A common convention when numbering your keytags is to start with a 5 digit number – in fact, our printer defaults to barcode number 12345 if no starting number is requested.  What is nice about 12345 as a starting number is that it allows you a lot of future members before anything changes about your numbering convention (after all – if you have a gym with 99,999 members, you probably have a full time IT department that can make anything work!).

So the moral of the story is, if you don’t have a preference for your starting number, try starting with 12345.  And if you decide for some reason that you would like a letter in your barcode number, you might want to check with your software vendor to ask them if the software is able to read letters in barcode keytags.

The answer to that question is yes, you will need software and a barcode reader to effectively manage your clients or members.  The barcode reader is the input device that “reads” your barcoded keytag.  The reader inputs the data to your computer – and ultimately to your software.  Your software then determines who the owner of that keytag is (based on the barcode number), and it then generally lets you know whether or not this person has a valid membership.

There are many sources for barcode management software out there.  Since we specialize in selling custom barcode key tags to the fitness industry, we are familiar with several software companies (primarily through hearing our customers talk about them) - such as MindBody, Twin Oaks, and ASF to name a few.  Most of these companies can also set you up with a barcode reader, although generally a reader is just a generic piece of hardware, and you may rather find it online.

So in summary, the 4 things you need in order to check in members is:

1. barcode keytags
2. a barcode reader
3. check-in software
4. members!

That means that literally every barcode reader available today is capable of reading our keytags!  There are a few major manufacturers of card readers – among them ID Tech, Metrologic, and Symbol.  But there are also some obscure barcode reader manufacturers, such as POS-X (Karen’s reader), Zebex, and Wasp.  No matter who the manufacturer of your barcode reader is, you can rest assured that our keytags are guaranteed to work or your money back!

First, call us at 888-903-7648, ext. 123 with your mailing address and we would be more than happy to send you a few sample cards so you can try them out!

Or if you’re more adventurous, you can actually go to this website and enter in a sample number, then press the “generate barcode” button and your barcode will appear on the screen.  You can then simply print it out on standard quality paper and try scanning it!

Thank you to Barcodes Inc for providing this free application – it is extremely handy!

First, order your custom key tags at our online store.  Next, email your logo to logo@keytagclub.com so we can get started on a layout.  Once we’ve completed the layout, we will send it to you for approval or changes.

Once your final approval has been received, we will put the order into production!  After approval, orders of custom key tags ship in about a week – so before you know it, you’ll receive your custom key tag order!

Not only are our stock key tags attractive, with the recognizable “I Love My Gym” logo, they are reasonably priced.  Plus you can order quantities as low as 100!  In fact, our prices are so good that we have sold over 100,000 stock key tags!

And we always increment the barcode numbers higher.  This way, you never have to be concerned that your barcode numbers will overlap those of prior orders!  Visit our online store to order your stock key tags today!

When custom key tags are re-ordered, unless otherwise instructed, we begin numbering them where the last order left off.  We also print any text that was originally displayed on the back of the key tags.  So unless you need changes made to your originally ordered custom key tags, go ahead and just add them to your shopping cart and check out as usual.

The bar code is protected under a crystal clear polyester lamination, so bar code can’t scratch off.  And the S-style shape allows the key tags to be used in slot-style readers as well as all other barcode readers currently on the market.  Tag dimensions are 2-5/8″ x 1-1/8″.