How To Design Event Name Badges (that don’t suck)
Updated March 25, 2025
Credit: Software Mansion
Designing name badges for events can be a tricky task. We’ve all been to a conference in Sydney or Brisbane where you end up squinting at someone’s chest, trying to decipher a tiny name tag—cringe! Not everyone has a designer on hand, and many struggle to create badges that are not only visually appealing but also functional and eco-friendly. Poorly designed name badges can lead to confusion, missed connections, and a negative impression of your event. After all, people warm up faster to others when they hear their own name—but that only works if the badge is easy to read!
At Terra Tag we understand these challenges and have pulled together this comprehensive lookbook to inspire and guide you. You’ll find practical tips, design examples, and a bit of creative flair to ensure your name badges are stylish, readable, and sustainable. Whether it’s a corporate summit in Melbourne or a government workshop in Canberra, these tips will help your badges stand out for all the right reasons.
Inspiration: A variety of creative, readable event name badge designs. Notice the bold attendee names, clear fonts, and distinctive colors that make each badge pop.
Key Name Badge Design Components
Credit Kayt Zahn
The Golden Trio
When designing conference badges, remember the golden trio: the attendee’s first and last name, their job title or company, and the event logo. This is the ID secret sauce and serves as a branding opportunity for the event. Make sure the first name is prominently displayed and easily readable from a distance. In many laid-back Australian business settings, first names are used casually, so let that first name shine.
Opt for sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica, which are clean, modern, and easy to read from a distance. Use font sizes ranging from 38 to 48 points to ensure that names and other information are legible at a glance. Maintain a hierarchy of information, with the attendee’s name in a larger, bolder font, followed by their role and company name in smaller supporting text. Bonus: For inclusivity, consider whether to include pronouns (e.g., “She/Her” or “They/Them”) in a subtle way. Some Australian organisations are adopting this practice to make everyone feel welcome—just ensure it doesn’t clutter the design.
While designing your badges, you might also consider the etiquette of wearing them. Check out our post on Name Badge Etiquette for tips on placement and usage (because a great badge design still needs to be worn the right way!)
Choosing the Right Event Badge Size
Credit: Vlad Radchenko
Size Does Matter
Selecting the appropriate size for conference badges depends on factors such as event scale, attendee demographics, and design preferences. Standard badge sizes include A6 (10.5 x 14.85 cm) and A7 (7.4 x 10.5 cm), which offer a balance between visibility and convenience. Larger badges provide more space for information and design elements but may be cumbersome to wear, especially for multi-day events or when mingling in crowded spaces.
Consider the practicality and visibility of different badge sizes to choose the option that best suits your event’s needs. For instance, a multi-day government forum in Canberra might opt for a bigger badge that fits agenda info on the back, whereas a casual networking night in Perth might go with a small, sleek name tag. Always test a sample—print a badge at actual size and have someone wear it. Can you read it from a couple of metres away? Does it feel too heavy or awkward? Finding that just right size will ensure your attendees are comfortable and identifiable.
Choose Colours Wisely
Credit: Aubrey Dockery | LexiLogo
Make or Break It
Colours evoke emotions and convey ideas in a split second. You need to choose wisely. We associate red with love or urgency (hence its use for Valentine’s Day and warning signs), blue with water and tranquility, yellow with happiness and sunshine, and green with nature and health. Select a colour scheme that complements your event theme and enhances readability. Use high-contrast color combinations for text and background to ensure names and info don’t blend into the badge. For example, black text on a white/light background or white text on a dark background is ideal; avoid light-on-light or dark-on-dark text that causes squinting.
Limit the number of colours used to avoid visual clutter and maintain a clean, cohesive look. Many Australian corporate events lean towards a couple of brand colours plus neutrals. A tech conference in Sydney might use crisp blues and whites, whereas a creative festival in Adelaide could play with a brighter palette—but in all cases, text clarity comes first. If in doubt, do the “blink test”: glance at the badge design for a second, then look away. Do the key details stick in your mind? If not, your colours might be distracting from the info.
Credit: EvenSix
It Hangs in the Balance
Balance is essential in design, ensuring all elements on your name badge are visually harmonious. There are two main types of balance: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical balance involves mirroring elements on either side of a central line, creating a formal, orderly look. Asymmetrical balance uses differing elements that complement each other, offering a more dynamic visual experience. Both approaches can work – it depends on your event’s vibe (a government seminar might favour symmetry, while a creative industry meetup might embrace asymmetry).
Distribute text, graphics, and blank space evenly across the badge. Avoid overcrowding one area with too much information, which can make the badge look cluttered. For instance, don’t shove logos, names, and scanning codes all at the bottom; give each its space. Balancing your design enhances readability and makes your name badges more visually appealing, contributing to a polished impression for your event.
Remember that badges also hang from lanyards or clips – balance applies here too. If everything on your badge is bottom-heavy (say, lots of text at the bottom), the badge might tilt forward. Try to center the main content area so it hangs straight. And speaking of hanging straight, it’s wise to use a lanyard that prevents flipping (we’ll touch on that in a moment).
Credit: Jane Woodall
Readability
Credit: Michael
A well-designed layout prioritises readability and hierarchy. Place key information, such as attendee names and affiliations, prominently at the forefront of the badge. This ensures attendees can easily identify each other and foster meaningful connections. Think about it: networking at an event in Melbourne’s convention centre is a breeze when you can catch someone’s name and company with a quick glance, without awkwardly squinting.
Use hierarchical typography to distinguish different levels of information. The attendee’s name should be in the largest, boldest font to draw attention immediately. Additional details, like job title or company name, should be in smaller, secondary fonts. This approach not only enhances readability but also creates a clean and organized look, making your name badges both functional and visually appealing. Plenty of white space (empty space) around text is your friend here—it helps the important info stand out.
Don’t forget practicality in pursuit of perfect design. A beautifully printed name is useless if the badge spends half the time flipped around or dangling too low to see. Make sure badges stay front-facing: using dual attachment points or a double-hole lanyard can stop them spinning around. Some Australian event planners even print the attendee’s name on both sides of the badge (especially if using a single clip lanyard) so that no matter which way it flips, you can still read it. The easier it is to spot someone’s name from across a Brisbane conference hall, the more effortless the networking will be.
Credit: Adell Creative Studio
Sponsor Logos and Branding
Credit: Olena Tulainova
Steal The Show
If applicable, include sponsor logos on the badge to acknowledge their support and boost brand visibility. Many large Australian events—think expos or charity galas—have sponsor or partner logos on their collateral. Ensure these logos are appropriately sized and positioned relative to the event logo and other elements. Think of the guest’s name as center stage, the event logo as side stage, and the sponsor logos as backstage. They’re all important, but there is a clear hierarchy.
Maintain a balance between sponsor branding and event branding to avoid overwhelming the badge design. One or two small sponsor logos tucked at the bottom or on the side can work; plastering five logos across the top will not only look chaotic but also detract from the attendee’s identity. By giving sponsors their due recognition without letting their logos steal the show, you keep your badges professional and attendee-focused. The star of the show—the attendee—remains the focal point, creating a harmonious and effective name badge. This way, everyone is happy: the attendee feels important, and the sponsors still get exposure.
Credit: Conduit Studio
QR Codes and Interactive Features
Credit: Walnut Creek Creative
Scan-tastic
Integrating QR codes and other interactive elements into conference badges can enhance attendee engagement and provide access to additional information. QR codes can link to event schedules, speaker bios, sponsor websites, or feedback surveys, adding a tech-savvy touch to your badges. For example, a quick scan could pull up the day’s agenda on a delegate’s phone, or connect them on LinkedIn instantly. In 2025, most attendees are comfortable with this technology—especially after all those QR check-ins at cafes and venues during the pandemic, Aussies are pros at pointing their phone camera and tapping a link.
Think about the specific needs and interests of your attendees when incorporating these features. A government summit might use a QR code for downloadable session papers, whereas a music industry conference could link to a Spotify playlist of featured artists. Provide brief instructions or an icon (“Scan me!”) so people know the QR code’s purpose. And ensure decent Wi-Fi or mobile reception at the venue so the codes actually work in real time.
When done right, these interactive touches offer a seamless and engaging experience, making your name badges both functional and fun. Just be sure the QR code doesn’t dominate the design—keep it small and out of the way of critical info (like on the bottom corner or on the back of the badge). That way, scanning is optional and unobtrusive.
Credit: Punch
Make It Shine or Leave It Behind
F-Ugly Need Not Apply
Put effort into the design because it truly matters. No one wants to wear something that looks like it was designed in the dark. Your guests have made an effort to attend your event—travelling, dressing up, taking time out—so you should match that effort with a stunning name badge design. In the world of events, little details can make a big difference in how valued attendees feel.
A well-designed badge shows you care about the details and value your attendees’ experience. It represents your event, company, or brand in the best light. People do judge a book by its cover sometimes, and a cheap-looking, flimsy name tag can send the wrong message (especially in a detail-oriented culture like the corporate and government scene in Australia). Make your badges something people are proud to wear, reflecting the quality and thoughtfulness of your event. Remember, first impressions count, and a fabulous name badge is a great way to start a conversation on the right foot. Let’s leave the f-ugly designs behind and create something everyone will love to sport on their lapel.
If you’re ever unsure, gather a small focus group—maybe a couple of colleagues or past attendees—and show them your draft badge design. Get feedback on readability and appeal. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes will catch something you missed (like how that patterned background actually makes the name hard to read, oops). It’s this extra mile that separates forgettable badges from ones that attendees rave about (“Did you see those cool plantable badges at the conference? How good were they!”).
Credit: Tyler LaCross
Credit: Julia Marsh
Credit: UnderConsideration LLC
Ditch The Plastic
Sustainable badges in action: Terra Tag’s seed paper name tags and natural fiber lanyards used at ICC Sydney 2024. These plantable badges biodegrade (and even grow native wildflowers) instead of ending up in landfill.
Keep It Green
Your guests don’t want to be handed a plastic name badge holder or a synthetic lanyard full of metal and plastic bits. Besides looking dated, those materials often end up as landfill fodder the minute the event is over. People are increasingly aware of the environmental toll; they don’t appreciate the impact these single-use plastics have on the planet—and nobody wants to feel guilty about a piece of trash with their name on it!
In Australia, sustainability isn’t a fringe concern; it’s mainstream. Many conferences now include a note in their info packs about recycling badges or have collection bins for lanyards at the exit. Some organisations (and even government departments) have no-plastic policies for events. Handing out old-school PVC name tags and vinyl sleeves at a 2025 Brisbane corporate summit will earn you a few raised eyebrows for sure. The writing is on the wall: ditch the plastic, or risk looking out of touch.
The good news is that eco-friendly alternatives for name tags are not only abundant, they’re downright awesome. Make the switch to eco-friendly materials. Terra Tag’s sustainable name badges and lanyards, for instance, are handcrafted with recycled or seed-infused paper and 100% compostable materials, offering a stylish and earth-friendly solution for your event. Our seed paper badges can be planted after use – instead of leaving behind waste, they literally leave wildflowers 🌱. Talk about a conversation starter!
By choosing biodegradable name tags, you’re sending a message that you care about more than just the bottom line. It’s a small change that can significantly reduce the waste from your event. Imagine hundreds of plastic sleeves avoided at a big Sydney convention, or thousands across all the meetings your agency runs each year. Those small choices add up to a big impact. And if you’re ready to go green, read about Eco-Friendly vs. Traditional Event Badges and Lanyards to understand the broader benefits of making the switch.
Explore our products and solutions at Terra Tag, and make your event one to remember—for all the right reasons. When your name badges look good, function well, and leave no trace, you’ve hit the trifecta of event badge perfection. Your attendees, your brand, and the planet will thank you for it!
