diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte
index 822c54d7..11451182 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte
@@ -341,20 +341,53 @@ function font_size_reset(
 // --- Accordion: one field section open at a time ---
 let active_field: string | null = $state(null);
 
+// --- Unsaved-change guard ---
+// When the user tries to close or switch away from a dirty field, we DON'T
+// silently discard. Instead we set pending_close = true, which turns the Save
+// button bright red + pulsing so they notice they have unsaved changes.
+// A second close attempt (while pending_close is already true) actually discards.
+// WHY: kiosk attendees at a conference are confused when changes disappear without
+// warning; they can't lose a professional title or affiliation mid-queue.
+let pending_close = $state(false);
+
+/** Returns the dirty state for the given field key. */
+function is_dirty_for_field(field_key: string): boolean {
+    switch (field_key) {
+        case 'name': return is_dirty_name;
+        case 'title': return is_dirty_title;
+        case 'affiliations': return is_dirty_affiliations;
+        case 'location': return is_dirty_location;
+        case 'pronouns': return is_dirty_pronouns;
+        case 'allow_tracking': return is_dirty_allow_tracking;
+        case 'badge_type': return is_dirty_badge_type;
+        default: return false;
+    }
+}
+
 function toggle_field(key: string) {
-    // Capture whether the caller is closing the field that's already open.
+    // Capture whether the caller is re-clicking the field that's already open.
     const was_open = active_field === key;
-    // Always cancel the current field before switching — discards any unsaved edit
-    // state so stale typed values don't bleed into the badge preview after the
-    // accordion closes. The explicit [X] button calls cancel_field directly;
-    // clicking away to another field (or re-clicking the pencil) must do the same.
-    if (active_field) {
-        cancel_field(active_field); // resets edit vars + sets active_field = null
+
+    if (active_field && !was_open) {
+        // User is trying to switch to a different field.
+        if (is_dirty_for_field(active_field) && !pending_close) {
+            // Dirty — warn instead of switching. The Save button turns red so
+            // the user knows they need to save (or cancel) the current field first.
+            pending_close = true;
+            return; // block the switch
+        }
+        // Either clean, or second attempt after warning — discard and switch.
+        cancel_field(active_field);
     }
-    if (!was_open) {
-        active_field = key; // open the new field
+
+    if (was_open) {
+        // Clicking the same field header again: same guard as the X button.
+        cancel_field(key);
+        return;
     }
-    // If was_open: active_field stays null — the field is now closed.
+
+    pending_close = false;
+    active_field = key;
 }
 
 // --- Editable field state ---
@@ -416,6 +449,7 @@ async function save_field(field_key: string, data_kv: key_val) {
             log_lvl
         });
         field_save_status = { ...field_save_status, [field_key]: 'done' };
+        pending_close = false;
         // liveQuery auto-refreshes the badge; close the accordion after a brief confirmation.
         setTimeout(() => {
             field_save_status = { ...field_save_status, [field_key]: 'idle' };
@@ -434,6 +468,15 @@ async function save_field(field_key: string, data_kv: key_val) {
 }
 
 function cancel_field(field_key: string) {
+    // First cancel attempt while dirty → warn, don't discard.
+    // Second attempt (pending_close already set) → actually discard.
+    if (is_dirty_for_field(field_key) && !pending_close) {
+        pending_close = true;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    pending_close = false;
+
     if (!$lq__event_badge_obj) {
         active_field = null;
         return;
@@ -888,41 +931,54 @@ let allow_tracking_open = $derived(
             title="Remove override — restore original imported value"
             aria-label="Revert to original value"
             aria-hidden={!on_revert}><RotateCcw size="13" /></button>
-        <!-- Save: always in centre slot; invisible+inert when clean -->
+        <!-- Save: always in centre slot; invisible+inert when clean.
+             Turns bright red + pulses when pending_close is set — the user tried
+             to close while dirty. They must save OR press X again to discard. -->
         <button
             type="button"
             class="btn btn-sm flex-1 transition-colors"
             class:invisible={!save_visible}
             class:pointer-events-none={!save_visible}
-            class:preset-filled-warning={save_visible &&
+            class:preset-filled-error={pending_close && is_dirty && (!status || status === 'idle')}
+            class:animate-pulse={pending_close && is_dirty && (!status || status === 'idle')}
+            class:preset-filled-warning={!pending_close &&
+                save_visible &&
                 is_dirty &&
                 (!status || status === 'idle')}
             class:preset-tonal-surface={status === 'saving'}
             class:preset-filled-success={status === 'done'}
-            class:preset-tonal-error={status === 'error'}
+            class:preset-tonal-error={status === 'error' && !pending_close}
             disabled={!save_visible || status === 'saving'}
             tabindex={save_visible ? 0 : -1}
             onclick={on_save}
-            title="Save changes"
+            title={pending_close ? 'Unsaved changes — save or press × to discard' : 'Save changes'}
             aria-label="Save changes"
             aria-hidden={!save_visible}>
             {#if status === 'saving'}
                 <LoaderCircle size="14" class="mr-1 animate-spin" /> Saving…
             {:else if status === 'done'}
                 <Check size="14" class="mr-1" /> Saved
-            {:else if status === 'error'}
+            {:else if status === 'error' && !pending_close}
                 Error — retry
+            {:else if pending_close}
+                Save first (or × to discard)
             {:else}
                 <Check size="14" class="mr-1" /> Save
             {/if}
         </button>
-        <!-- Cancel: always visible at right end -->
+        <!-- Cancel: always visible at right end.
+             When pending_close is active the label changes to "Discard" so the
+             user knows a second tap will throw away their edit. -->
         <button
             type="button"
-            class="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-surface"
+            class="btn btn-sm"
+            class:preset-tonal-surface={!pending_close}
+            class:preset-tonal-error={pending_close}
             onclick={on_cancel}
-            title="Cancel"
-            aria-label="Cancel editing"><X size="14" /></button>
+            title={pending_close ? 'Discard changes' : 'Cancel'}
+            aria-label={pending_close ? 'Discard changes' : 'Cancel editing'}>
+            <X size="14" />
+        </button>
     </div>
 {/snippet}