INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST AFFILIATION:
If you have ever attended one of my presentations or seminars, you’ve heard me promoting the merits of using a magnetic name badge holder over all other forms of name tags or badge holders. I have been searching for the right company to provide us with quality magnetic badge holders at reasonable prices. Eureka! I found Name Tag, Inc.

As part of my continued focus on providing you with the Best of the Best, I’m proud to announce Name Tag, Inc. as Advanced Etiquette’s exclusive and recommended provider of all things related to name tags and badges. To kick-off this relationship, we have updated an article on the 12 Points on Name Tag Etiquette on the company’s blog.   Also at:  [http://nametagexperience.com/nt/12-points-on-nametag-etiquette/]

Please use Name Tag, Inc. for any name tag/badge products. In fact, mention the name Advanced Etiquette to receive a 10% discount on any product.

Read what I say about Name Tag, Inc.here… also at:  [http://nametagexperience.com/nt/syndi-seid-and-advanced-etiquette-names-name-tag-inc-their-exclusive-recommended-name-badge-provider/]

IMPORTANT: Please do not confuse www.nametag.com with another company that has nearly the same web site name, with an “s” added to the word “tag.” www.nametag.com is the one to remember!

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Name Tag Etiquette – Printing Name Tags

Providing well pre-printed name tags is one of the most effective investments you can make to the success of an event, especially a networking event. Yet many people waste this great opportunity to help guests meet and greet at an optimum level. Here are a few tips to insure your name tags not only look great but are also the most productive.

First and last name, please: I am not a believer in printing name tags with the first name larger than the last name or ones with only a first name. Obviously you will be drawn to seeing the person’s first name, yet when the last name is too small to be easily read, I often totally dismiss it and as a result never remember the person in their totality… especially when the person has a common first name. A person’s full identity is derived from knowing both a person’s first and last name. Always print both the first and last name on two separate lines, with additional information onto a third line, as helpful.

No honorifics and titles: Do not place honorifics such as Ph.D. or Dr. or titles such as President or Sales Manager on a name tag. You can learn this information as you converse. Only at special events will honorifics or titles be helpful, such as a doctor’s convention where the doctor’s specialty may be nice to know or a company wide conference to know in what city various participants work.

Affiliations only: In addition to a person’s first and last name, the only other information to print is a person’s company or organization name. This is a great way to begin conversations.

Positioning counts: While we should all be proud of the organizations with which we are affiliated, it is not as important to see the name at the top of the tag as it is to view the person’s name. Logos should be placed at the bottom of the tag in a font size that’s easy to read, yet not equal to or larger than the font size used for the person’s name. Again, what’s most important is a person’s name, not the organization. This is particularly true when I gaze across the room. I want to see the person’s name, not the logo I already recognize.

MOST IMPORTANTFont size matters: Name tags must be printed in a font size that practically fills the tag. It is a total waste of printing space to print tags in small or 12 point type. I always begin printing tags using 40 point type. Depending on the length of the names, I will then adjust the font size to fit the names on each line. Some names are larger or shorter, so adjust the font size accordingly.

Question of the Month: Do you have pet peeves about name tags and how they are printed or used? Let us hear about them in the Reply section at the end of this article below.

Be sure to forward this newsletter to anyone who has the task of printing or creating name tags. Email me with any questions you have about how to best print your tags. I’d enjoy hearing from you.

Related articles:
—View Syndi’s You-tube video on Name Tag Etiquette here, or at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmDCb4neM64

— Read Syndi’s original Advanced Etiquette article on this topic here, or at:  https://www.advancedetiquette.com/newsletter/apr06_issue.htm

ANNOUNCEMENT: Summer series of seminars for pre-teens, teens, parents, and adults are about to take place in July.  See www.AdvancedEtiquette.com/schedule for complete details and registrations.  Early discount period ends soon.

Happy Practicing!


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    1. Dear Liz:

      When typing a person’s name Mr. John Doe Jr. who is a junior, it does not have a comma between the last name and the word Jr. Commas are used to separate designations, such as John Doe, Ph.D. Thank you for the question.

    1. Dear Sharlene: Yes, black is best for printing the names on a white background name tag/badge. It’s the best color to be seen at a distance. Color color does show as well. Color can be used in your below logo or other identifier. The key to printing good name tags is to make the names in as large a font size as possible. Good Any time you and all want to send me a name tag for review, I’d be happy to do it. Good luck!

  1. I’m joining the party two years late – but let me agree with the first commenter…. Brenda!

    No matter how well or thoughtfully a name tag is prepared, it serves little purpose except ‘hide & peek’ if not worn properly.

    A name tag should be pinned, affixed, stuck on the upper right breast pocket of the wearer. The reason simply, that’s where the eyes focus while shaking hands and greeting another person.

    Failing that – it should be placed on the left breast pocket. It should NEVER be attached to a handbag, briefcase, hat, or elsewhere—

  2. Everything in this world has some kind of etiquette .The name tags are one of the most important thing in the business industry. Thanks for sharing the etiquette of the name tags. And keep sharing the information like this in the up coming pages.

  3. I need to prepare name tags for 70 people who are mostly physicians from one organization. Is it more proper to type it Dr. John Smith or John Smith, MD?

  4. I feel a bit strange commenting on a board that was created so long ago but wanted to thank the author for creating this. I am creating name badges for my tour group and this advice, although not targeted towards this audience in particular, was invaluable. And the comment and answer on whether to add a comma after the name and before the suffix i.e. Jr or Sr, was also very helpful. Again, thank you so much!

  5. I don’t think a name is needed on name tag. I actually feel uncomfortable with it. The purpose of a name tag is to make sure there is no trespasser wondering on the floor. It is not a personal identity. A picture and company name are good enough to prove the one wearing it work on the floor.
    Maybe it was not the case in 2010, but today the name tag is also an electronic access key to a building or a room or a section of a building. The name on the lost tag leads the trespasser to the specific desk directly.

    1. Patrick: We must keep in mind there are multiple uses for name tags, as you’ve mentioned. However, should you use one at social and networking events, your name certainly must be on it. It is after all a “Name Tag.” Thank you for the comment.

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