Specialist ID Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Welcome to Specialist ID! We’re proud to provide secure ID solutions for businesses, schools, government agencies, healthcare providers, and event organizers nationwide. Below, you’ll find answers to common and critical questions.
General Questions
We provide high-quality badge holders, lanyards, badge reels, RFID accessories, custom credentials, and security solutions for businesses, schools, healthcare, government, and live events
Our products are manufactured in a range of countries, including the USA, Taiwan, China, the UK, and others. We offer options that support specific compliance needs, such as Buy American and Berry Amendment requirements.
- Our student-facing lanyards feature breakaway safety clasps and meet CPSIA standards.
- Many of our products are latex-free and/or BPA-free — ask us for guidance if this is a concern.
- We offer antimicrobial badge holders and lanyards to support infection control needs.
Yes, we have sustainable options. Contact us for details.
Our UEI number is FHHSLAAFPUD2.
Ordering & Customization
Yes! If you don’t see what you need on our site, we can create a custom solution. Visit our Custom Product Collection page to learn more.
Lead times depend on the specific product and are listed on each product page. Small custom orders produced in-house usually ship within 1–2 days. Larger quantities or items made at our overseas facility require more time; for example, an order of 500 custom lanyards typically takes about 3–4 weeks.
To ensure timely delivery—especially during busy periods like back-to-school—placing your order early is the best approach.
We provide proofs after an order is placed due to the production time required.
Yes — we offer sample kits for qualified businesses and large orders. Request yours here.
Yes, we can get very close—often close enough that the difference is barely noticeable. If you provide your logo in a high-quality format and include the PMS/Pantone reference of your color, we’ll use this information to match it as accurately as possible. Need extra confidence? You can request a digital proof or printed sample—just let us know in the order notes.
Absolutely. We specialize in printing badges with variable data—including sequential numbers, names, job titles, barcodes, QR codes, and more. Whether you're managing a small event or a large-scale operation, we can personalize each badge based on your data. Just send us a spreadsheet (Excel or CSV format works best) with the information you'd like on each badge, and we’ll take care of the rest. Each badge will be individually customized to match your layout and data. If you require assistance setting up your file, or want to preview a few samples before we print the full batch, we’re happy to assist. Just let us know.
Shipping & Delivery
Most orders ship from our Miami main warehouse, but depending on availability, they may ship from another one of our partner locations in the US.
Stock items usually ship the same business day or within 1 business day. Custom orders vary, see individual product pages or contact us for an estimate.
Yes, we can ship to multiple addresses and drop-ship directly to stores, campuses, or distribution centers.
We offer expedited shipping and rush processing where possible. Contact us for urgent requests.
Returns, Refunds & Issues
We accept returns of unused items within 30 days of delivery. See our Returns & Exchanges page for details.
If you receive a damaged or defective item, contact us right away so we can make it right.
We’ll notify you immediately with alternatives or expected restock dates.
Payments & Billing
We accept major credit cards, PayPal, and ACH payments through approved channels.
Yes, we accept purchase orders. Our UEI (Unique Entity Identification) number is FHHSLAAFPUD2
Yes, we can coordinate billing for enterprise clients.
K-12 School
For schools, standard shipping typically takes 3–5 business days within the continental U.S. Expedited options like 2-day or overnight shipping are also available at checkout. Custom or bulk orders may require extra processing time before shipment. Our team will provide tracking and estimated delivery dates once your order ships.
The minimum order for custom school-color lanyards is typically 100 units, with bulk discounts starting at 500. For a quantity of 500, standard lead time is around 10–15 business days after artwork approval. We recommend placing your order by early to mid-July. Rush production and expedited shipping options are also available if you're on a tighter timeline.
Yes, we offer pre-bundled ID starter kits that include everything you need: printer, ribbon, blank cards, and badge holders. These kits are ideal for schools looking for a plug-and-play solution without having to source individual components. We’ll match the right supplies to your needs, whether for staff, students, or visitors. Our team can also help you customize a kit based on your school’s size and badge usage.
Yes, we’re happy to provide lanyard or badge holder samples in multiple colors so you can evaluate before committing. This helps schools match exact school branding or uniform requirements. Just let us know your preferred colors and product types. We’ll ship out a sample pack quickly and at no cost.
Yes, we provide print-ready template files for custom lanyards, ID cards, and badge reels that your graphic-arts teacher can easily modify. These files are available in common formats like AI, PSD, and PDF, with correct sizing and bleed settings.
K-12 District / Multi-school procurement
Yes, we can set up a parent account with sub-accounts for each school or campus under your district. This allows each location to order independently while you receive a single, consolidated invoice for easier procurement tracking. We’ll work with your finance team to align with your billing and PO requirements. Just let us know how you'd like the structure set up, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Yes, we honor state purchasing cooperatives and can work with districts using Sourcewell or similar contracts. If your district is part of a co-op, we’ll ensure pricing and terms align with your agreement. Just provide your contract or membership details, and our team will handle the rest. We’re experienced in supporting public sector purchasing requirements.
Yes, we can lock in pricing for up to 12 months to align with your district’s budget cycle. This helps you plan purchases across campuses without price fluctuations. Just let us know your projected quantities and items. We’ll provide a formal quote with guaranteed pricing for the full term.
Yes, we can pre-kit lanyard and holder sets by school and pack them in clearly labeled cartons for easy distribution. This saves time at the district level and ensures each campus gets exactly what they need. Just provide your breakdown by school and quantity. We’ll handle the sorting, labeling, and shipping for a ready-to-distribute solution.
We offer full logistics support for multi-location shipments, including packing and shipping to all 30 addresses under a single PO. You can provide a simple spreadsheet with campus names, addresses, and quantities. Our team will manage the fulfillment and provide tracking for each delivery. We ensure a smooth, coordinated rollout across all your schools.
College
Yes, we offer PVC, magnetic-stripe, and smart cards that are fully compatible with HID iCLASS SE readers. Our cards support technologies like iCLASS SE, Prox, and MIFARE, depending on your system. Just let us know your reader model or facility code, and we’ll match the correct card type. We also offer custom pre-printing and encoding services to streamline deployment.
We stock top brands like Fargo, Evolis, and Magicard—trusted options for college ID card programs. In addition to selling printers and consumables (ribbons, cleaning kits, cards), we also offer technical support and service guidance. While we don’t perform on-site repairs, our team can assist with troubleshooting, warranty coordination, and part replacement. We’re here to ensure your printer stays running smoothly year-round.
Printers purchased through us come with the manufacturer’s full warranty, typically ranging from 1 to 3 years depending on the model. We can also help you add extended warranties or hot-swap service plans for faster replacements. While we don’t offer on-site repairs, our support team will coordinate directly with the manufacturer for warranty service or loaner units. We’re your point of contact for any issues post-purchase.
Yes, we can preload sequential student ID numbers and encode magnetic stripes to match your system requirements. Just provide a data file or encoding format, and we’ll handle the rest. This saves your staff time and ensures consistency across all cards. We also offer barcoding and smart card encoding upon request.
Yes, we offer eco-friendly lanyards made from recycled PET, bamboo fiber, and other sustainable materials. These options are perfect for colleges looking to reduce their environmental impact. They’re available with custom printing and the same safety and comfort features as standard lanyards. Just ask for our eco-conscious product line when requesting a quote or sample
Universities
Yes, we offer punch-out integration with platforms like Jaggaer, Coupa, and Ariba. Our system supports real-time ordering and budget controls. We’ll work with your procurement team to ensure a smooth setup. Integration aligns with most university e-procurement standards.
Yes, we offer custom volume pricing for orders of 25,000+ badges. Discounts are based on quantity, material, and print complexity. Send us your specs, and we’ll provide a tiered quote with bulk savings. Contract pricing can also be locked for future reorders.
Yes, we can warehouse your inventory and release it on a Just-In-Time (JIT) schedule to support multiple campuses. This helps reduce on-site storage needs and ensures timely delivery. We’ll work with your team to set up a release calendar or on-demand system. Tracking and inventory updates are provided regularly.
We use secure, encrypted file transfer protocols to protect student photo and data files during upload and storage. Access is limited to authorized staff involved in pre-printing. Files are deleted after order completion unless otherwise requested. We follow FERPA-compliant handling practices to ensure student privacy.
During peak semester periods, we offer priority service-level agreements (SLAs) for replacement cards, typically shipping within 24–48 hours. Expedited production and delivery options are available for urgent needs. We recommend forecasting volume in advance to reserve capacity. Our team ensures fast turnaround without sacrificing print quality.
Hospital (single facility)
We offer a selection of antimicrobial badge reels, holders, and lanyards specifically designed for healthcare settings. These products are treated to inhibit microbial growth and support Joint Commission infection-control standards. Look for items labeled “antimicrobial” in our product listings. Our team can provide a curated list tailored to your facility’s compliance needs.
Yes, our Badge Buddies follow common hospital color standards like RN = blue, MD = black, LPN = green, and more. We offer both standard role colors and custom printing if your facility uses a unique scheme. All are designed for quick role recognition in clinical settings. Let us know your role list, and we’ll match or customize as needed.
Yes, all of our healthcare lanyards come with breakaway safety clasps to meet patient-safety and compliance requirements. This feature helps prevent choking or entanglement risks in clinical environments. We recommend these for all patient-facing staff and areas with safety protocols. Compliance documentation is available upon request.
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Yes, the majority of our healthcare products are latex-free and BPA-free, making them safe for sensitive environments. This includes badge holders, lanyards, and reels commonly used in hospitals. Product specs clearly indicate if they're hypoallergenic and toxin-free. Let us know if you need documentation for compliance or patient safety review.
For emergency situations, we offer same-day processing and overnight shipping on in-stock, compliant accessories. Orders placed by 2 PM ET can typically ship the same day. We prioritize healthcare compliance needs, especially during audits. Contact our team directly for immediate support and inventory confirmation.
Health-care System Admin (multi-hospital)
Yes, we can help you standardize SKUs across all 15 hospitals for consistency and simplified ordering. We’ll provide a custom catalog with assigned SKUs tailored to your ERP system. Our team will assist with data formatting and upload support. This ensures accurate, system-wide tracking and procurement control.
Yes, we participate in GPO contracts, including Vizient, Premier, and others. If your hospital is a member, we can align pricing and terms accordingly. Just provide your GPO details, and we’ll handle the rest. We're experienced in supporting healthcare procurement compliance.
Yes, we offer consolidated monthly invoicing across multiple locations to streamline your billing process. This eliminates the need for individual credit card transactions per order. We’ll group purchases by department or facility as needed. Our billing team can customize the format to match your internal requirements.
Yes, we support both auto-replenishment schedules and vendor-managed inventory (VMI) programs for hospitals. This ensures you never run low on critical ID supplies. We monitor usage and restock based on agreed thresholds. Custom reporting and inventory visibility are included.
Yes, we offer TAA-compliant lanyards and badge holders suitable for federal procurement. We also have select products that are Berry Amendment-compliant, made in the USA with domestic materials. Let us know your compliance requirements, and we’ll match the right products. Documentation is available upon request.
While we don’t currently hold a GSA Schedule, we can sell through authorized 4PL platforms like AbilityOne and DOD EMALL via our distribution partners. We’ll coordinate to meet your agency’s procurement guidelines. Let us know your preferred channel, and we’ll route the order accordingly. Compliance and documentation support is included.
Yes, our RFID-blocking badge holders include models that are FIPS 201-certified for federal identity protection. These holders meet government standards for shielding PIV, CAC, and other smart cards from unauthorized scanning. Look for FIPS 201 certification in the product specs. We can provide documentation upon request.
Yes, we offer a range of Made-in-USA products that meet Buy American Act requirements, including badge holders, lanyards, reels, and accessories. These items are manufactured domestically with qualifying materials. Just ask for our Buy American-compliant catalog, and we’ll match your needs. Certification and origin details are available for procurement files.
Yes, we accept ACH and net-terms payments through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). We’re fully set up to support federal agency billing workflows. Just provide your agency's IPP details, and we’ll ensure smooth onboarding. Payment confirmations and invoice tracking are included.
Yes, we can color-match lanyards to your exact PMS brand colors for consistent retail branding. We also offer custom printing with sequential employee ID numbers. Just send your PMS values and ID list, and we’ll handle the rest. Proofs are provided for approval before production.
Standard lead time for 5,000 new-hire kits is typically 10–15 business days. For faster turnaround, we offer rush production with fees based on timing and customization needs. Rush orders can ship in as little as 3–5 days. We recommend forecasting monthly to lock in production slots.
Yes, we can drop-ship new-hire kits directly to your stores or distribution centers nationwide. Each shipment can be labeled and packed per location for easy handling. Just provide your shipping list, and we’ll manage the logistics. Tracking and delivery confirmation are included.
Yes, we offer a self-service reorder portal where you can access saved artwork, SKUs, and past orders. It simplifies repeat ordering for branded items like lanyards, badges, and kits. Multiple users can log in with role-based access. Custom catalogs and pricing can be preloaded for your team.
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