Custom lanyards for events may seem like a straightforward purchase until you’re attending a trade show, and 500 people are wearing lanyards that are made from the wrong fabric, whose logos have faded after just two days, or whose clasps keep breaking.
This is not a complex process. However, it does demand knowing which questions you should be asking. Here’s an overview of all the decisions you need to make to ensure that your custom lanyards deliver optimally for your event.
Why Custom Lanyards for Events Remain Relevant
While event planners can use other identification methods, such as RFID badges & passes, they have consistently opted for custom lanyards for events due to these reasons:
- Visible at Eye Level. A lanyard is easily visible to others. Thus, your logo, sponsor, and event name will be seen dozens of times a day, making it a powerful marketing tool.
- Easy Identification. Colorful or printed lanyards make it easy for security guards, volunteers, and other attendees to instantly recognize the role, VIP status, media presence, and other factors related to the individual they see.
- Long-Term Marketing. In many cases, the custom-branded lanyard received at an event may be kept for weeks afterward, giving event organizers free marketing.
- Inexpensive. It would be difficult to find a more cost-efficient branded item than a custom-printed lanyard, especially when purchasing in bulk.
Custom Lanyards for Events: What to Check
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Choose the Right Material First
The choice of material determines everything thereafter: how it will print, how durable it is, and how comfortable it will be worn around the neck.
- Polyester. This is the most commonly used material for making custom lanyards for events. This material is affordable, durable, easy to print via screen printing or dye sublimation, and it caters to a wide variety of events including corporate meetings, concerts, and festivals. For bulk orders of lanyards at an event and when you need something reliable and versatile, polyester is the way to go.
- Nylon. Slightly smoother and more reflective compared to polyester; nylon gives a slightly silkier texture. Due to the reflective nature of this material, logos and designs appear sharp and vibrant. Although nylon costs a bit more than polyester, this material is recommended for premium events such as product launch meetings and corporate conferences.
- Woven. Designs and logos are directly woven into the material using colored threads. The logo design appears due to colored threads that form a part of the fabric itself.
- Bamboo & RPET (Recycled PET). Natural bamboo fiber material or recycled plastic bottles provide a smooth lanyard texture. These eco-friendly materials are the appropriate choice when holding sustainability events or conferences.
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Pick the Right Print Method for Your Design
The print method affects how your design looks and how long it lasts.
- Dye Sublimation Printing. The most popular method for full-color, photographic, or gradient-heavy designs. Ink is infused into the fabric fibers rather than sitting on top, so the print cannot peel, crack, or fade. Dye sublimation lanyards are the standard choice for conference lanyards with complex artwork, sponsor logos in multiple colors, or branded patterns running the full length of the strap.
- Screen printing. Screen printing is ideal for lanyards featuring a simple design with one to four colors. Unlike sublimation printing, the screen-printing technique allows ink application directly on the strap, thus making it more cost-effective compared to sublimation printing.
- Woven/embroidered. As described above, the design is constructed from threads rather than printed. No color restrictions, no fading, but the level of fine detail is limited compared to sublimation.
- Heat transfer. A middle-ground option between screen printing and sublimation. Suitable for mid-complexity designs where sublimation is not available on the chosen material.
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Select Your Attachment Type
Attachment refers to the part at the end of the lanyard which holds the badge holder, key card, or access pass. The swivel clip is the most common type of attachment. Easier to clip onto badge holders and ring badges, swivel clip attachments are strong and very convenient to use with one hand.
Other options include bulldog clip, retractable reel, key ring, and phone loop.
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Breakaway Clasp: Safety Feature You Should Not Skip
A breakaway clasp (safety breakaway) is a clip sewn at the rear end of the lanyard that breaks open when exposed to force. Should the lanyard become entangled with any object or person pulls the lanyard, the clip opens before the strap can strangle the wearer.
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Width, Length, and Size
Standard lanyard specifications for events:
- Width. 10mm for lightweight everyday use, 15mm as the standard for printed logo lanyards, 20mm for wider print areas or bolder branding.
- Length. 45cm (18 inches) is standard, placing the attachment point at mid-chest. Some suppliers measure the total strap length before folding, which would be 90cm. Confirm which measurement your supplier uses before ordering.
- Adjustment. Most lanyards are a fixed loop. Adjustable lanyards using a sliding buckle are available and suit events where a universal fit is important.
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Eco-Friendly Lanyards: When and Why to Choose Them
If your event has a sustainability policy or your attendees expect you to be environmentally responsible, eco-friendly lanyards will come in handy. Key options include:
- RPET Lanyards. Made from recycled plastic bottles. Soft, durable, and printable with full-color sublimation.
- Bamboo Lanyards. Naturally grown, biodegradable, and finished with a smooth texture. Best paired with bamboo or wooden barrel locks to eliminate all plastic components.
- Organic Cotton Lanyards. These lanyards provide a softer, more natural feel than polyester, suitable for wellness events or premium branded merchandise.
Ask your supplier for certification documentation: FSC certification for wood-based components, GRS (Global Recycled Standard) for RPET, and OEKO-TEX certification for any material touching skin.
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How to Order Custom Lanyards in Bulk Without Common Mistakes?
When ordering custom lanyards for an event, there are many more factors to consider than the typical customer usually anticipates. The following should be established before you make the final decision to go ahead and place the order:
- Provide vector artwork (files such as AI, EPS, or PDFs) to ensure perfect results. Other formats accepted include JPEG or PNG, but only for sublimation prints, and must be a minimum of 300 DPI.
- Pantone matching system. This applies if your business has designated Pantone colors. Screen and sublimation processes reproduce colors differently.
- Minimum order quantity (MOQ). The usual MOQ will be between 100-250 pieces when ordering custom printed lanyards. A smaller MOQ is possible with most suppliers but costs more per unit.
- Production lead time. A standard production lead time will be 5-10 days. Rush production services are available within 2-5 days but incur additional charges. Don’t forget to account for shipping lead times, especially if your supplier is offshore.
- Sample approval. It is recommended that you ask for a pre-production sample before commencing production, especially for large orders.
Attachment and badge holder confirmation. If you are supplying badge holders separately, confirm that the attachment type and holder size are compatible before ordering either item.
The Bottom Line
Event lanyards are certainly nothing fancy. Yet there is hardly any other brandable product that beats them when it comes to brand visibility.
A good lanyard that uses the best material, printing technology, and attaching method can make an excellent first impression even before you have a chance to welcome your guests. Use this guide to get the best custom lanyard for events hassle-free!
