Which name badge fixing should you choose?
A pin clip comes as standard. A magnetic fixing adds $2.00 per badge and leaves no holes. For most teams the decision comes down to what people are wearing, and how often the badge goes on and off.
Design your badgeBoth fixings hold a badge perfectly well. The difference is what they do to the garment underneath, and how quickly a badge can be moved between uniforms. Here is the honest comparison, including where magnetic is the wrong answer.
The short version
Choose a pin clip if your team wears aprons, workwear, hi-vis or anything sturdy, badges stay on one garment, and you want the lowest cost per badge.
Choose magnetic if your team wears good shirts, blouses, knitwear or tailored uniforms, badges move between garments daily, or anyone has told you they will not put a pin through their own clothes.
Magnetic costs $2.00 more per badge, at any quantity. On a team of 20 that is $40, which is usually less than replacing one ruined shirt.
Pin clip, the standard fixing
A metal pin with a clasp, mounted on a plastic plate glued to the back of the badge. It is what arrives unless you ask for something else, and it is included in the badge price.
What it does well
- No extra cost. It is part of the badge price.
- Very secure. Once clasped it does not come off by accident.
- Nothing to lose. The fixing is part of the badge, so there is no second piece to misplace.
- No interference. Nothing magnetic near cards, devices or medical equipment.
Where it causes problems
- It puts two small holes in the garment, every time.
- On fine or knitted fabric those holes do not close up, and staff notice.
- Moving a badge between garments repeatedly multiplies the damage.
Magnetic, the no-holes option
A magnet mounted on the back of the badge, with a separate metal plate that sits behind the fabric. The badge holds through the garment with nothing piercing it.
What it does well
- No holes, ever. The reason most people switch.
- Kind to good fabric. Silk, knitwear, tailored shirts and branded uniforms all survive it.
- Fast to move. On and off in a second, which suits staff who change garments through a shift.
- Sits flat. A magnetic badge tends to hang straighter than a pinned one.
Where it causes problems
- It is $2.00 more per badge.
- A hard knock can dislodge it, so it suits front-of-house better than physical work.
- The backing plate is separate, and it can be left in a shirt that goes through the wash.
- It should be kept away from anything magnetically sensitive.
What each sector usually picks
- Hospitality. Magnetic. Front-of-house staff wear their own good shirts more often than people expect, and pinholes become a grievance quickly.
- Healthcare. Mixed. Magnetic is kinder to uniforms, but pin clips are the safer default around patients with cardiac devices and in wards where badges take knocks.
- Schools and early childhood. Magnetic, strongly. A pin near small children is a hazard nobody needs to argue about.
- Retail. Magnetic for branded uniforms, pin clips where staff wear aprons or tabards.
- Councils and public service. Usually magnetic for office and counter staff, pin clips for field teams in hi-vis.
- Events and conferences. Pin clips. Badges are worn once, cost matters more than fabric.
Quick way to decide
If you answer yes to two or more of these, order magnetic.
- Staff wear their own clothes rather than issued workwear
- Uniforms are tailored, knitted or expensive to replace
- Badges move between garments during a shift or week
- Someone has already complained about pinholes
- Your team works closely with young children
- Badges are worn daily rather than occasionally
Can I change my mind later?
Yes. The fixing is chosen per order, not per account, so your next order can be different from your last one without any setup charge or artwork rework.
You can also split a single order, with some badges pinned and some magnetic. Choose "Mix of both" on the enquiry form and tell us who gets what in the notes, and we will sort it out.
What you cannot easily do is convert an existing badge. The fixing is bonded to the back during manufacture, so switching means a new badge.
Fixings, answered.
Still not sure? Phone us and describe what your team wears. We do this every day.
Ask usHow much does a magnetic name badge cost?
A magnetic fixing adds $2.00 per badge to the standard price, at any quantity. So at 20 badges the badge is $9.50 plus $2.00, or $11.50 each excluding GST.
Are magnetic name badges strong enough?
Yes, for normal wear. They hold securely through shirts, blouses, knitwear and light jackets. They are not the right choice for physical work where the badge will take direct knocks, and a pin clip is more dependable there.
Will a magnetic badge damage my phone or access card?
Modern phones and chip-based access cards are not affected by ordinary contact. Older magnetic stripe cards can be wiped by prolonged direct contact, so keep the badge out of the same pocket as a stripe card.
Can I order some magnetic and some pin clip in one order?
Yes, and there is no extra charge for doing so. Tell us how many of each you need and who gets which. The setup fee is per artwork, not per fixing type.
What happens if I lose the magnetic backing plate?
Get in touch and we will send replacements. They are a small part rather than a whole badge, so it is a cheap fix.
Do you offer any other fixings?
Pin clip and magnetic are our two standard options. Other fixings are made to order, so ask us if you need something specific and we will quote it.
Made your mind up?
Pick your fixing on the enquiry form and see the estimate update as you go.