CUSTOM LANYARDS 101

While there are tons of options to sift through, understanding the difference will allow you to choose the perfect ones. Lets break down all the options and then ask two key questions at the end.

Custom Lanyard Imprint Methods

There are three main methods for imprinting your message onto a lanyard:

Screen print or Silkscreen (same thing)

Emroidered

Dye-Sublimation

Lanyard Fabrics

This may seem trivial but depending on your use of the lanyard there are a few things you may want to consider. You may not have a choice in fabric depending on imprint method but it’s worth knowing what you’re getting.

Cotton

Polyester

Nylon

Poly-Satin

Once you choose the imprint method and fabric (if necessary) the decisions become a bit more straight-forward.

Color

When selecting your lanyard and message colors, make sure they different enough so that your customization is easily visible. Most customers stick with black text on light colored lanyards and white text on dark colored lanyards.

Fonts

All suppliers should have a few fonts that you can choose from, just remember that you want this to be legible, so stick with a font that is clear and easy to read.

Attachments

All lanyards have an attachment at the bottom that you can connect and ID badge, name tag, keys, and a multitude of other things you deem necessary to carry around. There can be a lot of options, in terms of plastic or metal, but here is the basic breakdown of the most popular attachments.

J-Hook

Bull-Dog Clip

Split Ring

Lobster Claw

Bonus Tip: Some attachments will have a swivel so it’s easy to flip a name tag or ID badge from front to back while attached to the lanyard. I personally like the swivel as it allows for some free-flow movement of what is attached to your lanyard but if you’re adamant that one side of what is attached must be showing at all times, this may not be an option you want.

Breakaway

The breakaway keeps lanyards from being a choking hazard. A plastic clasp, typically with male and female parts, is placed at the back of the neck of the lanyard. When the lanyard is pulled on the plastic clasp will come apart. It doesn’t break, you can fit the parts back together, closing the clasp, and continue using the lanyard. This is great if lanyards are being given to children or used in a facility where the lanyard could get caught on something. Honestly, it’s a great safety feature and you should get it.

Hopefully by now you have a good idea of what you want your lanyard to be, but before you go and order, there are two key questions:

How quickly do I need them?

How many do I need?

In terms of choosing who you buy custom lanyards from, here are two pieces of advice.

First and foremost, make sure the supplier has the options you are looking for. If you don’t see the options you want on their website, call and ask. Most vendors, including IDville, should be able to get you what you need. If they can’t or won’t, they aren’t worth dealing with.
You are likely paying a good sum of money for the lanyards you want, so make sure you get what you want. This not only includes the actual product but the service, support, and guarantees that go along with a good business partner. IDville’s 30-day money-back guarantee is legit, let it give you peace of mind. On top of that, our customer service staff is top-notch, if you don’t believe me (because let’s face it, I’m biased) check out our customer reviews.