Tech Forum

To premiere a new series at LDS Tech: How is made?

Ok, I know it's a kind stupid, but I have a very great curiosity to know how are made the missionary badges.

Every week, thousands of full-time missionaries, service missionaries, temple workers and MTC instructors are called to serve. All these brothers and sisters wear a badge designating their role and their last name, and, in some cases, the Church logo.

I know they're made of plastic, but what is the manufacturing process? These parts are manufactured only by the Church or purchased from suppliers? What is the equipment that prints the name of each individual user? This equipment is available only in the United States or badges are being produced in other countries too?

Come uncover the secrets of this so interesting and so meaningful object to us, members of the LDS Church!!!

These are actually a very common item, and they are relatively simple to make. Many places make similar things, and this is just one of the most well-known of them

Hard plastic laminate is used, in two colors, usually with a contrasting color, so that when the badge is engraved, the second color shows allowing the missionary name to be seen, along with the name of the Church where that is required. Slightly more specialized engraving equipment is required to get the Church logo just right on those badges where that is needed.

Usually the top layer is black, the bottom layer is white (for missionary tags), or a white top layer over a black bottom layer (for temple worker tags).

Do a Google for "engraving machine" and I think you'll find something. From a theoretical standpoint, think of a computer-controlled plotter that uses an engraving tool instead of a pen to "draw". Chances are there's a company in your town that does that kind of work.