Stage Card and Label Setup
If you prefer to have physical stage cards at your event, either as backup or an alternative to stage pass, then stage cards are for you!
Tassel can print and ship these cards to you, or the PDF files can be delivered electronically and printed in house or with a third party.
The information below is an overview of everything you'll need to share with Tassel so we can create your graduate stage cards or labels. Your Customer Success Manager will send you the survey to make the following selections:
Backup Labels
Tassel recommends labels be used as a backup at ceremonies utilizing stage pass who cannot access their stage pass on their phone. They are small and the sticky backing makes them easy to place on the backs of phones or plain 3x5 cards.
Due to the limited space on labels, only the graduate name, an identifier (either email or student ID), the QR code, and one additional Graduate Data Field (GDF) can be added.
Card Content
Front of Card
Each stage card will have the graduate name, QR code and Card Order Number, by default. Cards can have up to 7 additional Graduate Data Fields (GDFs) displayed for a total of 8 GDFs.
Graduate Data Fields to include on cards that are commonly used but not required are
- Name phonetics (for a live reader)
- Lineup number
- Degree
- Major
Tassel recommends only including information that is necessary or helpful to the graduates for a successful stage crossing. Keeping your card simple will reduce confusion with graduates.
When submitting your survey, you will be asked to select a stage card format. Select a format that works best for your ceremony. We will use the sample that you select as a guide for creating your stage card template.
Card Backing
Card backing can be added to the back of stage cards. Keep in mind, this backing cannot contain variable graduate data and must be the same for each graduate. Customers can choose one of the preapproved vendor options (Gradimages, Island, etc) OR submit their own card backing with the required dimensions (4.25”x5.5”).
Card backing must be communicated to your Customer Success Manager and submitted in advance before the data due date.
Printing Details
Stage cards are typically printed on a quarter-page layout (5.5” wide x 4.25” tall). Labels (4”x1.33”) are printed on standard sheets and contain about 14 labels per sheet.
Once graduate data is pulled and card formats are selected, Tassel will create your stage cards or labels. Prior to printing, you'll have the option of reviewing a card proof—approval of the card proof is required within 48 hours of receipt (including weekends and holidays). If no response is received, we will go to print and no further changes can be made. When reviewing the proof, please check only the general design and layout, not specific content as that is pulled directly from the graduate data.
Stage card or label separation: Tassel's standard is to separate (or group) stage cards or labels by ceremony. This means that you will receive one stack of printed stage cards/labels per ceremony. Alternatively, you can separate cards by college, degree, or another criteria of your choosing that best suits your event, resulting in multiple stacks per ceremony. You may also group your cards/labels by:
- RSVP status
- A Graduate Data Field
Stage card or label sort order: Our standard stack sorting is alphabetically by Last Name, then First Name. You may also sort your cards/labels by:
- Specified sort order uploaded with graduate data in a Sort Order GDF.
- Up to 4 different GDFs, including Alphabetically by last name. For example; by College, then Degree, then Major, then Alphabetically by last name.
Duplicate sets: Choose if you'd like to receive duplicate sets. If so, select a number if additional sets.
- Duplicate sets for the same graduate population as long as they use the exact same grouping and sorting method.
Card colors: Tassel's standard is to print stage cards on white and blank cards on gold. Additional card colors are available based on your package.
Blank card or label quantity: Select the number of blank cards or labels you wish to have at your event. These are for late-add graduates or for graduates who lost their card. Tassel recommends having 10% of your stage card total to be blank cards/labels to accommodate these graduates.
Additional Support
If you have any questions about how best to set up your cards or labels to meet your needs so that they fit into our templates, please reach out to your Tassel Sales Manager or Customer Success Manager.