They may not be as high-tech as those noise-cancelling headphones or as hip as that moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, all-over print T-shirt, but badges, buttons, lanyards and magnets are still essential items. They're the foundation of any good promotion, spreading your clients' brand messages one trade show, one conference, one refrigerator at a time.
It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it—so why not do it with the best products available? Check out some of our favorites below.
Double Agent
The Dual-purpose Badge Holder from Credential Express lets you keep a name badge or I.D. card in the front pocket, and business cards or other documents in the back slot. (That's where we keep our "Wallet Inspector" license.) The badge holder has a 1.25" round area on the back for a label or domed embellishment. For more information, visit www.credentialexpress.com.
Bright Idea
The Light Up Lanyard from Crown Products is made from PVC and has an L.E.D. light with a a flashing setting. It's great for use as a booth giveaway, but better for use as a signal flare on the trade show floor, because ahh! So many people! Send help! The lanyard comes in two colors and includes a one-color imprint. For more information, visit www.crownprod.com.
Heart of the Matter
Wear your heart on your sleeve (that's a weird spot for a badge holder, but hey, whatever works for you) with the Heart Secure-A-Badge from Evans Manufacturing. It features a 30" nylon cord, a snap lock and a slide clip, and comes in seven colors. Center and outer edge imprints are available. For more information, visit www.evans-mfg.com.
Savings Time
Even with a smartphone, it can be tough to keep track of everything that's going on. Whether planning for a business event or a wedding, EvPro's Domed Save-the-Date Magnet keeps the message in clear view on a fully customizable magnet with clear polyurethane coating. The magnet is available in 3x5" and 4x6" sizes. For more information, visit www.evproline.com.
Paper Route
The Laminated Paper Badge – Rectangle from Halls & Company measures 5x4" and features a digital imprint on both sides. Optional personalization allows for up to three lines of text, so you can get a sweet haiku instead of your name and title. The badge includes a slot for a lanyard or strap clip. For more information, visit www.idline.com.
Look Who's Talking
The Trash Talking Recycled Lanyard from Leed's promotes the message of sustainability by dropping mad harsh burns on you whenever you throw plastic bottles in the regular trash. OK, it doesn't do that—but it is made from certified recycled plastic, so the sustainability thing is true. The 1" wide lanyard includes a breakaway neck clip and detachable plastic clip with swivel hook. For more information, visit www.leedsworld.com.
Squared Away
Logomark's Badge Holder with Clip is made from lightweight plastic and has a retractable cord, a snap closure and a 0.75x0.75" decoration area. It holds a four-color vinyl imprint, so you can show it to your friends as proof that vinyl really is making a comeback and you were justified in holding onto those original-pressing Fleetwood Mac LPs for all these years. A full-color dome imprint is also available. For more information, visit www.logomark.com.
Swing for the Fences
Whether supporting the area pro, college or youth team, The Magnet Group's Professional Baseball Schedule Magnet provides a way to get a brand practically glued to refrigerators for the duration of the season. (Pretty good considering baseball season is approximately 487 weeks long.) The four-color imprint measures up to 0.75x4.5" on the 4.125x5.75" magnet. For more information, visit www.themagnetgroup.com.
Make Dome Dough
It's hard for us to take seriously any operation named after a novelty doughnut product, but at least we know that Navitor's Badges are legit. Available in four standard sizes, the badges come in gold or silver and are decorated in full color. They include a pin, swivel clip or military tack. For more information, visit www.navitor.com.
Pens Pal
We've been wearing this 3.5" Round Custom Button from Pepco Promotional Products all week, and while we still have no idea what an aquatic, flightless bird has to do with writing instruments, it's still rad. The button is made in the USA and features a metal backing and a four-color imprint. For more information, visit www.pepcopromotional.com.
Lanyard Impossible
Prime Line's Lanyard USB Memory Drive 2.0 includes a detachable flash drive, a locking clasp and a key strap. The flash drive comes five storage capacity options and is hidden in the lanyard, so you'll feel like Ethan Hunt on a covert mission to hack the CIA's computers and steal the NOC list, only without the whole "crawling through air ducts and hanging from the ceiling while also being Tom Cruise" thing. For more information, visit www.primeline.com.