Tag Archives: photo id

How to Take ID Card Photos

custom idSo you are in charge of taking ID card photos for your organization. Of course, you know what you will hear. “This looks worse than my driver’s license.” Don’t worry, we have collected some tips that will guide you through taking best possible ID card photos.

To get the best pictures possible of your members, set up your camera in the following way:

  1. Set the digital camera to low resolution 640 x 480. You do not need a large picture to fit on an ID badge. Large pictures take up additional space on the computer.
  2. Set the flash to “flash fill”. Turn time and date stamps on the camera off.
  3. Test the camera by taking a few pictures prior to the picture shoot. This will help you feel comfortable with the particular camera and how it shoots. You can review the test shots to make sure that the pictures are correct in lighting and distance from the camera. Make sure that you photograph the person from the chest up and leave some room above the head.

For lighting and the setting we recommend the following:

  1. Have the person photographed stand against a neutral backdrop. (We use light blue.)
  2. For best results, the subject should wear clothing colors that compliment and contrast with their natural skin tone and hair color (i.e., brunettes should not wear brown; blondes should not stand in front of a beige wall).
  3. Make sure there is enough light in the room. Natural light will produce the best results. Often that is not possible. In that case, consider setting up various light sources around the room to provide the best results for your pictures.

When taking ID card photos, try these steps:

  1. Talk with the person prior to taking the picture. Let the person know if they need to smile or be serious. Let then know if something about their hair or clothing may need to be adjusted prior to the picture.
  2. Make sure that you photograph the person from the chest up and leave some room above the head.
  3. Hold the camera steady or use a tripod for best picture results.

If sending the pictures to a service bureau for custom card printing.

  1. Rename the .jpg picture to the person’s name, i.e., marysmith.jpg
  2. Send ID card photos to the ID badge service bureau through the method provided by your account representative.

Safe-Card ID provides all equipment and supplies needed to make IDbadges in house. We have ID card printers and ID software, cameras, and card making supplies. For more information on in house ID card systems or custom id cards for your organization, contact our experts toll free at +1 888-485-4696 or +1 704-535-5200.

Photo ID Service Bureau

custom id

There are hassles with creating id cards in house. From picking out the correct system that will incorporate all of the functions needed for your badge specifications to laying out the design of the card that will meet the expections of the boss. Sometimes, the job of printing id cards is easier to outsource to a professional id card company.

Companies that design id cards have had experience in various types of badge requirements. They understand the workings of the badge systems and can provide a custom card that will meet the current and proposed future needs of the organization. Allowing a company to complete the badges means that system upgrades for future badge requirements are handled by the id card company and no future worries about system upgrade requirements are necessary.

Custom ID card designers listen carefully to the needs of the client and ask questions needed to make sure that the card being designed will meet the application intended. The designers import the information provided and provide proofs for the client so that the badge result is clear prior to id card making.

Production staff carry out the process of making badges with the information provided. The badges may range from a simple black and white single side badge to a complex dual sided badge with encoded information.

A photo id service bureau puts the ability to produce photo ID cards in the hands of all organizations and contributes to more effective security systems.

For specific information about how the photo id card service bureau at Safe-Card ID can assist you with your custom name badge needs, contact us at 888-485-4696.