GUIDE

What to print on a school ID card: front, back and what to leave off

By ICardPrint · Published 2026-10-26

The quick answer

Print the student's photo, full name, class and section, admission or ID number, school name and logo on the front. Put a parent's phone number, blood group, address of the school and the principal's signature on the back. Leave off Aadhaar numbers, full home addresses and anything you would not want a stranger to read.

A school ID card has two jobs: it lets staff recognise a student quickly, and it helps anyone who finds a lost child contact the right person. Everything printed on it should serve one of those two jobs. This checklist covers what most schools print, and what is better left off.

Front of the card

Field	Why it matters
Recent photo	The fastest way for a guard or teacher to check the card belongs to the child
Full name	As in school records, spelt exactly as the parents gave it
Class and section	Helps staff send a child to the right room
Admission or ID number	The unique key that matches the card to the school record
School name and logo	Shows which school the child belongs to
Session or validity	For example "2026–27", so old cards are easy to spot

A QR code on the front or back can link the card to the school's attendance or library system. Only print a QR code if your school actually uses it.

Back of the card

Parent or guardian phone number — one reliable number is better than three.
Blood group — useful in an emergency; check it with parents before printing.
School address and phone number — so a lost card or child can be returned.
Principal's signature — makes the card official.
Short instructions — for example "If found, please return to the school office."
Transport route or house — only if your school uses them day to day.

What to leave off

A card is carried outside school and can be lost. Avoid printing:

Aadhaar numbers or other government ID numbers.
The full home address. The school's address is enough for returning a card.
Date of birth with the full name, unless the school genuinely needs it on the card.
Medical details beyond the blood group.

Collect only the details you print, and tell parents why you need them. This keeps the card useful and respects the student's privacy.

Collecting the data without mistakes

Use one list. Keep a single spreadsheet with an ID number for every student, and correct it there.
Match photos by ID number, not by name — names repeat, ID numbers do not. See our guide to student photos.
Ask class teachers to check their section before the list goes to print.
Approve a proof. Check a few cards from every class on the digital proof before printing starts.

ICardPrint school orders include a free student data portal that flags missing photos, phone numbers and names before the proof is made, so most errors are caught early.

Frequently asked questions

Should the card show the student's date of birth? Only if your school uses it, for example for board exam identification. Otherwise the admission number is enough.

Portrait or landscape? Portrait is more common for school cards because it fits a larger photo; landscape suits staff cards with longer designations.

What size is a school ID card? The standard is CR80, 85.6 × 54 mm, the size of a bank card. See the ID card size guide.

How much does a school ID card cost? It depends on quantity, finish and accessories. Current starting prices are on the price list.

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