ID and events
How to choose a lanyard for ID badges and passes
Last updated
A lanyard looks simple, but a few choices decide how well it works for the people wearing it. Width, material, print, clip and release all change how the badge hangs, how easy it is to read and how safe it is to wear. This guide explains each part in plain terms so you can pick the right lanyard for your event, office or school.
If you need a cord for keys rather than a card around the neck, see key lanyards vs ID lanyards.
Start with who wears it and where
Three questions settle most choices:
- How long is it worn? A guest at a one day conference and a staff member who wears a pass every day need different levels of comfort and wear.
- Does it need a logo, or just a role colour? A logo means a printed strap. A clear role colour such as visitor, staff or contractor can be enough for a reception desk or venue entry.
- Could it catch on anything? Schools, worksites and areas near machinery usually call for a breakaway release.
With those answers in hand, the rest of the choices are quick.
Strap width
Printed lanyards come in 10, 15, 20 and 25 mm widths.
- Wider straps give a logo more room and are easier to read across a room or a queue.
- Narrower straps feel lighter under a collar or blazer and suit everyday desk wear.
Detailed full colour artwork usually looks cleaner on 15 mm and wider, because fine detail needs space. A bold one or two colour logo can sit well on a narrower strap.
Strap material
| Polyester | Flat nylon | Recycled polyester | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Soft woven strap | Smoother and glossier | Same feel as standard polyester |
| Screen or full colour | Screen or full colour | Screen or full colour | |
| Good for | A reliable all rounder | A strap that looks premium | Orders that need recycled content |
Flat nylon lanyards have a denser, shinier finish. Recycled polyester lanyards print and wear like standard polyester when your organisation asks for recycled yarn.
Print method
Screen printing lays down solid spot colours. It suits wordmarks and simple logos in one or two colours. See screen printed lanyards.
Full colour printing reproduces gradients, photos and designs that run edge to edge. See full colour printed lanyards.
Whichever method you choose, send a vector logo if you have one. Pixelated screenshots are the usual reason a proof needs a redo. You approve a digital proof before production starts.
Clips and card holders
The fitting at the end of the strap decides how the badge hangs and how often it gets handled.
- Single claw or lobster clip: the standard fitting for one badge.
- Double clip: for a card that needs two attachment points.
- Retractable clip: lets the badge reach a card reader without taking the lanyard off.
- Card holder: a plastic card or badge holder completes an ID set.
When to add a breakaway release
A breakaway release comes apart under pressure, so the strap cannot snag. Add one when the lanyard is worn around the neck at a school, on a worksite or near machinery.
Breakaways are available on custom orders. In-stock packs do not include one.
Matching the lanyard to the setting
| Setting | What usually works |
|---|---|
| Conferences and events | A wider strap so the logo reads from a distance, with different colours for staff and guests |
| Offices | A narrower strap for daily comfort and a retractable clip if staff tap a card reader |
| Schools | A breakaway release on every lanyard worn around the neck |
| Worksites | A breakaway release and clear role colours for staff, contractors and visitors |
| Reception and visitor desks | Pre-printed role colours that need no artwork |
Printed or in-stock?
In-stock lanyards cover plain polyester and pre-printed visitor, staff, contractor, security and VIP colours. They need no artwork and can be dispatched the same day anywhere in Australia.
Choose custom printed lanyards with your logo when the logo, colours or wording have to match your brand, or when you need a breakaway release.
A quick checklist before you order
- Who wears it: guests, staff, contractors, teachers or a mix. This sets your colour split and whether you need a breakaway.
- Width, material and print: polyester unless you want nylon or recycled yarn, a width to suit the logo and screen or full colour print.
- Fitting: single clip, double clip or retractable, plus a card holder if needed.
- Quantity and proof: order for your headcount plus a few spares, then approve the digital proof.
Settle these four points and your lanyards will suit the job and the people wearing them.
Frequently asked questions
What width lanyard is best for an ID badge?+
What is the difference between screen printed and full colour lanyards?+
When does a lanyard need a breakaway release?+
Which clip should I use for an ID card?+
Ready to add your logo?
Screen printed and full colour lanyards with the clip and release your badge needs.