What Level of Badge Customization Is Right for My Organization?
Every organization has different needs and goals for their badge program. Some want a professional badge they can customize and order right away, while others want a badge designed exclusively for their organization. Understanding the different levels of badge customization can help you choose the option that best fits your goals, budget, and timeline.
Level 1 – Customize an Existing Badge
Best if: You want a professional badge with no development fees and no minimum order.
At Badge & Wallet, most customers like the ease of customizing an existing badge design. Because the underlying badge design already exists, there are typically no development fees, no tooling charges, and no minimum order requirements. With our VisualBadge™ builder, you'll see the design & pricing updated as options are selected. With more than 1,500 professionally designed badge styles available, most organizations can create a badge that reflects their identity without the cost and development time of a completely original design. Many customers are surprised by how much they can personalize an existing badge.
Step 1: Select a badge shape and design
Step 2: Customize it with options such as:
- Badge finish depending on rank and personal preference
- Department name
- Rank or title
- Choose from hundreds of standard center seals, including state seals and fire symbols
- Enamel colors
- Badge attachment to fit your use case
Step 3: Place your order. You'll receive your badge in about 4-6 weeks.
For most agencies and organizations, a custom badge provides the perfect balance of personalization, cost, and delivery time.
Level 2 – Customize an Existing Badge with Your Own Seal
A custom seal allows you to preserve the proven proportions and styling of an existing badge while incorporating your department's own identity. Many agencies choose this option to feature a city seal, state seal, department logo, university emblem, or anniversary design. For many organizations, a custom seal provides the perfect middle ground between customizing an existing badge and developing a completely original design.
- Custom seal featuring the seal of your city or town, or a custom circular logo
- Cost: Included with an order of 25+ badges (a fee applies to smaller orders)
- Timeline: About 8 weeks from start to finish, including artwork.
Best if: You want a badge that feels uniquely yours while using a proven badge style.
Level 3 – BadgeStudio
BadgeStudio is our program for developing a badge designed exclusively for your organization.
Instead of selecting an existing badge model, your organization creates a completely unique badge that may include:
- Custom shape
- Custom artwork
- Unique lettering layout
- Custom center seal
- Specialized design elements
- Department-specific symbolism
BadgeStudio projects require artwork development, tooling, and manufacturing setup. A typical project timeline is about 3-6 months.
Which Option Is Right for Me?
Most departments can achieve their goals with a custom badge built from an existing design.
If your organization wants a one-of-a-kind badge that cannot be created using an existing model, a BadgeStudio™ project may be the better option.
| Goal | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Create a professional badge quickly with no development process | Customize an Existing Badge |
| Create a distinctive badge featuring your organization's own seal or logo | Customize an Existing Badge with Your Own Seal |
| Develop a badge designed exclusively for your organization | BadgeStudio |
Still not sure? Please contact us and we'll help you choose the level of customization that best fits your organization.