How to choose a lanyard: materials, fittings and print methods

Start with who wears it and for how long. Daily staff usually do best with a polyester strap, a metal hook and a breakaway clip if safety is a concern. Conference guests can use a lighter polyester strap with a full-colour print, while VIP passes often look better on satin. Then choose the print method according to your logo and quantity.

Strap materials

• Polyester: the everyday choice. It is strong, takes print well and handles repeated use.
• Satin: smooth and dressy with a slight sheen, suited to VIP passes and formal occasions. It is less suited to rough daily use.
• Nylon: soft and shiny, and often chosen where a premium feel matters, on request.
• Tubular polyester: a soft, round-feeling strap that is economical for large, short-term events, but it gives less room and detail for print, on request.
• Recycled polyester or cotton: useful if sustainability is part of your event message, on request. If you make an environmental claim, ask for evidence from the supplier first.

Width and length

Width decides how much of your logo fits. Straps are commonly made around 10, 15, 20 or 25 mm wide. A long company name in both Arabic and English usually needs the wider end, as text that gets too small on a narrow strap is hard to read. Measure your logo at its smallest readable height, then allow a margin above and below.

A finished drop of around 45 cm is common, but check it against where the card should sit. If a card reader needs to be reached at waist height, a longer drop or a retractable reel can help.

Fittings

The fitting often fails before the strap, so it deserves as much thought as the print.

• Metal J hook or trigger hook: simple and common, and fine for most card holders.
• Lobster claw: closes more securely, which helps when a badge must not fall off.
• Bulldog clip: grips a card or fabric directly, useful when cards have no slot.
• Swivel hook: stops the strap twisting, and helps a badge face forward.
• Safety breakaway clip: releases under a sudden pull at the neck. Worth considering around machinery, for school settings or where a strap could catch on something. It is not a substitute for your own risk assessment.
• Buckle: lets the wearer detach the lower part, handy for scanning cards.
• Double attachment: two hooks at the ends hold a badge straight and stop it flipping over, so the name stays visible.

Styles and breakaway fittings are on request, so ask us before you finalise a design.

Card holders

The holder should match your card. A standard ID card measures about 85.6 x 54 mm, while conference badges are often much larger and need a larger soft or rigid holder. Rigid holders protect access cards used every day, and soft vinyl is light for short events. Check the punch slot position on the card, so the holder and hook work together.

Print methods

• Sublimation on polyester: the dye goes into the fibre, so the print resists rubbing well and has almost no surface feel. It suits full-colour designs, patterns and sponsor logos. It needs a light base, so dark backgrounds are printed as part of the design.
• Silk screen: good for simple logos in one or two solid colours, and more economical on larger runs. Each colour needs a screen, so gradients are not suitable.
• DTF: useful for detailed multi-colour logos on dark straps in shorter runs. It sits on the surface, so you may feel a slight film.
• Woven: the logo is woven into the strap, giving a textured, long-lasting finish, but it suits only simple shapes. Ask if this is possible for your job.

Also check both sides. A logo printed on one side can flip out of sight when the strap twists, so a repeat pattern on both sides is often worth it. Repeat the logo frequently along the strap so it shows however the lanyard hangs.

Quick decisions by use

• Daily staff access: polyester, sublimation or silk screen, metal hook or swivel, rigid holder.
• Large conference: polyester with sublimation, including sponsor logos, soft holder, double attachment if badges are large.
• VIP or ceremony: satin with a clean logo and a neat fitting, in a separate colour from other badges so that staff can identify access levels at a glance.
• Site or workshop: breakaway clip, a tough holder, and a colour system for visitors and contractors.

Order some spares for last-minute guests, and leave enough time for proofs. Send us your logo, card size and quantity, and we will suggest a combination and show you a layout on your chosen width before printing. Standard orders typically take 2-5 business days plus delivery.