Custom Badge Size Guide: 44mm vs 58mm & Name Badges
Choosing the right size is the difference between a badge people are proud to wear and one that ends up in a drawer. Here's how to pick, in plain terms.
Almost every order starts with the same question: which size do I need? The honest answer is that it depends on what goes on the badge and how far away people need to read it. This guide walks through the four sizes we press most, with real use-cases so you can decide in a minute.
The quick comparison
| Size | Best for | Fits | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44mm round | Return gifts, kids, giveaways, large quantities | A photo or logo + one short word | Compact, light, budget-friendly per piece |
| 58mm round | College fests, events, promotions, staff photos | Photo + name + a line of text | The all-rounder — reads from a distance |
| 50×50mm square | Logos, QR codes, modern branding | A square logo or full-bleed design | Crisp, contemporary, stands out |
| 68×24mm name badge | Staff, conferences, volunteers | Full name + role/designation | Professional, reusable, pin or magnet |
44mm vs 58mm — the real decision
This is the choice most people are actually making. Both are round button badges; the difference is roughly 30% more surface area on the 58mm.
Choose 44mm when you're ordering in high volume and want the lowest per-piece cost — return gifts at a wedding, birthday party favours, or a school giveaway where the design is simple: one face, one logo, or a single word. It's light on a shirt and kids love it.
Choose 58mm when the badge has a job to do — carrying a name, a photo and a line of text, or being seen across a room. It's the default for college symposiums, corporate events, election campaigns and product promotions. If you're unsure, 58mm is the safe pick.
💡 Rule of thumb: if the badge needs to be read (a name, a hashtag, a role), go 58mm. If it just needs to be seen (a face, a logo, a mascot), 44mm does the job for less.
When a name badge beats a round badge
If your main goal is showing a person's name and designation, a round badge fights the shape of the text. A 68×24mm rectangular name badge is built for it — the wide format fits a full name comfortably, looks professional at reception desks and conferences, and comes as a magnet version that won't put pin-holes in nice clothing. For staff who wear them daily, this is the one.
Squares and modern branding
A 50×50mm square badge is the quiet favourite of designers. Square suits logos, app icons and QR codes better than a circle, and the flat edges read as more premium. If your brand identity is geometric, the square carries it well.
Artwork tips that apply to every size
- Mind the curve. The outer 3–4mm of every button badge wraps over the edge. Keep faces, text and logos inside the safe area — our online designer shows it automatically.
- Go high-resolution. Aim for 300 DPI at the final size. A photo that looks fine on a phone can turn grainy when pressed onto a badge.
- Contrast wins. Bold colours and clear type read far better than pale gradients under the badge's glossy film.
- Bleed to the edge. Extend the background past the trim so there's no white rim if the print shifts a hair.
What about price?
Per-piece cost drops sharply with quantity — bulk is where custom badges get genuinely affordable. Smaller sizes cost a little less than larger ones, but the bigger lever is how many you order. You can check live pricing for any size and quantity on each product page, or browse the full range on the button badges and fridge magnets pages.
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