How many registration points do I need at my event?
Each staffed point takes between 30 and 90 seconds per person, depending on the type of badge and how people arrive. Take the number of people arriving at the busiest moment, multiply by those seconds and divide by the length of the peak: that gives you the staffed points. Add one printer for every two points.
Guides · Updated 18/10/2026
What makes it 30 or 90 seconds
- The quick case (about 30 s): the person brings their badge on their phone or printed, the code is scanned and their label prints.
- In between: they have to be looked up by name on the list, or a detail checked, before printing.
- The slow case (up to 90 s): they sign up at the desk because they hadn’t registered, or on top of the label they need a badge holder, lanyard or wristband.
That’s why it pays to email the badge before the event: the more people arrive with their code, the faster the queue moves.
The maths
Staffed points = people at the peak × seconds per person ÷ (minutes of the peak × 60). Printers = points ÷ 2.
We pair each printer with two staffed points, so with the right resources one printer handles twice as many people a minute. Desks are always staffed: there’s a person at every point.
| Arriving at the busiest moment | Over | If it’s quick (30 s) | If it’s slow (90 s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 people | 30 minutes | 2 points · 1 printer | 5 points · 3 printers |
| 500 people | 45 minutes | 6 points · 3 printers | 17 points · 9 printers |
| 2,000 people | 90 minutes | 12 points · 6 printers | 34 points · 17 printers |
Between quick and slow there are almost three times as many points. The cheapest way to save them isn’t more desks: it’s having people arrive with their badge and getting badge holders and lanyards ready beforehand.
To run the numbers for your event, the Print Service calculator does it for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need someone at every point?
Yes. Desks are staffed: at every point there’s a person who scans or looks up the attendee and hands over the badge. If you need it, we provide the staff.
What if people don’t all arrive at once?
Plan for the busiest moment, usually the half hour before the start. The rest of the day you’ll have points to spare.
Can self check-in save points?
Yes, if people arrive with their code: a self check-in point takes pressure off the staffed ones. We’ll look at it for your event.
How much notice do you need?
A week is usually enough if we have kit available, but we recommend booking 10 days ahead.
Shall we work it out for your event?
Tell us how many people you expect and how they’ll arrive, and we’ll tell you how many points and printers you need.