Skip to content
You've probably noticed people wearing lanyards at events you've been to, whether it was a big-ticket music festival or a small business networking brunch. In this blog, we look at how personalised lanyards play a part in running a successful event.
How are lanyards used at events?
Lanyards are a popular mechanism for quickly identifying people, which is why they work so well at large events where there are a lot of people and it's hard to keep track of who everyone is.
You can usually identify the wearer by the logo printed on their lanyard or the ID card holder that is attached to the bottom by a metal clip.
At a quick glance, the security team in a crowded venue can check the ID of everyone there, and pick out the people who aren't wearing a lanyard. It's particularly useful for identifying temporary staff whose names and faces you don't yet know.
It's not just the lanyard's obvious security benefits that make it popular though, because they also be used for raising brand awareness. Every time the recipient wears the lanyard your logo will be seen.
What type of events use lanyards?
Lanyards can be seen at most events – big and small – to help identify staff and guests. Wherever there is a mix of people who don't know each other, you'll find people wearing customised lanyards.
Just some of the events where designer lanyards are popular include:
- music festivals
- performances and concerts
- sporting events
- business conferences
- trades shows
- exhibitions and open days
- networking events
For business events, customised lanyards are more likely to be used to make introductions between people who don't know each other. It's much easier to network if you can address somebody by their name and you know where they work.
Our clear PVC pouch is ideal for holding business cards or temporary ID badges.
Personalised lanyards with a clip-on plastic pouch are also popular with hen parties. It's now the must-have accessory for holding the itinerary for the night (or weekend), and it's a great alternative to t-shirts for all the hens.
How do you personalise a lanyard?
It's easy to personalise a lanyard – you simply have to choose a material for the fabric loop, and pick a design to have printed on it. At Only Lanyards, we're here to help every step of the way.
You can choose from a screen-printed lanyard or a dye-sublimated lanyard:
- screen printed lanyard : this type of print works well with a flat, ribbed polyester material. It's ideal for bold, vibrant designs in one or two spot colours, and it's guaranteed not to rub off or fade over time.
- dye-sublimated lanyard: as its name suggests, this process involves dying the fabric, and it lends itself well to intricate designs. With this type of print you can print in full colour on both sides of the lanyard.
Dye-sublimated lanyards are printed on a smoother, silkier type of polyester. For something a bit different, you can also choose to have your lanyard made from nylon or a designer material, like denim.
Coming up with a design for your lanyard isn't as easy as it sounds, because you're working with a small space.
To really make sure your design stands out, we recommend keeping it simple:
- use contrasting colours (white against a dark colour, for example)
- stick to one typeface and avoid small print
- prioritise bold elements that can be seen from a distance
If you'd rather hand over the design work, our team are here to help. We can also accept your complete artwork, and you can upload this easily through the website.
What clips and attachments are available?
When it comes to clips and attachments, there is no shortage of options for your event.
All our lanyards come with a metal trigger clip as standard, but you can upgrade this to a lobster claw, carabiner, Japan hook, crocodile clip, a split ring, or one of many more.
We also include safety breaks on all our lanyards, which can be removed on request.
Think about why you're issuing your staff and attendees with a lanyard – if it's for security, then consider using lanyard card holders. Made from rigid plastic, they can be attached to the bottom of the lanyard with a clip and used for carrying an ID card or badge.
If your objective is to raise brand awareness, then choose an attachment that will have the recipient reaching for their lanyard again and again. The more your lanyard is used, the more opportunities there are for people to see your logo.
Consider a fun but useful attachment that ties into the theme of the event – a whistle at a sports event, or a torch at a music festival, are both great examples.
We don't expect you to be an expert at choosing lanyard clips and attachments, because we are! We have years of experience in helping people to create event lanyards that meet their objectives.
Can you use plain lanyards for events?
If you're in a hurry, or budget is a limiting factor, then consider using a plain lanyard instead. Coloured lanyards are great for identifying people working in different zones or areas of a venue.
In fact, the different colours could have any meaning assigned to them – you might choose to give your VIP guests a particular colour lanyard, or have your speakers in a different colour to your event staff.
The same clips and attachments are available for plain lanyards, and if you can afford to wait a bit longer, we can arrange to have the lanyard printed in your brand's colour.
Lanyards for events – the key takeaway
When it comes to organising an event, few things are as important as the safety of your staff and guests. Lanyards are a great way of being able to identify people at a glance and what's more, they double-up as an advertising opportunity.
For help choosing and designing a lanyard to suit your event, contact our friendly team.