Lanyards are some of the hottest ID card accessories available, especially for organizations that need cardholders to display badges easily. Some cardholders need their ID cards readily available for other actions like swiping through card readers, checking out equipment, etc. But most cardholders agree lanyards are not only popular but also effective.
If your organization looks for ways to include your corporate logo or brand messages, a custom lanyard offers the perfect elements. First, your staff, employees, students, and others will probably wear their lanyards outside your facilities, like when they go out to lunch. This offers plenty of opportunities for brand recognition beyond more costly marketing and advertising efforts. In addition, some corporations like to give away custom lanyards at events to keep their brand front and center in attendees' minds after the event's end.
Let's look at what you need to know when ordering custom lanyards. It's a straightforward process once you know what your options are.
Print process
There are four major printing methods to add your message on a lanyard:
- Silk-screen. This is the most popular method, one you might have seen most often. You can silk screen on almost every material with up to 3 different colors per imprint.
- EconoWeave. This is the most economical choice, featuring a thin, ribbon-like polyester material. You can only choose one color for imprinting, however.
- Dye-sublimation. If you have intricate details in your logo or message design, you'll want to use this option. You'll get the best results with a smooth polyester fabric.
- Woven-in. Your design is woven into the fabric. A tight weave gives you a crisp, clean imprint, and you can also have up to 12 thread colors.
Lanyard material & width
Your lanyard material depends on how your wearers will use their lanyards and the type of printing method you choose. Here are a few options:
- Cotton. Cotton is a soft material, but wrinkles easily. Cotton lanyards are best with silk-screen printing.
- Polyester. While still soft, they have more of a matte finish. If you're using silk-screen printing or woven-in, choose polyester.
- Nylon. Tough and durable, nylon isn't the softest option. However, it has a shiny finish which really makes these lanyards pop.
- Poly-satin. Again, not very soft, but the shiny finish makes these lanyards stand out.
Once you've chosen material, you can choose the width from: 1/4", 3/8", 5/8", 3/4", or 1".
Lanyard color & finishing
Here's where your lanyards start to match your brand's identification. Choose the color that best represents your brand from the twelve choices available. You can choose a different color later for your actual message or logo. Your lanyard color should work well with the background of your logo, if any.
This is also where you choose if you want a break-away lanyard. Most schools and daycares use break-away lanyards as do many medical professional staff and manufacturing plant employees. Any situation where a lanyard might get caught or stuck requires a break-away lanyard.
Finally, you choose the end fitting:
- Nickel-plated steel (NPS) swivel hook
- NPS swivel bulldog clip
- NPS split ring
- NPS steel trigger snap hook
- Plastic black hook
- Black oxide swivel hook
The swivel hooks are popular because it allows ID cards to show both sides easily.
Customization
Your logo and/or your brand messaging makes the lanyard truly unique. For easy brand recognition, upload a file with your logo to avoid errors in trying to reproduce it during printing. You can also choose the color you want the text displayed in and select how many colors your logo needs for printing.
This is the creative part where you marry colors and design in a customized lanyard that gets attention. For example, every school has school colors and a mascot. Imagine how easily recognizable a custom lanyard with your school colors and a picture of your mascot would be.
Final thoughts
It takes minutes to design professional lanyards using Idesco's simple customization feature. It walks you through each of the four elements discussed above where you choose material, size, colors, finishings, and more. You can indicate how many lanyards you need and get a proof with your text and logo emailed to you for approval.
If you'd like help to put together a custom lanyard, call an Idesco ID Expert at 1-800-336-1383. Our experts have years of experience and deep expertise in creating amazing lanyards for brands just like yours. Or if you'd rather, join us in our showroom and see the different lanyard materials, colors, and designs from which to choose. Either way, you know with Idesco, you always get the best price available—guaranteed.