Photo ID card maker
Free ID Card Maker
Design an ID card with a photo, name and ID number, fill it in for your whole team, and print CR80 cards from your browser.
What you get
Prepare a consistent set of staff photo cards from your employee list, with names, departments, ID numbers and expiry dates in one layout. Match local photo files to each person and download CR80 sheets for cardstock and holders while the roster stays on your device.
Highlights
- CR80 card layout, eight to a Letter sheet
- A different photo on each person's card
- Front and back sides for return and emergency details
- Names, titles and ID numbers from a CSV
- Up to 500 people free, with no account needed
- Photos and names stay in your browser
Templates
Good places to start
- Double-sided staff ID with a photo above the name, department, employee number and a return-address back.Use this template
- Double-sided staff ID with the photo beside the name, department, employee number and expiry date.Use this template
- Tech company card with a circular photo, a monospace data block and space for contact details.Use this template
What an ID card template in this maker can hold
Choose a landscape or portrait CR80 template and add your logo, a photo frame and fields for name, title, department, employee ID and expiry. Use the back for approved return information, remembering that barcode and QR elements are excluded from free exports.
Printing ID cards: cardstock, inkjet PVC or a card printer
Print the CR80 PDF on suitable cardstock, trim along the cut lines and place the cards in holders. Direct PVC printing requires compatible equipment and a separate print workflow, while two-sided sheet printing needs a position-by-position test because exported backs are not reversed for duplex use.
Keeping ID card data private
Keep the roster, photos and exported files on a device with appropriate access controls, using only the personal details needed on the card. The maker processes badge data locally, but printed cards can be copied and do not provide electronic door access or identity verification.
How it works
Design the ID card once
Choose a portrait or landscape ID template, add your logo and arrange the name, role, department and employee number around the photo frame.
Import your staff list
Save your staff list as a CSV, open it in People and map the name, title, department and employee ID columns to their matching fields.
Add everyone's photos
Select the photo files together and match their names to the people or employee IDs in your list, then review the matches and correct any missing or ambiguous photos.
Finish the back and print
Add approved return details to the back, then test every front and back position on plain paper before printing cardstock, since duplex back positions are not reversed automatically.
ID cards with photos: badge maker, Word mail merge or Avery Design & Print
BadgesGenerator.com
Best forStaff or volunteer ID cards with a photo, an ID number and group colors, designed once and filled from a list
Strengths
- CR80 templates with name, title and ID number tokens ready to place
- A photo for each person, plus a back side for return details
- Group colors for departments or access levels
- Runs in the browser, and your list and photos aren't uploaded
Tradeoffs
- Exports PDF sheets and PNG images rather than sending jobs to an ID card printer
- Barcode and QR elements are excluded from free downloads
- CSV imports support files up to 2 MB
- PDF sheets and PNG downloads have no watermark
Microsoft Word mail merge
Best forOffices that already keep staff lists in Excel and know their way around Word's Mailings tab
Strengths
- Merges names, titles and ID numbers from an Excel list into a label layout
- Familiar Word formatting for text, tables and pictures
- The finished merge is a regular document you can adjust card by card
Tradeoffs
- A different photo for each person usually means working with field codes, which takes patience
- Lining up a back side with the front takes manual test prints
- Requires Microsoft Word
Avery Design & Print Online
Best forPrinting on an Avery product you already own, using Avery's layout for that product number
Strengths
- Free web tool from Avery with templates found by product number
- Includes a spreadsheet import for personalized items
- Nothing to install
Tradeoffs
- Built around Avery stock, so it fits best when your cards or inserts are Avery products
- Photo and import options change over time, so check Avery's site for what it supports now
The bottom line: Choose the badge maker when each card needs a photo, an ID number and department colors without learning field codes. Pick Word mail merge if your team already works in Word and Excel, and Avery Design & Print Online when an Avery package is already on your desk.
Frequently asked questions
Is this ID card maker really free to use?
The ID card editor, templates and PDF or PNG exports are free for up to 500 people, including photos, names and employee numbers. Import a CSV without signing up and download cards without a watermark or added credit line.
How do I add a photo to each person's ID card?
Add a photo frame to the layout, select local JPG, PNG or WebP files and match them by person name or employee ID. Review the matches before printing and use similar crops for a consistent set of staff cards, with the photos staying on your device.
Can the ID card maker add barcodes or QR codes?
ID cards can show employee numbers as readable text, but the maker does not include scannable barcodes or QR codes. Keep your access-control system separate and use these cards for visible identification rather than electronic door access.
Can I print ID cards on both sides?
The editor supports a back side and exports alternating front and back sheets, but does not reverse the back positions for duplex printing. Check every position on a plain-paper test, since printer flip settings alone cannot guarantee that a personalized back will match its front.
What if I want plastic ID cards instead of cardstock?
The available exports are PDF sheets and PNG images, and the site does not sell printed plastic cards. Use cardstock in a rigid holder or arrange a separate PVC printing workflow with compatible equipment or a supplier that accepts your artwork.
What size is a standard ID card?
Most ID cards use CR80, which measures 3.375 x 2.125 inches, the same as a credit card. Holders, badge reels and blank PVC cards are sold for this size. The maker's CR80 layout fits eight cards on a US Letter sheet, and you can enter a custom size of 2.125 x 3.375 inches for a vertical card.
Ready to print your badges?
Pick a template, add your names and export print-ready sheets. Free for up to 500 people.