Having badges are essential for in-person events. A badge will be an attendee's identification card to which you can add relevant information about your event. With Accelevents, you can design your badge and print it too!
Note: Our Badge Designer is for simple designs and is not intended to replace professional graphic design tools such as Photoshop or Canva.
Topics:
Design Your Badge
Login to your admin console and go to Registration > Badges
Select one of the preset badge templates sizes or create a custom-sized badge
Enter your Badge Name and associate it with one or more Ticket Types. If you create a custom badge, enter the dimensions for your badge.
Once in the Badge Designer, use the left-side navigation menu to start customizing items visible on your badges.
Widgets - add information that will be populated with attendee or event data.
Shapes - choose and adjust different shapes, sizes, colors, and border weights.
Text - add customized text and change the font, size, colors, and alignment.
Images - Upload images that will appear on your badges.
Click the element once to add it to the template. If the element is selected, you will see the options to customize it on the left side menu. To delete an element, click the trash icon or drag it outside the template.
To see what your design would look like, click the Preview button.
Differences Between Profile QR Code and Expo Lead QR
When creating your badge, you may see 2 options for QR codes. See the functions below to know which of them you want to include in your bade.
The Expo Lead QR can be used for the following:
Scan from the admin app to check in to the event
Scan from the admin app to check in to the session
Scan from the attendee app to give the exhibitor the attendee information
Note: The QR code from the ticket in the order confirmation email and the QR code from your profile in the attendee app functions the same as this.
The Profile URL QR can be used for the following:
Scan from phone (not app) to redirect you to a browser where it will ask you to log in to the event (if you do not have the app on your phone)
Scan from phone (not app) to direct you to the attendee app (if installed on your phone)
Set Your Print Resolution
Setting your print resolution is especially important for Zebra printers because they can be 203, 300, or 600 DPI, and the setting determines the size of your printed badge.
Click the gear icon on the upper right header
Select the correct DPI for your printer
Click Save
Print Your Badge
Our badge printing is designed to print a single badge per page. While it will work on a standard printer, we recommend using a Label Printer such as a Zebra ZD420, 500, or 620 thermal printers.
Print a Sample Badge
To print a sample of your badge template, click Print Badge from the upper right header.
Print Attendee Badges Through the Admin Console
Go to Attendees > Check in Attendees
Search for the attendee
Click Print Badge
Print Attendee Badges Through the Staff Portal
Go to your event landing page
Click Event Staff
Click Check in Attendees
Search for the attendee
Click Print Badge
Print Attendee Badges Through the iPad Admin App
Badge printing can be done in the iPad admin app when an attendee checks in through kiosk mode. To make this work, you must connect your printer via wifi and enable kiosk mode in the iPad admin app.
Part 1: Connect the Printer
Log in to the admin app.
Click the menu icon [ Ξ ] in the upper left corner
Choose Settings > Printing
Make sure the toggle for “Enable Printing” is turned on
Connect to a printer via wifi by adding your Network Printer IP address. For Zebra printers, you can typically use port number 6101.
Tap the Connect Printer button
Part 2: Activate Kiosk Mode
Note: Kiosk Mode is only available through an iPad
Click the menu icon [ Ξ ] in the upper left corner
Choose Check In Attendee
From your Active Events page, you can choose an event to manage.
Click Activate Kiosk Mode in the upper right corner
Part 3: Check-In Through the Kiosk
After selecting the Kiosk mode, your attendees can check in on their own by scanning their QR code or entering their name and ticket number.
Check-In with QR Code
Click Check in with QR Code from the touch screen.
Hold up your QR code to face the camera. This will scan your code.
If the QR code is valid, it will automatically check-in. Then it will move you to the next page.
Click Print My Badge
Claim your badge from the printer. That's it you're done checking in!
Check-In with Name and Ticket Number
Click Check in with Search from the touchscreen
Enter your name and ticket number
Click Search
Click Check In
Click Print My Badge
Claim your badge from the printer. That's it you're done checking in!
Frequently Asked Questions
What printers do you recommend for badge printing?
Our badge printing is designed for a Label Printer such as a Zebra ZD420, 500, or 620 thermal printer.
If you're using a "GX" series Zebra printer, please consult us if it's not working; it may require a different SDK to integrate with our Mobile App.
Some printers may not work with the Mobile App, like Epson, because the SDK is not compatible, but it should work fine if you're printing through your laptop via a web browser.
What printers do you recommend for printing wristbands?
The Zebra printers mentioned above can handle wristband-size media.
I want to print a badge sheet using a standard printer. Is that possible?
Yes, it is possible to print to a standard printer. However, the system is designed to print a single badge per page, unlike labels for an envelope.
If you plan on using a standard printer and want badge sheets that hold multiple badges on one sheet page, we recommend using a label printing tool to print your badges.
An Epson printer will not work using our Mobile App, but it should work if you're using your laptop via the web interface.
If you have a thermal printer, it will use a thermal transfer ribbon, which allows it to print any kind of media just like a standard ink printer would use because the ribbon just transfers the ink onto the paper/media.
Is it possible to print multiple badges on one sheet via a standard printer? Or will it only be one badge per page?
When using a standard printer, our badges will print only one badge per page. Our badge printing is designed for a Label Printer such as a Zebra ZD420, 500, or 620 thermal printer.
We don't want to buy a printer, can you provide one?
We don't provide them. However, you can rent them from Choose2Rent where most of our clients borrow printers.
What can I do if the printed result is not as precise as my design?
Label printers can vary in the precision of their prints, both horizontally and vertically. Some variation is expected.
You can use the printer's built-in print adjustment settings to dial in the location of the print.
Does the printer have to be on the same network as the iPad when checking in attendees?
Yes, if you are using an IP connection to the Printer. If you can't use an IP connection, you can connect to the printer using Bluetooth. However, note that there are inherent stability issues with Bluetooth and a limit of 30 feet distance between the device printing and the printer. We recommend using an IP connection if at all possible.
Does the printer need to be Wifi or Bluetooth-ready?
It doesn't necessarily need to support Wifi or Bluetooth. It will work if the printer is plugged into a cell router via Ethernet. Connection type doesn't matter for printing compatibility.
When checking people in, do I need to connect the iPad to the internet?
Yes, the Accelevents Admin App looks up attendee information from the cloud and needs to be connected to the internet.
Being connected to the internet also lets all your devices know who has already checked in and prevents multiple check-ins or badge prints by the same person.
Why can't I find the Kiosk mode on the Admin Mobile App?
Kiosk Mode is only available on iPad devices currently.
What is DPI?
DPI stands "for "Dots Per "Inch" and is a measurement of the resolution of a printer. Lower resolutions print faster and can use less ink. Higher resolutions are slower but result in a higher-quality printout.
Troubleshooting
Here are some general troubleshooting tips (in order of the first to last steps) that we recommend if you encounter issues with your printer.
1. Calibrate
Steps for calibrating ZD620 or ZD420 using SmartCal Media Calibration:
Ensure media is loaded correctly, the printer cover is closed, and the printer power is ON.
Press and hold PAUSE + CANCEL buttons for two seconds.
The printer will FEED and measure several labels. When done, the printer will return to READY status.
Note: if the printer fails to recognize and correctly calibrate to the media, please refer to the Manual Media Calibration procedure
Steps for calibrating ZD620 or ZD420 using Manual Media Calibration:
Activate Advanced Mode by pressing PAUSE for 2 seconds. Press PAUSE while the Status indicator is illuminated yellow to start Manual Media Calibration.
The Media indicator will flash yellow then the Pause indicator will flash. Open the printer and verify the media sensor is in the center position for label gap (transmissive) sensing.
Remove 3 inches or 80mm of labels from the liner. Place the label-less area of the liner over the platen (drive) roller with the leading edge of the first label under the media guides.
Close the printer and press PAUSE once. The Media indicator will flash as the media liner is measured. When complete, the Pause indicator will begin flashing.
Open the printer and reposition the media so that a label is located directly above the movable sensor. Close the printer.
Press PAUSE once. The printer will FEED and measure several labels. If the printer is able to determine the correct media type (gap, black mark or notch) and measure the media length, the printer will return to the READY state.
Steps for calibrating ZD500:
Press the select button under the HOME icon then use the navigation buttons to highlight the TOOLS icon.
Press select (✔️) then navigate to MANUAL CALIBRATION.
Press the select button under START.
The printer will report LOAD BACKING - PRINTER PAUSED.
Press the PAUSE button to continue and the printer will calibrate the media sensor.
When the printer reports RELOAD ALL - CONTINUE, press the PAUSE button to continue.
The printer will feed and measure several labels then the display READY when done.
2. Align the Sensor
If you're using badges with a hole in the backing, ensure the yellow sensor is positioned, so the gaps pass over it. Otherwise, position the yellow sensor in the middle of the printer.
Note: if your badges have punch-out sections for lanyards, position the sensor to the side of the center punch-out for the best results
3. Check the Media Type
Ensure that the correct media type is selected:
Press HOME, then select (✔️) SETTINGS.
Navigate to MEDIA TYPE.
If your badges have a black bar on the back, select MARK. Otherwise, select GAP/NOTCH.
4. Check the Sensor Type
Ensure that the correct sensor type is selected:
Press HOME, then navigate to the SENSORS menu.
If you're using badges with a hole in the backing, choose TRANSMISSIVE. If you're using any other type, choose REFLECTIVE.
How to Troubleshoot Specific Errors
Media Out
Do a calibration and ensure the yellow media guides fit closely but not tightly against either side of the badges.
Note: Sometimes a label may be missing somewhere in the middle of your roll of labels (not at the end of media). This will also cause a ‘Media Out” condition. To recover, just pull the media past the missing label until the next label is over the platen roller. Close the printer.
Cutter Error
Open the printer by pulling the release levers forward.
Remove the badge stock from the printer and check the slot at the front for any debris that could be obstructing the cutting area.
Reinsert the badge stock, making sure it’s inserted correctly with the black bar on the back of the badges facing down and the FEED DIRECTION arrows pointing toward the front of the printer.
As you insert the badge stock, double-check for debris in the slot at the front of the printer that could obstruct the cutting area, then firmly close the printer.
If the screen shows 'HEAD OPEN', simply open the printer again, and then close it firmly. The error should disappear.
Press the pause button. The cutter will activate, and a badge will feed forward. If the cutter is still jammed, repeat these steps until you see 'PRINTER READY'.
Badges are Cut at the Wrong Place
Do a calibration. If it is still cutting at the wrong place, try to adjust its TEAR OFF settings.
Adjusting TEAR OFF settings:
Press HOME then navigate to TEAR OFF menu.
This setting defaults to 0, set your desired settings (you may encounter several rounds of trial and error) For fanfold badges, a setting of 65 is recommended.
Note: Lower numbers move the media into the printer by the specified number of dots (the tear line moves closer to the edge of the label just printed). Higher numbers move the media out of the printer (the tear line moves closer to the leading edge of the next label).
Press the HOME button twice to save your settings.
Printer Feeds Out Blank Badges Before Printing a Badge
This is likely because the media type selection is wrong or the badges are facing the wrong direction.
If the media type is already set correctly, double-check that you loaded badges in the right orientation. The "FEED DIRECTION" indicator on the back of the badges should face down toward the table, and the arrows should point toward the front of the printer.
Print is Too Light
The darkness settings can be adjusted. Press HOME then navigate to DARKNESS menu.
Set the darkness to the lowest setting that provides good print quality. If you set the darkness too high, the label image may print unclearly, bar codes may not scan correctly, the ribbon may burn through, or the printhead may wear prematurely.
Print is Crooked
Ensure that your badge stock is aligned correctly. If roll stock is used, ensure the yellow guides aren't too tight against the badge. If fanfold stock is used, carefully align the stack of badges with the printer so they enter the printer as straight as possible.
Print is Too Close to One Edge
If the print is too close to one edge of the badge, you can adjust the position of the print to center it. This involves two settings: Label Top and Left Position.
Adjusting LABEL TOP settings:
Press HOME then navigate to LABEL TOP menu.
Adjust settings to shift the position of the image vertically on the label if necessary.
Note: Negative numbers move the image higher on the label (toward the printhead). Positive numbers move the image farther down on the label (away from the printhead) by the specified number of dots.
Adjusting LEFT POSITION settings:
Press HOME then navigate to LEFT POSITION menu.
Adjust settings to shift the position of the image horizontally on the label, if necessary.
Note: Negative numbers move the left edge of the image toward the left edge of the label by the number of dots selected. Positive numbers move the edge of the image toward the right edge of the label.