Reunion Nametags

If you are planning a reunion this year you'll see a new "Nametags" link in your Reunion Planner. The Nametag Generator feature allows you to easily and automatically create nametags for all reunion registrants and guests. Layouts, fonts, photos etc. are all under your control in a simple point and click interface.

The system supports several Avery nametag stocks and we have listed those stocks and links to Amazon.com to purchase them directly on the page. Most Avery nametag stocks are also available at local office supply stores.

The new nametag system will no doubt need some more tweaking so as you're using this please let us know your thoughts about the overall flow and usability. Please also suggest any ideas for improvements here. Most people won't be using the nametags feature until the Summer and Fall so now is a great time to make any adjustments and improvements before the system is widely used.

Hooray! Love how this looks with the preview and then generates a PDF with so many different options.

Some questions aready. On my single-year site we've only gotten a handful of people signed up so far, and these are the only ones showing for the nametag selection. I'd like an option to select from the entire list.

Also, in the past we've honored our deceased by printing their nametags and pinned them on a board to display with other remembrances. Can we have those names available?

On a multi-year, I'd like to offer each class having a reunion that we generate & send them the PDF file to print their own set of nametags. That, too, would necessitate that I can access all the living names, at least, for a particular class.

Just thinking.

So far: The Guest Attributes should pick up then name of the classmates it's associated with. Your example gives a name. I can either print just "Guest" or it looks like I'd print the same host name on each tag. Does it need your name variables so we can say "Guest of $firstname$ $lastname$" or something?

I did a sheet that contained one unnamed guest, in this case my own guest. All the tags lined up except that row. My tag was offset from the others, vertically, by about 1/2 inch, as was the guest's tag. Makes it tricky to cut.

The photo border printed fine but looked like it was missing half the lines, on the screen display. Probably just a problem with PDF-ing, not under your control.

Selecting "Extra Large" printed the same size attendee name as "Large". On a guest tag, their name prints where the picture goes and it really IS Extra Large.

The Auto setting on the other lines all look like they're printing "Large" but the Auto on Attendee Name prints it teeny-tiny.

So sizing needs work. How about a Small option, too, so a long named school doesn't take so much room?

Wow, Brad, that is a great new feature!! Thank you!! I will begin planning for 2012 45th reunion very soon. I bet you've missed me and all my silly questions!! I'll be back! It sounds like the Reunion Planner is user friendly and very efficient, but you know me.... Bonita

You guys never cease to impress!

Thanks Brad! Another great feature to make our lives easier!

How is your Dad doing these days Brad?

Blessings,
Dawn

Really do like this feature, and have a couple of requests.
How about another size option, like 3 X 4" for those of us who are of the 'older' generation? i.e. failing eyesight.
Also, is there a way to print badges for the entire class?
When we had our reunion in May, we did this - had a memorial table of name badges and candles of the deceased, and a table of 'missing' classmates.
Just a few ideas -
Steve

"My mind is a raging torrent,
Flooded with rivulets of thought,
Cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives!"
{BTW, that quote is from Blazing Saddles}

Keep up the great work Brad and company - you folks are the greatest, no question about it!

Is it possible to hide the top row on the nametags. In my case it says All-Year Reunion, which I would like to either suppress completely, or at least show the name we are actually using for our get together, Spring Fling.
Thanks,
Mike

Mike - yes. On the Nametag page near the top are some modification settings. You can set that particular option to Hide or change the All Year Reunion to whatever you wish it to say.

Scott,
In my tests, most of the show/hide options don't work. Neither does the replacement text for the reunion name.
And where is the "Print" button to actually print the tags once the images look right?
Thanks,
Mike

I just retested. Hide worked for me in all cases. I did see that we might have a duplicate field issue with the Year / Class and Classmate Year, I'm looking into this. However, I did the Hide option for all of these and it was successful.

What browser are you using?

Scott,
You got it! The browser is the problem. I was using Google Chrome. It all worked when I used Firefox. I should have caught it because this isn't the first problem I've had with Chrome and ClassCreator. When using Chat, the space bar doesn't work and all the words run together. Fine with other browsers, of course. Thanks for the help.
Do you think there will be compatibility fixes for use with Chrome or is it just not popular enough yet?
Mike

Not sure - I'll run it past the team.

Is it possible to make the pictures larger?

The photo size is dependent upon the size of label you choose. For larger pictures, use larger labels.

The logo that is pulled is the one that you upload on the Edit School / Logos page. Simply upload a new version of the logo here while you are building your Nametags and that will be the image that is used.

Jean Benfante wrote:

smack

I need to look at all that since I "volunteered" to do this. Nice to read before I get there.

(jokes are ok?)

Brad,
I just made a test run with the nametags and it works GREAT!
Thank you,
Max

How do I get all classmates to print on the nametags.

The nametag feature works with the Reunion Planner. In order to print all classmates on nametags, you would need to add all classmates to attend the reunion.

Thanks Kyle

Kyle
As stated before, I think we should have the OPTION to print nametags for the selected members of the class or the entire class independent of whether the classmate has registered for the reunion. We expect a large walk up registration and I would prefer to preprint in case they show up.

2. There really should be a format option that the persons name prints all the way across the bottom (adjust font to fit as one line) and have the picture and other fields above it.

Charlie - We have noted that for future consideration. However as of right now, the Reunion Planner is programmed independent of the class list. If you had a computer available to print on the fly, you could potentially do walk up registrations and print as needed. However, that does not help if you are wanting to simply have all the tags available rather than printing at the door. Your only other option, as of right now, is to manually enter the balance of your classmates into the reunion planner and print the tags. I'll be sure we discuss this further internally.

you did not respond to item #2

Sorry. That has been requested and is planned for future updates. I already have a mockup to the programmer.

I am using the following label stock:
Avery 74461
Avery Clip Name Badges 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 - 8 badges per sheet

I generated the badges and printed a test page. The picture printed out fine but I found out I had too much text, though, and eliminated some of the text options.

Now, when I generate the badges again and print a test page, the pictures are a bit narrower. There are not any setting for the picture settings that causes them to change when I eliminate some text and how do I fix it.

B-T-W, we have 112 people coming to the reunion. They had 43 at the last one. The difference. ClassCreator. You guys are awesome.

Charlie Taylor wrote:

Wow do I agree with number 2 Charlie. We just had our 50th Reunion, and other than June is too hot in Oklahoma, the next most popular request was for BIGGER Names on the Name Tag.

Thank you both for the feedback and I'll certainly pass along the suggestions. Thanks for the kudos Richard, we're happy to have helped!

Yippee - you added the ability to print all name tags - thank you thank you thankyou. However, If you choose that option it appears the GUEST name tags are eliminated. This is minor inconvience. We expect a large walk up and I would rather preprint the whole class rather than fake it at the door

Thanks

Since the two lists pull from different systems, currently, we can't combine them.

YIPPEE!!! you fixed it so the guest tags will print with
1. REGISTRANTS with GUESTS
2. Whole Class without Guests
3. Whole Class with Guests

This is good stuff. But - we want the GUEST tags to print in a different format than the CLASSMATE tags. Therefore it would be really nice if the options available to print
1. REGISTRANTS without GUESTS
2. GUESTS ONLY

give me this and I will leave you alone for the rest of the day. No pressure - our reunion is 10/15.

I've looked for the "Nametags" link in the reunion planner and while I'm likely missing something obvious, I can't find it.

I've tried Chrome and now Firefox (as per a comment above) - on a Windows Vista machine - and I've combed every page in the Planner - including searching for the words, "tag," "tags" and "name tag" - and looked in Widgets and other pages.

Can someone put me on the right path to this very desirable feature?

Thanks,

Maynard Keller
Weberhigh62.com

Hi Jim,

The nametags feature was too buggy so we pulled it until we could have an opportunity to fix it properly. It is still in the queue. You'll have to download your reunion registration list (from the Reports link in the planner) and do it the old-fashioned way (a mail merge in Word) or the really old-fashioned way (by hand) or the costly but expedient way (send it off to a printer).

I am interested in knowing when the nametag feature will be available. Our reunion is June 9, 2012. If you still need testers, I'm in!

I second Tina's motion if you're anywhere close to bringing this back and need testers! Our reunion's in early August and we'd really like to be able to print tags with the Senior pics by the names without having to manually add 250 pics after running the name/template merge. (Not looking forward to that!)

We use Chrome, Firefox, Safari and IE on Win Vista, Win XP, Mac OS X Tiger and Lion, btw.

Anyway, I do want to echo her interest, and I'm sure others share it.

The name tag program was terrific. There were a few issues with some names (to me minor). Overall saved me a LOT of time and looked great. For sure a lot easier than doing a mail merge, etc.

The only thing that ended up being a problem was that FF would no longer download the file. I immediately reported that, but CC argued I was using a beta version (true, I still do), but in the final version that problem persisted.

All that had to be done was back out the last change that made that not work. Even then, all I had to do was use IE to download the file.

Unless somehow it really is broken, I'd put it back and make it very clear that BETA means BETA. No fixes, no change, no mods until CC has more time. Just make this message extremely clear so when people post here (and they will) there is no misunderstanding.

As I said at the start, this really is a terrific program to use for nametags and most of you will enjoy how easy it is to run. Just don't get picky and make CC nervous

End of testimonial

Al and Mike are working very hard to return the beta nametag generator. We changed the entire underlying structure of the Reunion Planner, which is the reason the nametag generator is currently offline. It'll be back as quickly as we can get that piece updated. By the way the Reunion Planner structural changes were crucial and more things are still on the way. Especially for the multi year sites. I've talked about that in other threads. I know it's frustrating when even a beta feature is currently not available but this had to be done. Hang tight and we'll get that back in there for you as quickly as we're able.

I noticed the admonition not to make "major changes" to our existing reunion when I went into change some text and add a question today.

Meanwhile as for the nametag generator, our fingers are crossed. Thanks for the update!

If anyone needs to print name tags before the generator returns to production, you can use Avery's online software and templates at avery.com. It's a more manual and time consuming process than the generator, but, it works. Following is the process I used:

From their home page, click on "NEW - Design & Print Online", then "Name Badges & ID Cards", then on your product (I used 74461), then on the format you want to use (I used the format with the three wise men image on the left which provides for a photo on the left and text on the right of your name tags. This is the same format as used by the generator).

You will need to have all the information you want to print on the name tags saved in an excel file. Assuming you have this, click in the text box (where it says "Enter Name Here / Event Information"), then on "Start Mail Merge", then on "Browse for File", and select the excel file on your computer. Your excel file will pop up and you then select the information you want to have loaded into the text box you are working with. (I would suggest you select just a few sets of data to get familiar with avery's software and test with a blank sheet of paper before trying to print on Avery's paper to get familiar with the software and avoid making a mistake or wasting the avery paper.) When done, click on "Next" and then drag and drop the text you want printed from the "Available fields" to the "Arrange fields". Each time you drop data in the "Arrange field", the cursor will drop to the next line. Continue to drag and drop your fields to the flashing cursor. When done, click on "Complete Merge". On the next screen, you will see your merged data in the format you picked. Click on the text box and then center the text and change the font size, or make boldface, etc. When done, click on the "Edit One" tab and go through each name tag to make sure the text shows as you want. If the text is too long and wraps from one line to the next, just make the font size smaller.

Finally, staying in the "Edit One" tab, click on the picture of the three wise men, then on the "From My Computer" tab (assuming you have your classmates pictures saved to your computer) and select the appropriate photo. When done, click on "Preview & Print".

Review all the name tags to make sure everything fits and all data and photos are correct, then click on "Print". The Avery software will produce a printable pdf file. When done, open and print it. Again, for your first attempt, print on a blank sheet of paper. Hold your printout next to your Avery product to see if your tags will print in the perforated boxes on the avery paper. If they don't, then estimate how much the tags need to be moved (Up or Down, Left or Right) to fit. This is all dictated by your printer. In my case, I had to move all my tags down one eighth of an inch. Whatever adjustments you decide, you will need to click on "Printer Adjustment" on the page before clicking "Print", make your adjustment, and click "Apply".

This is definitely not the easiest way to print your name tags, but, it works. One last thing; I have not had any luck saving my project using the Avery software. Avery has flagged this as a known bug. By the time you read this, they may have fixed this problem, but, until that happens, you'll have to build you file and print it as it is built. In my case, I just did eight tags (one sheet) at a time until I gained some confidence that I wasn't going to make a bunch of mistakes and waste paper and, when done, I just closed the session and went to the next page.

BTW, you can use the same format (three wise men) to print your guest tags. Just delete the image on the left, click in the blank space and on "New Text". Change the text box dimensions to match the text box on the right, and when done, you can do two separate merges to drag your text into both text boxes. I used "Guest Name" Guest of "Classmate Name" in the left text box and "High School Name", "Class of XXXX", XX Year Reunion" in the right text box.

Good luck and I hope this helps someone.

So glad the name tags are back! Our reunion is this year and we have a BIG class. I've downloaded a preliminary file of tags and wonder why the names don't print on the tags consequtively? They will leave a tag or two or more blank on each page which causes alot of wasted tags. For the price of each sheet, this is hugely expensive lose. Can you help? Am I doing something wrong, though there isn't anything we do except click our choices. Thanks.

The BLANK NAMETAG issue has been fixed. Sorry for the inconvience.

We're pleased with our first tests of the Nametag generator - very nice tags - and happy it's here for our 50th!

One small issue was that a number of our classmates married each other and registered as couples. So when we generate PDF's for registered Classsmates, the spouses' tags show up without pictures, simply labeled by name (and/or "Guest of").

[*] Note: Kyle posted a better solution for now than our suggestions below. So you're better served going down to that.....

One workaround is checking "Include those who answered Yes for Attending but did not register," and then un-checking unregistered Classmates after the preview list of tags to be generated appears.

This requires a handy list of the registered and still generates generates guest tags for ALL "guests." But it's workable. (BTW it took us awhile to realize we could jigger the options to come up with a complete list in one file, so we might not be alone in being dense.)

And re the above, we have a few possible suggestions for the future, if not too big a programming chore:

1. Besides "Include those who answered Yes for Attending but did not register" add another option, "Include the following selected classmates:" so we could add only the spouses (or other special situations) in the first place.

2. Another user-friendly, if not programmer friendly, option would be the ability to check a "do not print tag for guest" on a per classmate basis from the previews.

Those two changes - with the first being the most useful - would allow us to print the exact tags we need. (We still need to know the married spouses on our end of course!)

3. Another minor point is that we personally would like to see the school logo "watermark" print a bit darker - or ideally have a slider to fine-tune its intensity, as logos and preferences vary from school to school.

4. One final "wish-list" item: a preview of the fonts available - they're different than our system fonts, so it takes trial and error to select a nice balance.

Still we are thrilled the module is here and working! Thanks again!

Here's one more possible technical issue:

It may just be us, but as we try some variations, the senior pics seem to be right in perspective in some of the PDF's but vertically stretched a bit in others (samples attached).

Jim,

This is how you fix the SPOUSE IS CLASSMATE issue.

Go to Reunion Planner,
Attendees
Find a classmate who has a spouse as a classmate who registered for the reunion
Edit the paying classmate so the registration says ONE person (him/herself) (leave the number of tickets purchased the same)
Click the ADD A CLASSMATE from the class list button.
Add the spouse to the registration list.
This way, both the Classmate and the Spouse of Classmate are registered. Neither one is a guest.

This is how you will need to fix this because the nametags probably won't be worked on again for a while.

Gotcha. And that is definitely (as usual) simpler. Thanks!

Wonderful suggestion Kyle. I too wondered how to resolve this, and issued an email to the general class asking them to get their spouses registered as well, but couldn't figure out how to get around the need for them each to have to buy their own tickets (why would they want to?). This will help immensely, if I can follow your instructions correctly!

We are just grateful that they are ready for our 50th in August. Like the PDF's, nametags fit our holders, perfect. And yes, a little darker on the logo would be quite nice but it IS a background and darker could reduce overall readability.

When I go to the nametags button and click on it, it takes me to a blank page with this message

ERROR: No events

Am I missing something??

Also, when I try add a button for attending reunion, I click on the profile tab next to the classmate name, then click the name I want to add, I get a page with

   
50 Year Reunion

name of classmate

but nothing else on the page to take me further along in the process. Again, am I missing something???

HELP

Ellen,

Nametags are for the events. You don't have any events associated with your reunion. To create events, do the following:

Reunion Planner,
Edit
Scroll down to the bottom where it says "ADD YOUR FIRST EVENT" and click the button.

Kyle,
Thank you!!!! Got it now! Love this site, and am having a great time building it. Lots of trial and error . The classmates who have registered on my site have all responded favorably about it. Wish I knew about this site five years ago when I first volunteered to organize our 45th then, but, I sure am happy I have it now.

Does anyone have a spec sheet of the fonts offered in the PRINT NAME TAGS area? It would be nice to see what the font looks like before make the PDF file with the particular font.

Thanks.

Mike

You can browse the fonts on your system (go to font folder) or make a sample of 1 using each font
or use WORD on your system to select the font for lines of sample text.

There are only a few English fonts. The others are for special alphabets like Hebrew, Thai, Arabic, etc.

The ones you might want for English are

Arial, Courier New, Comic Sans, Times, Verdana and Script.

Hi Jack,

I was referring to the Class Creator Name Tag interface within the reunion planning area. I was just saying it would be nice to see the fonts listed as they really look. *See reference link called name tags_no sim for fonts.jpeg that I've attached.

-M

Yes, I was talking about the Name Tag font options. I was answering how you could see the specs, so I just listed some ways you view how the font looks.

It's really pretty simple to make a 6 samples. I imagine that's what CC figured one would do. I used the font folder to figure out (see) the fonts I listed as applicable for most uses.

The way to do this quickly is to make only ONE name tag using one font, download, make another with only ONE name tag and so forth. Goes really fast. It's how I decided what sort of options I wanted too.

It would be nice to have a font preview onscreen as an improvement All CC would have to do for a basic preview is to create the samples and one could click to a page that shows the various fonts. Pretty easy

A font preview seems like a no-brainer. I'll put it on the wishlist. Expect to see it by 2020.

My 40th reunion is less than 3 weeks away................At our 35th in 2008 (before using Class Creator) - we spent over $400 on name tags.

I'm very happy w/ the CC nametag option. I've printed the tags for those who have already registered----they turned out great---and I've spent less than $50. THANK you Class Creator.

I've been a huge fan since launching my site in 2009. During these past 4 years - we have kept classmates 1) connected; 2) informed, and 3) occasionally entertained. We keep folks interested by frequent (multiple times per week) updates/news. I'm happy that 4 years after launching - we continue to a good # of hits every day.

But the primary reason for writing this note is to SALUTE the nametag option

Thanks, Irma. Glad it is working out for you!