Co-working spaces and business centers usually end up needing more than one type of ID credential, since members, day guests and long-term tenants all have different needs. Choosing the wrong format for the wrong group either slows down reception or wastes money reprinting cards too often. Here is how the three common formats compare.
Day Passes
Day passes are short-run, low-cost cards intended for one-off or short-term visitors: tour guests, freelancers trying a hot desk for a day, or attendees at a members' event. They are usually printed in batches rather than personalised per person, since the cost of individual printing does not make sense for single-use credentials. If your space runs regular trial days or hosts external events, keep a standing stock of blank or lightly branded day passes rather than reordering each time.
Member Cards
Member cards are longer-term credentials for tenants on a monthly or annual plan. These are worth personalising with the member's name, company and photo where relevant, since they are used daily over months rather than once. Many business centers print these per tenant company so each member's card reflects their own branding rather than a generic "business center" design, which also helps the member's own staff and clients recognise them. See our custom ID card printing range for format and material options.
Access Badges
Where a space uses electronic access control on doors or turnstiles, badges typically need to combine a printed design with the access credential itself (a chip or barcode). This is more of a hardware and access-control decision than a pure printing one; DXBStamps can produce the printed card face to match your existing access system, but confirm compatibility with your access control provider before ordering in bulk.
Which Should You Use?
- Short-term or one-off visitors: day passes, ordered in batches.
- Tenants on a plan of a month or longer: personalised member cards, one design per company.
- Spaces with electronic door or turnstile access: access badges matched to your access control system.
Most business centers end up using a combination: day passes for guests, member cards for tenants, and access badges layered on top where electronic entry is in place. See our main co-working and business center printing package for the full range these pair with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we reorder day passes without redesigning them?
Yes, once you have a standard day-pass design, reordering additional batches is straightforward.
Do member cards need to be reprinted if a tenant company rebrands?
Only for that company's cards; other tenants' cards are unaffected since each is produced to its own design.
Not sure which combination fits your space? Get in touch with our team or see the full printing package for co-working spaces and business centers.
