Most delays in printing orders come from artwork or data that wasn't ready when the order was placed, not from production itself. This checklist covers what to prepare before ordering ID cards, badges or patrol vehicle decals for a security company.
Before you order: artwork
- Logo file: a vector file (AI, EPS, or PDF with embedded paths) is best. If you only have a JPEG or PNG, send the largest version available — avoid logos pulled from a website, which are usually too low-resolution to print sharply.
- Brand colours: if your logo uses specific colours, note them (ideally as CMYK or Pantone values) so printed items match across badges, uniforms and vehicles.
- Company name and licence details exactly as registered: this avoids a reprint if the spelling on a badge doesn't match your trade licence.
Before you order: staff data
- Full names as they should appear on badges
- Badge or employee numbers, if used
- Photos, ideally passport-style with a plain background, if ordering individually printed ID cards
- Confirmation of whether you want a blank template (name written in later) or fully personalised cards per guard
Before you order: vehicle decals
- Vehicle make and model, or ideally a photo of the vehicle, so decal sizing is accurate for door panels and curved surfaces
- Confirmation of whether reflective material is required for night patrols
- Placement preferences (doors only, or doors plus bonnet, rear window, etc.)
Common ordering mistakes
The most frequent issue is finalising badge numbers or staff lists after the order has already gone to print, which means a partial reprint. The second most common is submitting a logo as a screenshot rather than the original design file, which prints visibly soft or pixelated at ID card size. Both are avoidable by working through this checklist before placing your order.
What happens after you order
Once artwork and data are confirmed, we produce a proof for your approval before full production runs, particularly for larger badge or decal orders. Reviewing the proof carefully at this stage — checking spelling, badge numbers and colour — is the last point where changes are quick and inexpensive.
Frequently asked questions
Do you design the logo for us if we don't have one?
We work from artwork you provide or approve. If you need a logo designed from scratch, let us know and we can discuss options.
What if our staff list changes after we've ordered?
Let us know as early as possible — changes before production starts are simple, while changes after printing has begun may mean a separate reprint for the affected badges.
Can you match an exact brand colour?
We do our best to match Pantone or CMYK values you provide. Screen colours (RGB) can shift slightly once printed, so providing a print colour reference helps accuracy.
This checklist supports our Security Services Company Printing Package.
