We live in a day and age where people are spending more and more time outdoors than ever before. Whether it is a grand EDM festival or a local art showcase, the turn up is usually quite impressive and this has turned the events planning industry into something very lucrative. One of the most important and possibly most sensitive aspects of a successful event is security and access control. Over the years, the industry has seen everything from basic ticket stubs and name tag passes to finger print recognition and ID wristbands as a way to control access. However, the ID bands have proven to be the simplest yet most effective modes of control. So, how do you make the most of these identification wristbands for your event or party? Below is all you need to know.
Types Of ID Wrist Bands
Wristbands that can be used at events as modes of identification are available in many different forms. The main ways to classify them is in terms of material used, fastening mechanisms and identification mechanisms. Below are the categories and examples of types of wristbands that you have to choose from in each.
1. Material used
Tyvek
If you are looking for something that is simple yet strong and durable then Tyvek is the way to go. This wristband material is basically synthetic high density polyethene. It is great for one time use and its water proof nature makes it perfect if there is a chance that the wearer will sweat a lot or get into contact with water.
Vinyl
This is by far the most common material used to make wristbands. The fact that it is super light yet super strong is what makes it so popular. However, print on the surface tends to wear out quickly and the passes can only be used for one event. This is a good thing because it helps prevent cases of pass reuse but is a bad thing because it means that if you are getting the passes for your crew you will have to get new ones regularly.
Plastic
Plastic wristbands are a great combination of durability and cost effectiveness. Plastic is one of the most easy to acquire materials out there. It is for this reason that production is so cheap. Plastic wristbands are therefore a great idea if you are planning on issuing them as gate passes to many people as with concerts and major festivals. Plastic also happens to be one of the most resilient materials in the market. This makes the wristbands durable and can therefore be given to staff and crew as full-time pieces for repetitive use.
Holographic material
Holographic material wristbands are without a doubt the most intriguing. The unique design features various shapes and patterns that give the surface a funky 3D feel with a nice bit of metallic sparkle to it despite being non-metallic. Their unique appearance makes them a favorite among souvenir collectors and will make your event's attendants very happy.
2. Fastening mechanism
Barrel lock
This is most commonly seen with ID bands made out of cloth. It is secure and chances of the band coming loose and falling off are very low. It also allows easy adjustability allowing comfortable fit on different wrist sizes.
Lobster clasp fastening
This is also more commonly used with fiber material wristbands than any other material. It is as secure as barrel locks and a lot easier to use. However, it is not possible to adjust the size with this lock.
Toggle fastening
With toggle fastening, one side of the strap has a T shape and the other has an open slot through which the T-shaped end enters. This is common with Vinyl and Tyvek material wrist bands.
Plastic rivet buttons
This is without a doubt the easiest to use and the most secure. It works with vinyl, Tyvek and fiber wristbands. The ease of use also makes it perfect for events with kids.
Full circle design with no fastening
Finally, there are those wristbands that are complete and therefore need no fastening mechanisms. This is seen mainly with the silicon material bands. The problem with them is the fact that you cannot adjust to fit different wrist sizes.
3. Identification mechanism
Event information in print
This is the simplest form of wrist band identification. With these bands, information about the event is printed on the surface for easy verification. It usually involves the event name, venue and date. This is to avoid reuse.
RFID chips
RFID refers to Radio Frequency Identification and the chip contains information that can be used to verify access. This is a great band type to use with people like regular event staff and crew as well as repetitive guests. The wrist bands in this case can also be used to grant access to restricted areas such as backstage and equipment stores.
Bar codes and QR codes
These are verified by code readers and can be used either on a one-time basis or with repetitive event attendees.
Where Can You Use Wristbands Effectively?
Using wrist bands as identification can prove to be very effective in access control if applied correctly. Below are some of their applications and events where their use is most beneficial.
Where?
Wrist bands are applied in different events as a way to grant access and verify permission to be in attendance. Below are some of the most common events where wrist bands can be very effective.
· Concert and festivals
· Clubs and bars
· Weddings
· Pool parties and beach parties
· Art showcases and galleries
For what
· Distinguishing between guests, crew and others in attendance
Wristband identification can and will help you control access to restricted areas during your event. This helps to maintain order and promote security. That way, you won't have a guest wandering backstage at your concert or ending up in the kitchen of your restaurant.
· Meal tickets
If you are providing meals or refreshments at your event, wristbands will come in handy in identifying your crowd. This helps avoid misunderstandings and confusion. They are a lot more secure than tickets and are less likely to get lost or stolen.
· Non-event applications
Other than their usefulness as access control methods for events, ID wristbands have many other applications including their use as bus passes and for cashless payment using RFID chips.
Pros And Cons Of Wristband Identification
If you decide to go with ID bands as your access control method, you have a lot of good and bad to look forward to. Below are some of the pros you can expect and a couple of disadvantages that you can work with and are therefore not deal breakers.
· Pros
1. They are reliable- One of the most important characteristics of any security and access control method is reliability. Wristband IDs are the most reliable in terms of being difficult to duplicate. This way, you don't have to worry about things like fake tickets and stamps making their rounds among your target crowd and flopping your investment in the event.
2. They are customizable- With wrist bands, the only limit in terms of design is your imagination. This allows you to personalize each piece to reflect the event's theme or the company's core principles. You can have something as simple as a colored band with the event name, place and venue. Or you can settle for something more flashy and eye-catching with loads of color and patterns to make it something that even the people attending the event will be proud to wear.
3. They act as indirect advertisement
More often than not, people who attend events where wristbands are the form of identification usually wear the bands long after the event concludes. This means that everywhere they go they act as indirect ambassadors for your cause getting people interested in future events like it. This also works when the wristbands are issued in advance.
4. They are collectables
If your event is awesome, people will want souvenirs and wristbands are as good as it gets. Your crowd gets something that helps them not only get into the event but also to remember the great time they had had.
5. They are secure
If you invest in high quality wristbands for your event, chances that they will get lost or stolen from the guests or the crew are pretty much slim to none. This is what makes them so much better than traditional pass methods like ticket stubs and name lists.
6. They are not messy
Finally, unlike body stamps, wristbands are not messy at all. So your guests don't have to worry about losing their identification because of sweating or getting wet at your pool party or other similar events.
· Demerits you can work with
1. They can easy get lost if poor quality material is used
High quality wristband design is not simply about the material and aesthetics but also about the fastening mechanism and the wrist fit. If yours have a weak fastening mechanism and aren't adjustable, chances that your guests or crew might end up lose theirs increase significantly.
2. They are expensive to make
The cost of production usually varies depending on the design and degree of customization you want. More often than not, it is significantly more expensive than other access control methods like name lists, tickets and body stamps. However, it is safe to say that it is a worthy investment as all the pros are proof that you will be getting great value for your money.
Tips On How To Make The Most Out Of Wristband Identification For Your Event
It goes without saying that wristband identification for most events is a great idea. Below are a few tips on how to maximize their use for a successful event.
· Customize
For your event wristbands to stand out, you will need to add a personal touch. One way to do this is by customizing and including something that the wearer can relate to the event or the company behind it. The most cost effective and efficient way to customize is by including the logo on the band. This way, you make the most of the limited space to not only have a mode of identifying the wearer but also identifying yourself.
· Be diverse
Another way to make the wristbands stand out is by embracing diversity. Instead of going with one color or pattern, try out many different designs even if it is for the same event. The only thing that should remain constant is the identifying information. Other than that, take it as an opportunity to embrace and practice diversity.
· Invest in high quality materials and fastening
Whether the wristbands are to be used once or repetitively, the quality of material and mechanism of fastening are two very important factors to consider. These ensure that the band is not only secure but also durable for people who want to keep theirs as souvenirs.
· Multi-use wristbands for regular attendants
You can save yourself a lot of money by having reusable wristbands for regular staff and crew. In this case, investing in ID bands that use bar codes or RFID recognition is a great idea. That way, you will not have to worry about getting new bands with every event.
· Issue some of the bands in advance or give souvenirs
This helps you take advantage of the exposure as a form of indirect advertisement to create more hype for the event and others to come.
Bottom line
After all is said and done, you can never go wrong with wristband identification for your event whether it is a high budget festival or a simple club opening. They help customize the entire event and might actually end up attracting more people to the event than other ordinary passes. So whether you are planning an invite only wedding or a huge homecoming party, wristband IDs are definitely worth considering in order to give your event that personalized and unique flare it needs to make it different. The tips and information above should also help you make the most of this identification method to make sure that everyone goes home happy.
