How to create custom event badges in idloom

Before you start

To follow this guide, you need:

• An idloom account on any plan (default foldable ticket badge with QR code) or on Premium plan or above (full badge designer with custom layouts and segment rules)
• Check-in is available on all plans
• Event organizer or account owner permissions
• An active event in your idloom workspace
• At least one participation type or attendee category configured on that event (required for segment-based badge assignment)

How does the badge module work in idloom?

Badge creation in idloom works in two layers. First, you define a badge layout at the account level: the physical dimensions of the badge, how many badges fit on a printed sheet, and the page orientation. Second, you build a badge design at the event level: the visual content (text, logo, QR code, shapes) and the segment rules that control which attendees receive which design. The layout is reusable across events; the design is event-specific.

Badges can be exported as a PDF for pre-printing through a vendor, or printed one at a time directly from the check-in screen during the event.

How do you create a badge layout in idloom?

Badge layouts define the physical format of the printed page. They are created once at the account level and are then available to every event in your workspace.

1. In the left sidebar, navigate to Account > Badge layouts.
2. Click the green + New badge layout button in the top right.
3. Set the page width and page height to match your print paper size (for example, A4: 210 mm × 297 mm).
4. Set the number of columns and rows to define how many badges will appear on each page.
5. Configure the margins (top, bottom, left, right) to match your printer's bleed and cut lines.
6. Click Save. The layout is now available to all events in your account.

 You can create multiple layouts, for example one for A4 pre-print and a separate one for on-demand thermal printing. Each badge design on an event is linked to one layout.

How do you design a badge for an event?

Plan note: the badge designer (custom layouts, visual editor, segment rules) is available on Premium plans and above. On all plans, idloom automatically generates a default foldable ticket badge with a QR code for each attendee, usable directly at check-in without any configuration.

Once a layout exists, you build the badge design inside the event. Each event can have multiple badge designs, one per attendee segment.

1. Open the event editor and go to General > Badges.
2. Click the green + New badge button and select the layout you created in the previous section.
3. Enter a badge name (for example, "Speaker badge" or "Standard attendee"). This name is internal only and helps you distinguish designs when multiple exist.
4. Use the badge designer toolbar to build the visual layout:

• Text block: add static text or dynamic variables such as attendee first name, last name, company, participation category, or event name. Variables pull live from registration data at print time.
• Image: upload a logo or background image. Images can be set as full-bleed backgrounds or positioned as elements.
• Shapes: add squares, circles, triangles, or lines to create visual structure or color bands.
• QR code: define what the QR code encodes. For on-site check-in, link it to the attendee QR code so staff can scan it at the door.
• Alignment and layering: use the arrangement tools to align elements, adjust stacking order, and set colors.

5. Click Preview in the left menu to review the badge with sample data before saving.
6. Click Save.

How do you assign different badge designs to different attendee types?

Each badge design is linked to a segment rule that controls which attendees receive it. Segment rules run at print time, so changes made after registration still apply.

1. Inside the badge designer, go to the Segment section.
2. Choose one of the following targeting rules:

• All attendees: this design applies to every registered attendee on the event.
• Participation type: apply the design only to attendees registered under a specific participation type (for example, Speaker, Exhibitor, or VIP).
• Form field value: apply the design based on how an attendee answered a specific registration form question (for example, dietary preference or workshop selection).
• Option or tag: apply the design to attendees carrying a specific option or tag added during or after registration.

3. Click Save.

If an attendee matches multiple segment rules, idloom prints the design with the highest priority. Drag the badge designs in the Badges list to reorder priority.

How do you print badges in idloom?

Pre-printing before the event

To pre-print badges for all registered attendees:

1. Open the badge design and click Print badges in the left menu.
2. Review the badge preview with live attendee data.
3. Click Download PDF. idloom generates a paginated PDF using the layout you defined, ready to send to your print vendor.

Pre-print PDFs reflect registrations at the time of export. Re-export if new attendees register after you first download.

Printing on demand at check-in

For on-demand printing during the event:

1. Open the check-in module in the idloom app.
2. Find the attendee by name, QR code scan, or search.
3. Click the Print badge button next to their name. idloom sends the badge to the connected printer immediately.

 The check-in module applies the same segment rules used in the designer: each attendee automatically receives the correct badge design without manual selection by staff.