Difference Between Proximity Card & Flexible Badge Holders

With more and more organizations moving to ID badges that feature higher levels of security, I have been seeing a larger number of my clients needing a durable badge holder that helps protect their security card and helps prevent the technology card from being lost. If you don't know the difference between the two, you’re in luck!

There are two types of badge holders that I generally recommend: proximity card holders and flexible badge holders (also referred to as front-load ID badge holders).

With prox card badge holders, the two sides of the badge holder are fastened on the bottom and sides, coming together at the top. This design allows a lanyard clip or attachment to easily fit through the slot and "lock" in the card.

A great many of my customers appreciate this feature – as well as the respective benefits – for a variety of very practical reasons:

• It helps preserve the image quality on the card which is what every type of badge holder should do.
• It restricts the card from falling out and losing a $5-$10 printed card, saving money and time for replacing or reprinting lost cards.
• It supports your security operation by preventing lost badges from getting into the wrong hands and potentially causing a security breach.

Flexible or front-load badge holders are exactly that – a lanyard can be connected to the holder on the top (one side), and you can remove or load any card in that holder without removing your attachment (lanyard, clip or badge reel). These are much more common for events, conferences, or off-site meetings; basically, locations or venues where you need to remove and replace your credentials throughout the day.

Proximity badge holders (also called prox badge holders) typically run similar in price with the front load holders. However, in the long-term, you would be looking at reducing costs in your ID card operation by choosing the prox card holder.

Most customers that had front load holders originally before speaking with me make the switch to prox holders. And they don't look back!