When I ran the signed cards through the color printer to add the photos and logo, the printer jammed and nearly perforated the cards. It jammed twice, so the cards were in sorry shape. The side where the picture was to go got all smudged, so now I've resorted to printing the colored side on regular paper and using a glue stick to affix the colored side to the signed ID card. Hmmm....scissors and glue stick. Reminds me of childhood.
Any good (or not so good) stories about fiascoes while making IDs?
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I just started doing the student IDs last month. No fiascoes yet, but here is what I do. I copy and paste the pictures to the template and print them off on the color printer. So, there is a sheet of colored pictures and a sheet of signed backs w/barcodes. Then I just cut them out, put them back to back, place them in a sleeve for the laminator and run them through. So far, no problems.
Chandra,
I feel your pain! I was complaining to Amy yesterday about IDs and she sent me here! I have been having the exact same problem. I also have resorted (in some cases) to printing out two sheets, using the paper cutter, and then laminating the two sheets together. There has to be an easier way! Like maybe not doing them!!! How's that for an idea? Anyone?? :)
To say nothing of the fact that half the time the students can't get it right anyway! Doesn't it seem logical to go left to right people?? It's not THAT hard. So then you spend 20 minutes trying to figure out which picture lines up with each signature/person. Grrr! Now I'm really getting fired up! Ok, I'm done venting.
dare I interject... since I don't do ID cards? :-) I do sympathize with your pain!
Here, the ID process starts at New Student Orientation. One of the Admissions Reps is the designated "photographer". The Administrative Assistants at the Front Desk then take care of making the IDs and getting students to sign them.
I had no idea I had touched on such a sore spot!
I like Cynthia and Kate's ideas of laminating two sheet together. Much better than using a glue stick.
As for keeping people in the right order for their pictures, it's almost a two-person process: one for walking people through the signing and the other to snap the pictures. Maybe we should get those "corals" like they use at Disneyland to keep people in an orderly line.
Blast. I even looked in a dictionary. I meant corral, not coral. But that could be interesting.
Office Depot sells some real nice business cards that kind of have a sticker that supports the perforated edges. I used them in Lake Elmo and they seem to work ok...
The most annoying part of the ID process is to have someone else standing next to the color printer in the mailroom when I set the template to print. Maybe the second runner up is that all Fall starts' pictures need to be re-taken 'cuz they were all taken with a dark background.
The best thing I've implemented with IDs is that I always have 2 administrative representatives assisting me who help with getting students to the student lounge (which has the best lighting) and one who helps me with getting the IDs right. :)
In St. Cloud, I've managed to arrange with admissions so when orientation is occuring, they come in the front door, they are greeted by a rep, who walks them down to the library. They are then greeted by another rep, who gives them their folder, goes over it with them, pick up their t-shirt, and have their photo taken for the ID. They then go in the room next door for orientation. I have them print their names on a piece of paper after their photo is taken, then have my IT guy download the photos afterward into a folder in 'my photos'. I usually start making them after the last orientation, and print the backs first (so the fronts don't smudge), and use the color laser printer in the office to print (used to use the color ink jet on the older cards, but it doesn't work on the newer (10 sheet) cards). IDs from orientation are done by the first week of class and I post flyers giving the times we are on desk for students to come in and pick up IDs. I also do make up photos the first 2 wks of the quarter, then email those students when they are done. When the students come in, I have them check the spelling of their names (get an occassional error-usually the ones who came in orientation as a walk-in--I get a list of new starts and re-enters from the office, so I can check spellings, but it only works up to the point where they have entered earlier and not last minute), then sign and date it, and I laminate it for them. I also have been making IDs for faculty and staff (with 'faculty' or 'staff' under their names--usually have to do that and the name in 8pt font to get it to fit).
When I print off the IDs, I print off a sheet on regular paper first (helps to check to make sure a photo isn't overlapping on another part of the ID before doing the ID)and this paper copy goes to the office, where they cut them apart and staple them into the student's folder, to help them remember, when they have to access a file for something.
I get the occasional jams in the printer, which is a pain, but it is sometimes because of static because of the dry air (pages stick and try to pull too many through).
My question to Hilary is, when do you get to put the barcodes onto the IDs? or do they get a seperate card for a library card?
I kind of dread when the reps take the pictures for the make up orientation. They have taken pictures on really bad backgrounds (brown brick)or have zoomed in so much, I'm lucky if I can get all of the face on the card, without cutting off the hair or the chin. I'm a little fussy but I like to have a standard format, otherwise, what's the point? (thinking driver's licenses, passports, etc, have to have a certian look).
Talk to your head of Admissions on your campus. At St. Cloud, I work hand in hand with the reps at orientation and the process goes very smoothly. The students walk into the library, so they get to see where it is and (usually) come back to pick up their IDs and get additional help.:-)
My problem is getting students to stay on the line when they are signing the ID. I have had some tell me that they want to use it as another form of ID. Isn't it important then that the signature and date show on the card. I remember once that I had to sign my drivers license three times before my handwriting fit into the box and the lady helping me stopped giving me a dirty look.
Hi everyone! My name is Angie and I live in Michigan. I just enrolled in Rassmussen's on-line classes. I was curious... does anyone know if they will be sending me a student ID card in the mail? Student discounts are great and I'd hate to have to miss out on them just because my classes are online:/
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