How to make an ID card online

The steps, start to finish

First, pick a design from the rail on the left. The six styles cover employee, student, visitor, event and official looks, and your details carry across all of them, so you can switch with one click. Second, fill in the fields on the right: the organisation, the cardholder's name and role, an ID number and a validity date. The card redraws as you type, with no button to press.

Third, add a photo by clicking the photo area on the card, and upload a logo the same way. Fourth, switch on only the extra fields you need, such as phone, blood group or a signature line. Fifth, choose a card size and orientation from the toolbar. Finally, hit Download and pick PDF, PNG or JPG, or use Print to send it straight to a printer.

Choosing the right fields and design

Keep a card to the fields that earn their place. A name, a role, an organisation and a photo carry most cards, with an ID number where access or attendance matters and a validity date where the card expires. The optional fields stay hidden until you turn them on, so the layout never carries an empty label.

Match the design to the use. A corporate or minimal style suits an office, the student style suits a campus, the event style puts a name first for a conference, and the classic bordered style reads as more formal for an official card. One accent colour is enough; use it to match a brand rather than to add noise.

Printing what you made

Download the format that fits the next step. PDF keeps the exact card size, so it is best for a print shop or a PVC card printer. PNG is the sharpest for screens and keeps rounded corners transparent. JPG is the smallest file for sharing by email or a message. For a plastic card, send the PDF or a high-resolution PNG to a card bureau; for a paper badge, print and laminate.