Case study: logo badges and pencils for a children's event
How we prepared 600 logo badges and 600 printed pencils for a children's event: artwork, pricing by quantity, and a 6-business-day production time.
In February this year, we put together a set for a children's event in Riga: 600 logo badges (round, 38 mm, full-colour print) and 600 wooden pencils with single-colour printing. The total order came to roughly EUR 480 excl. VAT, and production took 6 business days from artwork approval. The client (a Riga-based event organiser) allowed us to publish photos of the work, but we agreed not to disclose the name, so this article focuses on the process and the numbers.
The task and starting point
The organiser needed a small, inexpensive souvenir for every participant aged 6 to 12. They were expecting 550 participants, so we planned for 600 pieces — a buffer for event volunteers and unplanned guests.
The requirements were specific: the product couldn't be heavy, couldn't have small detachable parts, and had to feature the event logo in a way that stayed recognisable even on a small surface. Tote bags were considered at first, but a budget of EUR 0.80 per participant settled the choice in favour of badges and pencils.
The quote before work began
Before production, we prepared a written quote with three quantity options so the organiser could see how the price changed. This is our standard practice — the client confirms the quantity, material and number of print colours, and only then do we start on the artwork.
| Product | 100 pcs | 300 pcs | 600 pcs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badge 38 mm, full colour, metal pin | ~EUR 0.85 | ~EUR 0.62 | ~EUR 0.48 |
| Badge 56 mm, full colour | ~EUR 1.10 | ~EUR 0.80 | ~EUR 0.65 |
| Wooden pencil, 1-colour print | ~EUR 0.55 | ~EUR 0.42 | ~EUR 0.35 |
| Wooden pencil with eraser, 1-colour print | ~EUR 0.68 | ~EUR 0.52 | ~EUR 0.44 |
| Contour-cut stickers, A6 sheet | ~EUR 1.20 | ~EUR 0.75 | ~EUR 0.55 |
These prices are indicative, excl. VAT. The exact amount depends on quantity, number of print colours and the model chosen from our catalogue. For this project, the client chose 38 mm badges and a plain wooden pencil without an eraser — together around EUR 0.83 per participant.
Preparing the artwork: where mistakes most often happen
For a round badge, the artwork isn't the same as a square logo file. For a 38 mm badge, the print circle is roughly 48 mm in diameter, since the material wraps around the edge of the metal casing. In practice, this means about 5 mm on each side "disappears" around the edge, so text placed too close to the border gets lost.
In this job, the original logo had a thin circular frame right at the edge — after checking, we removed it and enlarged the logo so only the mark and the event year remained in the central, visible area.
File requirements
- Vector graphics: .ai, .eps or .pdf with embedded fonts or fonts converted to outlines.
- Colours in CMYK; if an exact corporate colour matters, we also specify the Pantone match.
- The print area on the pencil is narrow — roughly 40 x 5 mm, so we used a horizontal, single-colour version of the logo. A small tagline next to the logo on a pencil simply isn't legible.
If no vector file is available, our project manager Madara redraws the logo — for a small event logo this usually costs EUR 20–40 excl. VAT and takes one business day.
Production process and timeline
The badges are made on a self-adhesive base with lamination, pressed into a metal casing. The pencils were printed using pad printing in a single colour. The actual schedule for this project looked like this:
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Quote and quantity confirmation | 1 business day |
| Artwork preparation and revisions | 1 business day |
| Digital proof and approval | same day |
| Badge production and pressing | 3 business days |
| Pencil printing and packaging | 2 business days (in parallel) |
| Delivery to the client in Riga | business day 6 |
The standard lead time for this type of work is 5–10 business days after artwork approval — depending on the product and quantity. Rush orders are handled by separate arrangement.
What else gets added to children's events
Badges and pencils are often just part of a larger set. We offered the client the following extras, which weren't ordered this time:
- Contour-cut stickers with event branding — the most popular and cheapest add-on for children, see sticker printing.
- Small A6 notebooks for workshops and activity sheets.
- Roll-up banner stand or PVC banner for the entrance and photo area — more details under banners and roll-up stands.
- T-shirts for volunteers with DTF transfer printing, affordable from as few as 12 pieces.
If you're organising an event with several activity zones, we'd also recommend ordering A3–A2 posters and directional signage at the same time — we prepare these in a single production cycle, so delivery doesn't need to be split.
FAQ
How small can a minimum badge batch be?
We also work with small quantities, starting from 10 pieces, but the unit price is then higher — around EUR 1.50–2.00 excl. VAT. Pricing becomes economically sensible from 100 pieces, with the best price drop happening between 300–500 pieces.
Are logo badges safe for children?
A standard badge has a metal pin on the back, so an adult should attach it to clothing. For younger children, we also offer versions with a magnet or clip — these cost about EUR 0.10–0.20 more per piece.
How many colours can be printed on a pencil?
A wooden pencil usually takes one colour, occasionally two. The print area is roughly 40 x 5 mm, so multi-colour logos with gradients or fine details won't work there — we prepare a simplified, single-colour version of the logo instead.
Can you also supply pens in the same event style?
Yes, logo pens are a permanent item in our catalogue, just like our other promotional products. For an adult audience, they're a more practical option than pencils, and the printing can be matched in style to the badges.
How much time should we allow from request to finished products?
To be safe, plan for 10 business days: one day for the quote, one or two for artwork and proofing, and the rest for production. In the project described, the whole process from the first email to delivery took 8 calendar days.
