This article outlines common options for creating and printing badges for your event. The ClearEvent Badge Maker is a free browser-based tool you can use to design, preview, and print event badges from your own registrant or ticket holder data. You can also use third-party badge printing tools or badge printers if they better fit your event workflow.
Step 1: Gather Your Attendee Data From ClearEvent
First, export registrant or ticket holder data from ClearEvent. You can use this data in ClearEvent Badge Maker or another badge printing solution.
Click here to learn how to export Registrant data.
Click here to learn how to export Ticket Holder data.
NOTES: Depending on the badge printing solution you choose, you may need to edit the export file before importing it. For example, you may need to remove columns you do not plan to print, rename columns, or format values for QR codes.
Step 2: Choose A Printing Option
Option 1: Design And Print Badges With ClearEvent Badge Maker
The ClearEvent Badge Maker is a free web app from ClearEvent that makes it easy to create printable badge PDFs using templates and your attendee CSV data.
Open the ClearEvent Badge Maker.
Choose a badge template that is close to the layout you need.
Use the editor tools to add or update Text, Shape, Image, and QR Code elements.
In the left panel, click Import CSV and upload the attendee data you exported from ClearEvent.
Click field chips from the Fields panel to add registrant or ticket holder data to your badge.
Use Preview to review how the badge looks for different records.
Click Print Badges.
Choose a Sheet Format, select the badge sides to include, and decide whether to include Cut / Crop Marks.
Click Generate PDF, review the PDF preview, and choose which badge template you want to use (Avery, or n-up layouts) and then click Download.
Print the downloaded PDF using your printer's normal print settings. Ensure you use the appropriate Avery Template.
💡TIPS: Print a single test page first to confirm alignment before printing your full badge run.
📝NOTES: Not all badge templates support back printing. If you use the Back side, confirm that your printer, badge stock, and print workflow support it.
Option 2: Print Custom Badges Yourself Using the Avery Online Design Tool
You can use the free Avery online design tool to create badges.
Choose the Name Tags & Badges template for your badges.
Choose your desired badge layout and start designing your badge.
Click the Import Data button and upload the data you exported from Step 1 above.
NOTE: Avery limits the number of columns in the import file to 30 columns. Prior to importing your data, remove any columns from the ClearEvent data file you do not intend to display on your badge until the number of columns is 30 or less.
Map the fields from the data you uploaded to your badge design.
You can add QR codes that include specific registrant details. For example, you can embed data in the QR code like:
The registrant's Confirmation Code.
A URL to a website.
For lead retrieval purposes, you can include vCard contact details in the QR code (see below for more details).
You can then choose to have Avery print and ship the badges to you, or you can buy the Avery badge sheets and print them yourself on your own printer. For example:
Be sure to save your badge design so you can use it again later if you need to print more badges.
If you need to print badges for any last-minute registrations received by ClearEvent, you can re-import a recent data file from ClearEvent into the Avery design tool. Avery will allow you to print a single badge on the desired badge card stock.
Option 3: Print Badges Using A Third-Party Online Service
Upload the data you exported from Step 1 above to the badge printer's design and mail merge tool, and then place an order for the badges.
We recommend https://www.conferencebadge.com but there are other options.
The badge printer will then ship the printed badges ahead of your event.
Once you receive your badges, you can distribute them on-site at your event.
More details can be found on their website.
Option 4: Print Badges Yourself By Using A Third-Party Printing Solution
Import the registrant details from ClearEvent into a third-party solution like PlasticPrinters.
Either work with PlasticPrinters' Designer or your own Designer to design and pre-print your badges ahead of your event. For any last-minute registrations, use the software provided to print badges on-site using your own equipment purchased from them.
More details can be found on the PlasticPrinters website.
Adding A QR Code To Your Badge
To enable attendees, exhibitors, vendors, and other types of event participants to easily exchange or capture contact details from other participants, you can include a vCard QR code on your event badges. Using the ClearEvent Badge Maker makes it easy to add a vCard to your badge using the QR Code object.
A vCard QR Code is the digital version of a business card that can easily be saved on a smart device. Whenever a vCard QR Code is scanned on a mobile device, the device displays any contact details embedded in the vCard, such as contact number, email address, name, display picture, address, social handles, and other supporting links.
Using Your Mobile Phone's Built-In Camera To Scan A vCard QR Code
Modern mobile phones, including iPhone and Android devices, allow a vendor or exhibitor to scan a vCard QR code using the phone's built-in camera. Doing so will save the contact to the mobile phone's contact list.
Using A Lead Capture App To Scan A vCard QR Code
Some vendors or exhibitors may wish to bring their own lead capture mobile apps to scan a vCard QR Code, such as iCapture. This is because dedicated lead capture apps can often simplify the aggregation of captured leads across their company into a central CRM and may be preferred by some vendors or exhibitors. If so, the same vCard QR Code can be scanned by these applications.
If you have any questions, please chat with ClearEvent support for more help.