At HelpCounter we are in the software and not the hardware business. So, while we will do our best to support any hardware you use, we do not sell it. We encourage you to purchase the hardware where you feel comfortable with the quality, price, return policy, etc. We are not in a position to compete with the likes of Amazon in selling hardware. We will put links to products on Amazon only because it's very convenient, but you may purchase from any source you prefer.
For badge printing, HelpCounters uses the Dymo 450 series Labelwriter printers. Any of the 450 series will work and there's no real advantage in the 'turbo' version. The dual roll versions will allow you use sticker badges on one roll and roll paper on the other. Roll paper is preferred over sticker badges for student late arrival passes.
For the labels/badges themselves, our printing templates use the standard shipping label - 4" x 2 5/16".
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dymo+450+label+printer&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Until we recently added TouchLess SignIn, all scanning was done using standard barcodes and most standard barcode scanners would work fine.
Because printing using TouchLess SignIn requires reading a barcode off of a mobile phone screen, it requires a different type of scanner that will also read QR Codes.
Here's an inexpensive one we purchased from Amazon that works very well. It was in very short supply when we first recommended it, but seems to be regularly in stock now. Amazon did link to another model when out of stock, so make sure the item you order looks like this photo.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G888QZZ/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_7?smid=A5H490OVACQU1&psc=1