The Ultimate Guide to Corporate Lanyards: Materials, Attachments, and Safety

Author: Product Specialist, StationeryWorks Malaysia
Date: November 01, 2024
Category: Product Guide
Reading Time: 10 mins

The humble lanyard. It hangs around our necks at conferences, holds our access cards in the office, and keeps our keys safe. Yet, it is often the last item on the procurement list, treated as a commodity. In reality, the lanyard is one of the most visible branding real estate opportunities you have. It sits right at eye level during every conversation. A cheap, scratchy lanyard that flips over constantly sends a poor message. A high-quality, comfortable lanyard enhances the wearer's experience and elevates your brand. In this ultimate guide, we break down the anatomy of a perfect corporate lanyard.

Part 1: Material Matters

The fabric you choose determines the look, feel, and print quality.

• Polyester (The Standard): Durable, affordable, and textured. It uses a ribbed weave. Best for simple text logos using silk screen printing. It’s the workhorse of the industry.
• Nylon (The Premium Shine): Nylon has a smoother, shinier finish than polyester. It feels silkier against the skin and offers a higher perceived value. It is perfect for detailed logos as the smooth surface holds ink better.
• Tubular (The Shoelace): Made from loosely woven polyester formed into a tube. It is very soft and comfortable to wear for long periods, making it ideal for multi-day conferences. However, the print area is limited because the fabric bunches up.
• Dye Sublimation (The Full Color): This is a smooth, satin-like polyester. The design is heat-transferred into the fabric (not on top), allowing for edge-to-edge, full-color photo-quality printing. If your brand uses gradients or complex graphics, this is the only choice. It is also the softest against the skin.
• RPET (The Eco Choice): Made from recycled plastic bottles. It has a similar texture to standard polyester but comes with a great sustainability story. Pair this with our eco-friendly trends for a complete green package.

Part 2: Width and Length

• Standard Widths: 15mm, 20mm, and 25mm.
  • 15mm: Subtle and lightweight. Good for office access cards.
  • 20mm: The industry standard. Offers a good balance of comfort and logo visibility.
  • 25mm: Bold. Great for events where you want the branding to be seen from a distance, but can be heavy to wear all day.
• Standard Length: 900mm (total loop), hanging roughly to the mid-chest / navel area. We can customize lengths for schools (children) or specific safety requirements.

Part 3: Attachments and Clips

The "hardware" at the end of the lanyard is crucial for functionality.

• Metal Hook (Lobster Claw): The most popular. Secure, easy to open, and swivels to keep the card facing forward.
• Bulldog Clip: Good for cards with a slot punch, but can be fiddly to open.
• Oval Hook: A premium, jewelry-like finish.
• String Loop: Essential for holding mobile phones or USB drives.
• Buckle (Detachable): A plastic clip that allows you to detach the bottom part (with the keys/card) without taking the lanyard off your neck. Perfect for scanning access cards at turnstiles.

Part 4: Safety Breakaway (Non-Negotiable?)

A "Safety Breakaway" is a plastic clasp at the back of the neck that pops open if the lanyard gets pulled or snagged.

• Why it matters: In factories, hospitals, or schools, a lanyard that doesn't break can be a choking hazard if it gets caught in machinery or pulled by a child.
• Recommendation: For corporate offices, it's optional. For industrial sites, events with crowds, or schools, it is mandatory. We always recommend including it—it costs cents but provides priceless safety.

Part 5: Printing Techniques

• Silkscreen: Best for 1-3 solid colors. Crisp, sharp lines. The ink sits on top of the fabric (can feel slightly raised).
• Heat Transfer (Sublimation): Best for unlimited colors. The ink is absorbed. Smooth to the touch.
• Woven: The logo is actually stitched into the fabric using different colored threads. Extremely durable and premium, but limited to simple text/logos and higher MOQs.

Conclusion

Don't leave your lanyards to the last minute. A well-chosen lanyard—perhaps a 20mm Dye Sublimation strap with a metal hook and safety breakaway—is a functional accessory that employees and delegates will appreciate. It’s a small detail that speaks volumes about your brand's quality standards.