Real published prices by material and quantity, what actually drives the cost up, and the fees you should never be charged.
Badge quotes swing wildly because every supplier bundles something different into the unit price. Here's what the numbers actually look like once setup, artwork and proofing are already included, which they are on every order here.
Printed plastic badges
Full-color printed plastic starts at $8.99 for a single badge and steps down to $6.49 each once you hit 1,000 or more. Swapping a pin for magnetic backing adds about $1.00 per badge at every quantity tier.
Premium aluminum badges
Premium badges print full color onto aluminum and start at $12.49 each, dropping to $9.99 each at 1,000 or more. This is the tier most hotels, dealerships and clinics land on, since the badge holds up to daily wear far longer than plastic does.
Executive and solid metal
Executive metal badges start at $15.85 and reach $13.35 each at 1,000+. Laser-engraved metal name tags start at $15.99. There's no ink layer to wear off with engraving, which is why it's the standard pick for law enforcement, security, and long-tenure staff.
Specialty items and signage
- Bling / rhinestone badges: from $27.49
- Real wood badges: from $14.95
- Chalkboard reusable badges: from $11.00
- Desk and wall name plates: from $18.95
- Office and ADA signs: from $24.99
- PVC photo ID cards: from $12.00
- Badge accessories (reels, lanyards, holders): from $1.50 per five-pack
What legitimately changes the price
- Material and thickness
- Fastener choice; magnets cost more than pins
- Size beyond the standard 1 x 3
- Rush production of 1-3 business days instead of the standard 5-8
- Individually boxed or per-location packing on multi-site orders
Fees you should never pay
No setup fee, no artwork fee, no die charge, no proof fee on ordinary orders here, and shipping is free over $200 across the US and Canada. If a competing quote lists a fee for any of those, ask exactly what it covers before you compare unit prices.