The Name-Tags need to be completed (printed, assembled & taped shut) by the end of the day on Tuesday, the week of the festival so they can be inserted into registration packets.
Chances are good these days that the festival program was laid out on a computer. By using these files the number of errors can be reduced. These files can be copied and imported into a database or some other system that can be used to produce Name-Tags. A system can be located at or near the registration desk so that Name-Tag corrections and additions can be handled on the spot. Many packages of Name-Tags (not just labels) come designed to go through printers. They even include instructions of how to setup popular word processors for Name-Tag printing.
Name-Tags at the Festival serve multiple purposes:
The Name-Tag acts as a pass to get someone in to see the shows without a ticket.
The Name-Tag should make it easy to identify a person’s first name for easier introductions. Therefore, the first name should be big and bold.
The Name-Tag makes it easy to recognize a person’s show and ideally position/role. Try to make these items big too.
The Name-Tag will also have a small number, letter or decoration in the corner to indicate a Student Forum. (States only)
Name-Tags may also be used as meal tickets with an indication in another corner. (Optional)
The Name-Tag should contain:
First Name (Biggest)
Last Name
Position / Role
Name of play (Big)
Name of school
Student Forum Identifier (a single character or a room number) (small) (States only)
Meal Plan Identifier (might be a tag color or character or stamp) (small but special, not easy to forge)(Optional)
The Name-Tag might also use the festival logo in a corner or in the background.
At a State Festival, Name-Tags need to be rugged enough to survive 3 days of technical rehearsals, plays, Forums, workshops, fun & games and a couple of nights on the road. Pin-on plastic name tag holders work well. At a Regional Festival, Name-Tags only need to survive 1 day. Self adhesive name tags may be adequate. The name tags need to be large enough to hold all the above listed information. If plastic name tag holders are used with paper inserts, the inserts should be taped in and the holders taped closed.
The total number of Name-Tags will be around 400 at a state festival or 300 at a regional festival(don’t forget hosts). This means we need an efficient means of creating and printing Name-Tags.
The registration desk should have the ability to create Name-Tags on demand at the request of a director during the festival. This is for corrections and additions. If students are allowed to request name-tags without their director things may get a bit out of hand with requests for nick names or jokes.