A guide to Buying your First Conbadge:

Firstly, there's no requirement to have a badge beyond your registration badge; that's the one that everyone gets. But being creative folks, furries often seek something... more. You can create one yourself with your own artistic skills, use images from SecondLife or other sources, but many people commission illustrated conbadges. It's often a way to get a picture from a favored artist, and there are those folks who get a fresh badge at every convention. (and then there's Orion, and.. well.. we'll cover him for Buying Your 1000th Conbadge.) If you're making your own, this guide may prove helpful in designing it.

The rates vary based on size, color, and artist; $15-30 is considered reasonable for a color badge as of 2007, though higher and lower prices happen. Some artists will have laminations and insert holders, with clips; others will simply draw you a badge-sized illustration and leave the attachment to you- and some artist will sell the holders/laminate for a modest fee.

Now, the badge itself can range dramatically in size- measured in inches, the most common ones are 2x3, 3x4, and 3x5. They're usually rectangular, though you'll see some creatively shaped ones.

The keys to a good badge are threefold: good art, good visual representation, good name.

#1: Good art. Well, you'll know this when you see this; find an artist whose style you like, perhaps one known for drawing your species.

#2: Good visual representation. This is a bit subtler. Your badge should visually tell people what your character looks like. Often artists will draw heads-and-neck, or head and upper torso, for badges; the better to focus on those areas. If you are a centaur, obviously you'll want more of the body drawn, or else no one will know, will they? Artists are generally good about capturing your character from a verbal description, but bring a written one, or reference material if you want exactness- especially if your fursona is a rare species or a hard-to-explain variation.

Also, consider props in the picture. If your fursona is an knight, tell that to the artist, so they can include armor, shields, or perhaps just a sword. If they wear glasses, dress like James Bond or Sailor Moon, like hockey, bring that up as well. If they have superpowers- like magic, or fire rays shooting from their eyes- bring that up. Remember there's only so much an artist can fit in on that badge, though! Consider what's most important about you and/or your fursona, and being able to get that across to others who will give a two-second glance to your badge. Clarity is more important than atmosphere.

#3: Good name. "Windstar Sharpfang D'zhmoul'ando" is going to occupy a lot of space on a badge; You might better opt for "Windstar", or even "Windy". Legibility is important, but that's the artist's responsibility to make it so. If you notice from extant badgework that the artist tends to use small lettering, though.. politely ask them to "Make the name on the big side". Especially in case of your first con, where you want people to be able to read who you are easily.

Finally, once you've got your badge, it's best to wear it as close to average eye level as fashionably possible- so people can see it, of course. For most people, that's clipped to your chest, or to a collar on dress shirts. Clipping it to a belt, pants pocket, or upper arm is fair, and a good place for a second badge. To shirtcuffs, costume tail, or shoes starts to get silly. On your underwear is right out.

On that note, do remember your badge will be worn in public spaces; cheesecake/beefcake and mild adult humor are quite acceptable, but extreme violence, genitalia, and 'adult situations' are almost always inappropriate for a badge. If you wouldn't wear it on your shirt at a con, don't wear it as a badge.

http://furry.wikia.com/wiki/Conbadge has further reference on conbadges. I hope this helps, and I welcome further recommendations or questions!

--Chiaroscuro