Avery 5392 Name Badge Inserts Review: Reliable Choice
A surprising trend among event planners and office administrators is the near-universal praise for the Avery Customizable Name Badge Inserts, White (5392), which consistently scores around 7.1/10 in aggregated reviews despite being a simple cardstock product. While seemingly basic, these badge inserts have proven to be a reliable tool for organizations needing quick, professional identification solutions at scale.
Quick Verdict: Yes — Highly recommended for event organizers, corporate teams, and schools needing durable, easily printable name badges.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clean tear with ultra-fine perforations | Badge holders not included |
| Compatible with laser/inkjet printers | Size descriptions can be unclear for lanyard sleeves |
| Free Avery Design & Print templates | Some printer trays cause misalignment |
| Thick, durable cardstock | Requires separate purchase of badge clips or holders |
| Fast customization with mail merge | Limited to Avery-compatible holders |
| Professional look without rough edges | Occasional shipping/delivery issues reported |
Claims vs Reality
Avery markets these inserts as producing “polished and professional customized name badges within minutes,” emphasizing ultra-fine perforations for a smooth finish. Digging into user feedback, this claim is largely upheld. A verified buyer on Amazon noted: “These printed out beautifully… the perforations left smooth edges, no tearing mess.” Reddit user feedback echoed this, with one commenter saying: “We used these badges for a company conference and they were so easy to use.”
Another marketing point is compatibility with both laser and inkjet printers. While most users confirm smooth printing, a Trustpilot reviewer warned: “Don’t use the bypass tray if printing a bunch at once… it loads the sheets offset from one another.” This points to a gap between Avery’s “optimized for all printers” claim and real-world results, where printer settings and feed trays can still cause issues.
Avery also promotes free templates and mail merge capabilities via its Design & Print software. Multiple sources confirm this is a standout feature. “Avery always makes printing on templates easy when you use their website,” one verified reviewer wrote, adding that setup for bulk badge printing was “simple and intuitive.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Reddit, and Trustpilot, the most celebrated aspect is the clean tear. The micro-perforations eliminate jagged edges, giving a professional look suitable for high-profile events. A verified buyer recounted: “Good quality cardstock… comes apart very easily with clean straight edges.” This matters for corporate HR teams creating onboarding badges or schools preparing ID cards, where presentation is as important as function.
Printing ease is another consistent win. Users from political conventions to trade shows mention flawless runs through both inkjet and laser printers. “The tags are super easy to print on,” said one Trustpilot reviewer, noting no jamming even during large batch jobs.
Event organizers especially appreciate the design flexibility. A Reddit user explained: “There is a link to Avery where you can customize… it was very easy to use.” Mail merge integration allows hundreds of badges to be generated in minutes, making it ideal for conferences where attendee lists are long and dynamic.
Common Complaints
The most frequent complaint is confusion over sizing when pairing inserts with badge holders or lanyards. One Trustpilot comment stated: “There should be a clearer description of size label and lanyard sleeve requirements.” This affects buyers who already own holders from other brands, as Avery’s inserts are tailored to specific model numbers.
Another issue is that badge holders are not included, which can catch first-time buyers off guard. While clearly stated in product descriptions, some users still find themselves needing last-minute purchases before events.
Printer misalignment is a recurring frustration, often tied to bypass tray feeds. Large-volume printing operations, especially on copier-style machines, sometimes see offset prints unless manual adjustments are made.
Divisive Features
Cardstock thickness garners mixed reactions. For some, the heavier weight is an advantage. “The Avery cardstock is nice and heavier in weight than other brands,” said one reviewer, citing durability. Others prefer lighter stock that’s easier to bend or laminate, especially for temporary events.
The brand-lock compatibility — inserts fitting only Avery holders — divides opinion. Loyal Avery users see this as ensuring perfect fit and finish, while others view it as limiting flexibility.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and marketplace reviews show strong confidence in Avery’s product quality, with comments like “Avery products are the best” and “Works as described.” Shipping speed is generally praised, though isolated cases of missing shipments appear. One Walmart reviewer complained: “I haven’t gotten 19 of the 20 I ordered… and the online assistant will not allow me to state the problem.”
Long-term durability is confirmed by repeat buyers who have used the inserts for multiple events over years. Reddit users point out that when stored properly, the cardstock maintains its integrity without curling or fading.
Alternatives
The main comparable product mentioned in discussions is the Avery Clip Style Name Badge Kit (74541), which includes holders and clips along with inserts. For users frustrated by the need to buy holders separately, this kit offers an all-in-one solution. However, the 5392 inserts remain the go-to for organizations that already own compatible holders and simply need refills.
Price & Value
Current market pricing hovers between $16.59 and $32.99 for a 300-count pack, with occasional sales dropping cost per badge to around $0.06. On eBay, prices are similar, suggesting stable resale value. Event planners advise buying in bulk during promotions, as the inserts have no expiration and can be stored for future events.
FAQ
Q: Do these inserts come with badge holders?
A: No. Multiple users note that holders must be purchased separately. Avery lists compatible models to ensure proper fit.
Q: Will they work with non-Avery badge holders?
A: They may fit some non-Avery holders, but sizing can vary. Users recommend checking measurements before buying.
Q: Can I print on both sides?
A: Yes, the cardstock is suitable for double-sided printing, which some use for adding schedules or maps on the reverse.
Q: Are they reusable?
A: The inserts themselves are not reusable once printed, but compatible holders allow swapping out new inserts as needed.
Q: Is mail merge difficult to set up?
A: No. Avery’s Design & Print software streamlines mail merge, and users report creating hundreds of badges in minutes.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re an event organizer, HR manager, or school administrator needing quick, professional badges in volume. Avoid if you expect holders included or require compatibility with non-Avery lanyards without checking sizing. Pro tip from the community: use Avery’s online templates and avoid bypass trays for large runs to ensure perfect alignment.
