Magnetic Badge Holders

A magnetic badge holder clips an ID badge to clothing with a magnet instead of a pin or a clip, so there are no holes in the fabric and no clip marks. It suits customer-facing roles, provided uniforms and anything made of delicate fabric. There are two cautions that matter: magnets can interfere with pacemakers, and they can damage magnetic stripes. We quote magnetic badge holders as an authorized Brady dealer. For the rest of a badge setup, see our badge accessories guide.

How a magnetic badge holder works

The holder has a magnet on its back. A second magnet or steel plate goes on the inside of the shirt or jacket, and the two hold each other through the fabric. Nothing pierces the cloth and nothing pinches it.

Holding strength is the thing to check. Light shirts and blouses need only a modest magnet, but sweaters, jackets and outerwear need a stronger one, or the badge slides down or drops off. If staff wear different weights of clothing through the year, choose for the heaviest.

Safety first: pacemakers and implanted devices

Manufacturers of magnetic badges warn that the magnets may interfere with pacemakers and other implanted medical devices, and they advise anyone who has one not to wear a magnetic badge. For those staff, use a clip, a lanyard or a badge reel instead, and check with their doctor if there is any doubt. If you issue magnetic holders to a whole team, offer a non-magnetic option to anyone who asks, without needing a reason.

Keep magnets away from magnetic stripes

A magnet strong enough to hold a badge through a jacket is strong enough to damage a magnetic stripe. If your ID cards carry a stripe for a time clock, cafeteria or door, a magnetic holder can wipe it, especially a low-coercivity stripe. High-coercivity stripes resist much better, but the safest answer for striped cards is a holder that does not use a magnet. Our magnetic stripe cards page explains the difference.

Prox and smart cards are not affected the same way, because they carry their data on a chip, not on a magnetic stripe.

Types of magnetic badge holder

• Magnetic ID badge holders take a standard CR80 ID card, the size of a credit card, in a clear vinyl or rigid sleeve with the magnet on the back.
• Magnetic name badge holders are larger and take a printed name insert rather than an ID card. They are common at events and in retail.
• Adhesive magnet attachments stick to the back of an existing badge and turn it into a magnetic one, with no separate holder.

When a magnet is the wrong choice

• Badges that get tapped on readers all day. A badge reel lets the card reach the reader without unclipping it.
• Badges carrying several cards. The extra weight pulls a magnet loose.
• Safety-critical settings. Where a badge must stay visible no matter what, a breakaway lanyard is more secure.
• Wearers with pacemakers or implanted devices. See above.

Ordering magnetic badge holders

Everything is quoted to order. Tell us the card size, how many you need, whether the cards carry a magnetic stripe, and what staff wear, and we will recommend the right holder and price it. If you are ordering ID cards at the same time, sort the holders in the same conversation: our ID card printing service prints the cards from your list.