Photo ID Badges, Your Magic Pass Cards

Who among us hasn't been saddled with one or more photo ID badges? These most ubiquitous of custom badges are the McDonald's of identification cards: they're everywhere, they're cheap, and they serve millions. Once your company or school has issued you your little plastic card complete with magnetic strip, name, personal information, and picture, you're one of the in-crowd.

A little personality for your school or employee ID badges

In this security-conscious world, plastic ID cards are just one more homogenizing influence striving to make us a safer society. But you needn't surrender your personality at the security door. Any personal item can use an accessory or two, and the same is true of your picture ID card. Most people hook their identification cards to leather or cloth lanyards or retractable plastic reels for ease of use, and there's no need for those to be plain. Or picture this: get yourself a fine leather wallet or holder to keep that precious plastic safe. As long as person or machine can read your name and personal information, it shouldn't matter how you liven up your company or school ID card.

Name and number, please

Your company or school isn't likely to give up its security cards anytime soon -- they're too handy for adding functions to, like grades at school or employee histories. (That little magnetic strip does come in handy). So don't just get used to them: take them into your life and make 'em your own. A personal touch can make plastic just a little less dreary.