Where to wear a name tag

Which side?

There are two schools. The etiquette rule says the right side: when you shake hands with your right hand, the other person's eyes follow your arm up to your right shoulder, and your name is right there. In practice, the introduction has usually been made before the handshake, or during it. That is why we recommend the left side: it is where most people already wear their name tag, so it is where your customers will look first. What matters more than the side itself is that the whole team wears it on the same side.

How high?

Align the bottom edge of the name tag with your underarm, and use the same height for every employee so customers know exactly where to look. Most people wear their tag too low, because they look down while pinning it on. A mirror fixes that. Worn too low, a name tag can leave a customer feeling they are staring at your chest instead of reading your name.

How far from the centre?

Centre the tag between the side of your neck and the outer edge of your shoulder. With a wide collar, move it slightly further out, or place it over the collar.

Keep it straight

The text must be perfectly horizontal. A magnetic fastener makes this easy: you can straighten the tag after it is on, and it leaves no holes in your clothes.

Keep it clean and in good condition

Handwritten stickers peel off and collect dirt within days; if you use them, replace them as soon as they lift. A metal name tag that gets bent should be replaced, and a plastic one gets scuffed over time. A good name tag should still look right after more than a year of daily wear.