Every new session, school offices face the same rush: hundreds of students, new admissions still coming in, and ID cards needed before the first assembly. The good news is that most delays come from just two things, missing data and unclear photos. Get those right and the printing itself is the easy part.
Here is the simple plan we recommend to schools ordering from mustprint.
1. Start three to four weeks early
Give yourself time for data collection, one round of corrections and delivery. A realistic timeline looks like this:
- Week 1: share the data sheet with class teachers and collect photos
- Week 2: send everything to us and receive the design proof
- Week 3: approve the proof, we print and pack
- Week 4: cards arrive, with a few days to spare
Tip: Keep 5–10% extra blank cards or a small reprint budget for students who join late.
2. Collect student data in one spreadsheet
Use one Excel or Google Sheet for the whole school, with one row per student. Typical columns are:
| Column | Example |
|---|---|
| Admission no. | 2026-0142 |
| Student name | Aarav Sharma |
| Class & section | VII-B |
| Father's / mother's name | Rajesh Sharma |
| Date of birth | 14-03-2013 |
| Blood group | B+ |
| Phone | 98XXXXXX10 |
| Address | 12, Model Town, Ludhiana |
Ask class teachers to check spellings before the sheet comes to us. Correcting a name after printing costs a new card; correcting it in the sheet costs nothing.
3. Get photos that print well
Clear photos are the difference between a card that looks professional and one that does not.
- Plain, light background and a front-facing, passport-style pose
- Good light on the face, no filters or heavy shadows
- Name every photo file with the admission number, for example
2026-0142.jpg - Send the original files; photos forwarded on chat apps are often compressed
4. Choose the card, lanyard and holder
Most schools choose a PVC card (the same size as a bank card) because it lasts the whole year. Pair it with a printed lanyard in your school colours and, for younger classes, a holder to protect the card. Not sure which card to pick? Read our guide on PVC vs laminated paper ID cards.
5. Check the proof carefully
We send a design proof before printing. Check it against this short list:
- School name, logo, address and phone number
- Session year (for example 2026–27)
- A few random students: name, class and photo match
- The principal's signature and any house colours
6. Send it all in one go
Upload your spreadsheet, photos and logo on our Upload Your Design page, or ask for a bulk quote first. The more students you order for, the lower the price per card, and the slabs are shown on every product page.
