Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Name Plates

• Do you offer 'back-engraved' nameplates? What are the advantages to this style of engraving?

• Can I use my own type font?

• Can I add a logo?

• How many lines of text may I add to my nameplate? Do you charge extra for extra lines of text on the sign?

• How long does it take to get the nameplate?

• Do all lines in the nameplate have to use the same height?

• I want to order several hundred nameplates for our new offices. Can you give us a special price? And, how do I give you the list of names and titles?

• Can I get a sample of your nameplates for evaluation?

Name Badges

• Do I have to pay the set-up charge each time I order badges?

• Do you have a “make-and-hold” policy for your name badges?

• One of our employees has a pacemaker. Should we be concerned about using a magnetic attachment on the back of his badge?

• Is there an extra charge for a name badge with rounded corners?

• Several of our employees have new titles. [Dale] just got married and wants to use her new name. How can I order these new badges? Do I need to retype all of the information over again and redesign the badges?

• We need to order several hundred badges. The names and titles are in a spreadsheet. Do I have to type all of this information into your order forms?

• What is the difference between laser engraving and rotary engraving?

Do you offer 'back-engraved' nameplates? What are the advantages to this style of engraving?

Yes, we do. Some of our nameplates are back-engraved. Any of our signs can be ordered in this back engraved style. Just call us up and we can arrange to make your sign this way. There might be a small increase in the cost.

Back-engraved signs, to many, look quite professional. The signs seem “polished”. For others, back-engraved signs are easier to clean.

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Can I use my own type font?

We offer hundreds of fonts. To both simplify and speed up the nameplate wizards, we just show a few of the common fonts. Yet, please do not hesitate to contact us if you want a special font. We are actually quite “font-crazed” here. We love fonts and know what a difference a font can make to the look of your sign.

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Can I add a logo?

You may add a logo to your nameplate – generally at no charge. Also, make sure to look over our clip art and logo library. We already offer hundreds of logos and graphic images.

Be aware, of course, that not all logos are well-suited to engraving. The logo needs to be clean, have sharp edges. Bit-mapped images are often tough. Remember that a laser or knife is actually cutting into the plastic material and a good deal of fine detail can be lost.

We offer an upload wizard to help you transmit the logo to us. We will convert your logo, in most cases, to a single color. For certain, multi-colored nameplates, however, full-color logos are possible.

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How many lines of text may I add to my nameplate? Do you charge extra for extra lines of text on the sign?

We do not charge extra for more lines of text (unlike most others in this market). Frankly, it is rather rare that you see the “Gettysburg Address” on a nameplate. Our laser engravers make fast work of your text. This is the main advantage of our system. Your nameplate goes directly, and digitally, to our engravers. That saves time, reduces error and keeps costs low.

The number of lines to be used on a nameplate is really an issue of legibility and not a problem with manufacturing. Adding too many lines means that the type must be smaller and each line harder to decipher. Consider, always, a larger nameplate if you find that your message becomes small. Our nameplate wizards use an innovative “shrink-to-fit” technology that can result in important messages become too small. Generally, engraved nameplate type should be no less than 10 point. There are special engraving stocks, actually, that are made for super-fine type.

Over the last ten years, or so, engraving stock has changed so that the top layer is much thinner (now 5 mil). When compared to the earlier materials (which had a thicker 10-15 mil top layer), the new materials allow for finer engraving and smaller letters on your nameplate.

Please give us a call if you want to learn more.

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How long does it take to get the nameplate?

Most nameplates are shipped that same day or on the next day. Most nameplates are shipped via the post office. For central US locations near to our factory in Texas, USPS takes a 2-3 days. In other locations, the shipments take 3-5 days. For faster service, you may specify air shipment.

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Do all lines in the nameplate have to use the same height?

No. In many nameplates, the first line (with your name) is often larger than the other lines of text. The extra height is used to get attention, or for emphasis. The viewer can then come closer to read the rest of the text (typically the title or department).

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I want to order several hundred nameplates for our new offices. Can you give us a special price? And, how do I give you the list of names and titles?

Our pricing tables for our nameplate wizards only extend to quantities of 20, or so, nameplates at a time. Please call us and we can send you a quotation. Buying direct from the source will save you money. Also, we can accept your list of names and titles in any electronic form. Typically, we receive an spreadsheet or Word file that lists the data. Our systems easily import the data. Once this is accomplished, all of the nameplates are available, online, for instant reorders or edits.

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Can I get a sample of your nameplates for evaluation?

Unfortunately, we do not offer free sample service. The nameplates are generally one-of-a-kind and are quite expensive to produce. We encourage you, however, to place a sample order of just one nameplate. If you are not satisfied with the result, return the single sample, and we can issue you a credit for the same amount for any of our other products, including another nameplate. If you are, however, looking for a color sample, we do have small color chips we can send as samples. Please email us with your request and mailing address.

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Do I have to pay the set-up charge each time I order badges?

No, this is a one-time charge. When you reorder badges, add more names, change titles, etc. this charge is waived.

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Do you have a “make-and-hold” policy for your name badges?

I know that other name badge printers may have this policy. We do not. Given the volume of name badges we make every day and the speed of the digital presses that we use, we have a single fee to digitize (and often clean-up) your logo and create the initial template. Once incurred, you do not need to pay this fee again. Nor, do we insist that you commit to a certain number of name badges in advance.

This is a question that is often raised. The “make and hold” (or “shill-stock”) policy that you ask about is really a hold-over from traditional manufacturing techniques. With high fixed costs (and fees) to print a detailed logo, other companies wanted to recoup these costs up-front. Our “pay-as-you-order” policy is far easier for our customers to understand.

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One of our employees has a pacemaker. Should we be concerned about using a magnetic attachment on the back of his badge?

We do not have direct experience here. We have been told, however, that magnets may interfere with the functions of a pacemaker. Frankly, I see no reason to take a chance. There are plenty of other good attachment options to us.

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Is there an extra charge for a name badge with rounded corners?

Yes, you may request this as an option. Note that you want your name badge to have rounded corners in the “Notes to the Printer” section upon checkout. If your request rounded corners, however, we will not bevel the edges (unless you indicate this, as well, in your note).

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Several of our employees have new titles. [Dale] just got married and wants to use her new name. How can I order these new badges? Do I need to retype all of the information over again and redesign the badges?

I appreciate this question – it gives us a chance to highlight one of MyNameBadge’s advantages. Here how it works ... Once a badge is ordered, you will find it in your “Ready-to-Order” folder. Your designs, names, logo, etc. are all saved. Just find a badge that needs to be modified, click on it, make your changes and add it to the new cart. Please call and one of our CSR tech experts can walk you through the process.

Our re-order technology is easy-to-use, live online and another reason why so many customers order more and more badges from us.

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We need to order several hundred badges. The names and titles are in a spreadsheet. Do I have to type all of this information into your order forms?

Many of our customers prefer to send us a file with a list of names, titles and other information. This certainly saves time. Once we import your information is imported into our system, you will then have automatic and online access to each name badge. You can view the design, revise it and then order any one of the designs.

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What is the difference between laser engraving and rotary engraving?

If your work requires fine type or a detailed logo, ask for laser engraving.

Older engravers, typically use a carbide tip that rotates rapidly to cut into the engraving stock. These types of engravers have been used for literally hundreds of years. Generally, we use the more sophisticated laser equipment that produces a far more detailed image. Your logos and text are on your name badge are reproduced much more accurately. You may even laser engrave a photo on a name badge. As lasers get cheaper, more powerful and faster, you will see more and more name badges produced on laser engravers.

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