Every time I have to hand print my badge, I'm a little surprised. But I've done it at cons as recently as less than a year ago (Bubonicon 38 in Albuquerque). I also remember having to do it at my first, or first couple of Windycons, which would have been around 1993 or 1994.

For at least a few of the reasons that kevin_standlee references in the Argentus article, having the name printed by the convention by some mechanical means is necessary. IMHO, as someone who doesn't like looking at his own printing, the only purpose it isn't necessary for is the "other" function.