Avery’s name badge product range
Avery splits its name badge range across three approaches. Pre-cut paper inserts slide into reusable plastic holders — the cheapest format for events that recur. Adhesive badges stick directly to clothing, are single-use, and are simplest to print. “Adapt” sheets fit standard third-party clip badge holders rather than Avery’s own. Most events use the insert + holder combination because the same plastic holders can be re-used across multiple events while only the printed inserts are consumable. Magnetic alternatives exist but are typically sold as the holder hardware separately rather than as printable insert sheets.
Name badge insert products at a glance
The four codes below cover most printed-insert workflows for events, training and retail.
| SKU | Format | Insert size | Sheets / per pack | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5395 | Clip-style insert | 2.33 × 3.38 in | 100 inserts (8-up) | Conferences with reusable clip holders |
| 74459 | Print or Write insert | 3 × 4 in | 30 inserts (8-up) | Larger badges; hand-written fallback |
| 74541 | Adapt insert | 2.25 × 3.5 in | 80 inserts (8-up) | Fitting third-party / generic clip holders |
| 5390 | Laminated peel-off | 2.25 × 3.5 in | 96 badges (8-up) | Single-use events; no holder required |
The 74459 “Print or Write” sheet is worth knowing about when the timetable slips — the perforated insert can be filled in by hand for last-minute walk-up attendees without firing up the printer again. The 5390 laminated badges remove the holder step entirely; useful when budget or storage rules out reusable hardware.
For sizing comparisons across non-Avery holders, see the name badge sizes and clip styles guide.
Finding Avery templates in Word
Word ships with templates for current Avery codes:
- Mailings > Labels > Options. Set Label Vendors to “Avery US Letter” and search the Product Number list for the badge code (5395, 74459 etc.).
- File > New, search “Avery 5395” (or your code). If a template exists in the local library, it opens with the badge layout pre-set as a table.
For codes that don’t appear — common with newer Avery launches or older codes Microsoft has dropped — download the .docx template directly from avery.com’s product page. Once opened, edit the first cell with placeholder text and font, then duplicate the styling across remaining cells. For event-scale runs, set up a mail merge from a spreadsheet rather than typing each badge individually — see the Word name badge templates tutorial for the full setup.
Print and assembly
Print a single test sheet on plain paper before loading the Avery insert sheets. Hold the test sheet over a blank insert sheet against a light source — if the print sits inside the cell boundaries with a millimetre or two of tolerance on each side, alignment is fine. If the print drifts, set printer paper size explicitly to Letter or A4 rather than Auto.
After printing, separate the perforated inserts and slide each into its plastic holder from the open edge. For laminated peel-off badges, peel the backing and apply directly to clothing.
A note on Avery codes: Avery occasionally renames or replaces SKUs as ranges get refreshed. If a code referenced here doesn’t appear in your Word template chooser, check avery.com for the current equivalent — the underlying insert dimensions are the durable detail.