Ordering personalised items like ID cards or name stickers for a whole class or school is far faster and more accurate when it starts from one clean list, rather than a mix of emails, forms and last-minute additions. This process applies to both ID cards and name stickers ordered through our school and nursery printing package. Here's a step-by-step way to prepare that list.
Step 1: Choose One List Owner
Nominate a single staff member (usually a class teacher, admin coordinator or nursery manager) to own the final list for their group. Having one person responsible for accuracy, rather than collecting names from multiple sources, is the single biggest factor in avoiding spelling errors on printed items.
Step 2: Use One Simple Spreadsheet
A single spreadsheet with one row per student or staff member works better than a form response for each person individually. Include exactly the name as it should appear on the card or sticker, the class or group, and, for ID cards, any role or title that needs to be shown.
Step 3: Confirm Spelling Before Sending
Names are the most common source of reprints on personalised school items. Where possible, check spelling against an official enrolment record rather than relying on handwritten registration forms, and have a second person proofread the list before it's sent for production.
Step 4: Decide What's Included Per Item
For ID cards, confirm whether all students get a card or only staff and older year groups, and whether cards need a role, class or year printed on them. For name stickers, confirm how many stickers each child needs (a typical set covers several items such as a bag, bottle, lunchbox and a few books).
Step 5: Request a Proof Before Full Production
For larger orders, ask to see a proof of one or two representative entries, such as one staff ID card and one student name sticker set, before the full list goes into production. This catches formatting issues early rather than after the whole batch is printed.
Step 6: Plan for Mid-Year Additions
New students and staff join throughout the year, not just at term start. Keeping the same spreadsheet format on file makes it straightforward to submit a small top-up order later, rather than starting from scratch each time.
Timing It Right
Submitting your list early in the lead-up to a new term avoids the busiest production weeks. See our back-to-school printing timeline for a suggested schedule.
Not Sure What to Order Yet?
If you haven't decided which products your school or nursery needs, our buying guide for schools and nurseries is a good starting point before you prepare a list.
Ready to send your class list? Contact DXBStamps and we'll confirm the spreadsheet format that works best for your order.
