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Choosing a lanyard might seem simple – but that’s where you’d be wrong. With so many options in lanyard types, materials, styles and attachments to pick from, your organisation should take the utmost care to find the right fit. From company brand identity to supporting your visitor management systems and beyond, the humble lanyard can play many important roles within your wider routines. And, crucially, being prudent from the get-go, can save time, money and the stress of getting it wrong – like discovering a misprint the day before your event, or realising your badge holders don't fit. Whether you're in HR, event planning, or health and safety, we can promise that you’ll find the best lanyard to suit your needs. All it takes is some mulling over.
What This Blog Covers:
- Lanyard Types at a Glance
- Choosing the Right Lanyard Material
- Printing & Design Methods
- Lanyard Attachments, Accessories & Styles
- Lanyards by Industry & Use Case
- Still Not Sure What You Need?
- FAQs
The Different Types of Lanyards at a Glance
| Lanyard Type | Best For | Key Benefits | Material/Print Options |
| Screen Printed | Budget-friendly promotions | Economical, Pantone matched, bold text & logos | Polyester, Nylon |
| Dye Sublimated | Events, merchandise, detailed branding | Photo-quality print, full-colour, double-sided | Polyester |
| Woven | Hard-wearing requirements, simple branding | Stitched logos for longevity, premium look | Polyester, Nylon |
| Tubular Polyester | All-day wear, staff ID | Comfortable shoelace feel, stretchable | Tubular Polyester |
| Eco-Friendly (PET/Bamboo) | Climate-conscious organisations | Recycled or biodegradable, still customisable | Recycled PET, Bamboo |
| Designer & Bespoke | VIP access, merchandise, custom requirements | Unique features (LEDs, glitter, satin, cup holders) | Multiple materials & finishes available |
| Plain / Unprinted | Short time frames, when no branding is required | Affordable, washable, fast turnaround | Flat polyester |
| Doubled Ended | Security & healthcare settings, when visible identification is essential | Prevents ID from flipping over | Multiple materials & finishes available |
| Retractable | Access control, security | Badge reel sewn into lanyard | Multiple materials & finishes available |
Choosing the Right Lanyard Material Types
Before choosing a specific type of lanyard material, it's important to consider the setting and demands of your intended use. Will the lanyard be worn for long hours at a busy conference? Does it need to carry a heavy ID card, keys or access pass? Are you aiming for a sustainable solution to reflect your brand values? These questions help narrow down the material that will meet both practical needs and presentation goals.
Flat Weave Polyester
Flat weave polyester is a durable yet budget-friendly option, possessing a crisp, matt finish and strong ribbed design. Common users include school staff, councils and festivals thanks to its resistance against wear and tear.
Nylon
These lanyards come with a slightly higher price tag, but it’s for a reason. Showing off a glossy, smart look with extra durability, they make an obvious choice for healthcare settings or corporate offices, where professionalism is key.
Tubular Polyester
Constructed from loosely stitched polyester, these lanyards are shaped into a tube, on which you can screen print your logo or message. Commonly referred to as a boot lace or shoelace style lanyard, the end product features a “stretchy” texture, setting it apart when it comes to wear and tear. Best for long-term wear – think event staff, warehouse teams, or tour guides – this type of lanyard is both comfortable and economical.
Satin
A popular option among custom or designer lanyard requirements, a satin finish is a stylish way to distinguish VIP guests or just make your visitors feel special. Smooth to the touch, hard-wearing and visually appealing, these lanyards bring a sense of sophistication into the picture.
Sustainable
Ideal for B Corps, organisations in the climate space or simply planet-conscious small businesses, sustainable material options allow for staff to wear their values – quite literally. By incorporating an ethic of environmental responsibility into each aspect of your organisation, you’re actively advocating for positive change.
Recycled PET
The more sustainable version of an ordinary polyester lanyard, recycled PET lanyards take old plastic bottles that were once bound for landfill and give them a new life, reducing virgin plastic production and conserving precious resources. Not only are they a great sustainable option, but they’re not compromised on performance.
Bamboo
Bamboo lanyards are a popular choice thanks to their super soft, cotton-like finish and biodegradable credentials. Wearing them, staff can feel peace of mind that their impact is minimal, despite the high-quality durability and appearance.
Printing & Design Methods
Once you have your desired material in mind, it’s time to start thinking about the various printing and design methods in play. While most materials are compatible with the common printing techniques, it’s always best to confirm with your lanyard provider before ordering – especially if you are on a short time frame.
Screen Printed
Working with simple logos or text? Then, screen printing might be for you. Ideal for custom designs, given their durability, screen printed lanyards boast a smooth matt finish and sharp logo reproduction – all achieved via a silk screen or litho-printed techniques. Plus, their reputation for being reliable, crisp, and economical makes them perfect for giveaways or large-scale events.
Dye Sublimation
Need full-colour artwork or photo-quality prints? Then we suggest opting for dye sublimated lanyards. The go-to when more complex designs and colour requirements are in order, their durable, sharp and saturated designs make them a great fit for exhibitions, conferences, or promotional merchandise that packs a punch.
Woven
After a stitched logo that lasts? Then why not choose a woven lanyard for a tactile, high-quality finish? Not only do you get a product that stands out from the rest, but they’re well-suited to faster-paced environments where a lower-quality lanyard could be more easily damaged.
Plain / Unprinted
Sometimes, simple is best, and that’s what you get with an Only Lanyards unprinted lanyard. Whether you’re short on time and need rapid deployment, or branding your neck strap constitutes a security breach, this option saves much of the hassle. With a great variety of colours, we can match your branding without going too overboard, and we won’t compromise on quality either.
Lanyard Attachments, Accessories & Styles
One of the benefits of lanyards is their sheer customisability. With a breadth of accessories at your fingertips from cardholders and clips to solidarity badges to demonstrate your allyship at work, it’s not just about style – but substance too. Below are the most common lanyard styles, attachments and compatible accessories to bring your vision to life.
Standard vs. Double Ended vs. Retractable
First, let’s look at the different kinds of lanyards by connection style. By this, we mean the way in which the clips and attachments connect to the main body or neck strap of the lanyard. These styles fall into 3 main categories:
- Standard: What most people envision a regular lanyard, with one loop possessing a single clip. Suited to holding ID cards, keys or name badges.
- Double Ended: A lanyard with two clips on either end, these clips preventing badges from flipping. This is best employed for security and visitor management purposes.
- Retractable: A regular lanyard; however, the standard clips are replaced with a retractable pass holder sewn into the lanyard, making access simple whether via electronic ID card reader or manual lock.
Common Attachments
We’ve covered how attachments and accessories can be added to the lanyard, but what about the attachments themselves? Here is a list of some of the common ones.
- Japan Hook
- Split Ring
- Swivel J Hook (Dog Clip)
- Plastic or Metal Crocodile Clip
- Plastic Trigger Clip
- Plastic Hook
- Oval Hook (Lobster Claw)
- Mobile Phone String or Detachable Release
For a more comprehensive look, it’s best to head over to our complete lanyard attachments guide.
Accessories
Finally, let’s get to the fun part – accessories! If you're looking to turn your lanyards into collector-worthy items, these add-ons are the best place to start. Whether for bespoke merchandise, brand activations, fashion retail, or limited-edition runs, there’s an option for you. To give you a taste of the variety, here are some popular choices.
- Metal Crimp or Ferule
- Whistle
- Lip Balm
- Carabiner
- Quick Release or Short Release Clip
- Water Bottle Holder
- Lanyard Length Adjuster
Lanyards by Industry & Use Case
As we’ve explored in previous blogs, lanyards – despite their simple anatomy – can be wonderfully versatile, serving many helpful functions across a plethora of industries from events management, HR and corporate, to educational and healthcare settings. As such, below we’ve laid out a handful of use cases that may help you further refine what exactly it is you need in your specific circumstances.
Healthcare and Corporate ID
Lanyards in these environments need to be both functional and professional as a rule. Uses typically include staff identification, key cards, and access control (see our visitor management guide for the full scoop). Thus, we recommend materials like flat weave polyester, which helpfully balance affordability with comfort, or perhaps tubular lanyards for those expecting all-day wear. Other things to keep in mind are safety breakaways; in high-traffic areas or medical facilities, these are a must, while double-ended options help maintain front-facing ID visibility.
Events and Exhibitions
Event organisers rely on lanyards for access control, branding and attendee identification. Dye sublimated lanyards are a great option here, allowing for bold, full-colour designs that keep your event branding consistent at every level. Whether it’s festivals, conferences or trade shows, with staff and attendees equipped with high-quality lanyards, they’ll leave with a lasting impression of your brand. You can even use satin and glow-in-the-dark designer finishes to distinguish VIP or backstage access, making these individuals feel very special indeed!
Hidden Disabilities and Accessibility
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme is growing in recognition across the UK. These lanyards discreetly signal that the wearer may need additional support, help with access needs or extra consideration. Typically, Sunflower lanyards are flat polyester lanyards with a bright sunflower pattern and are suitable for airports, transport hubs, retail and events.
Education and Schools
In schools, colleges and sixth forms, lanyards help identify staff, visitors and volunteers. Safety is a top concern, so lanyards with breakaways are essential – particularly if children on the younger end of the spectrum are involved. Our recommendation here is a tubular option. These types of lanyards are comfortable for all-day wear and ideal for both students and staff. Plus, screen printed designs make it easy to customise with school colours and logos.
Still Not Sure What You Need?
We understand, decision fatigue can be a killer. Fortunately, our expert team is always happy to help sift through your favourite lanyard types. Whether you're running a large-scale event or outfitting your team at work, we offer jargon-free advice and quick turnarounds. Get in touch for personalised guidance – our team is poised to assist.
FAQs
What lanyard types are most common?
Flat polyester screen-printed lanyards are the most widely used thanks to their cost and customisation options.
Can I order eco-friendly lanyards with branding?
Yes! Both bamboo and recycled PET lanyards can be custom printed and Pantone / hex code matched.
What lanyard is best for ID badges?
Double-ended lanyards or those with bulldog clips are best to prevent badge spinning.
Do all your lanyards have safety breaks?
Yes, safety is a priority. As a standard, every lanyard includes a safety break.
What’s the best type for promotions?
Dye-sublimated lanyards offer bold, full-colour designs that stand out, so are an excellent choice if your design needs to be particularly visible.