Custom lanyards are one of the most practical and effective branding tools used by businesses, schools, government agencies, healthcare institutions, and event organisers. Although their primary purpose is to hold identification cards, access passes, keys, or badges, a well-designed lanyard can also strengthen brand recognition, enhance professionalism, and improve workplace security.
Designing a custom lanyard involves much more than simply placing a logo on a strip of fabric. The colours, typography, layout, printing method, material, and accessories all contribute to the finished product. A thoughtful design ensures that your lanyard is attractive, functional, and memorable.
In this complete guide, we’ll explore what you should print on a custom lanyard, design best practices, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for creating a lanyard that represents your organisation professionally.
Why Lanyard Design Matters
A custom lanyard is worn throughout the day, making it one of the few promotional items that receives constant visibility.
Every time someone wears your branded lanyard, your organisation gains exposure in:
- Offices
- Conferences
- Trade shows
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Shopping malls
- Public transport
- Networking events
Unlike brochures or flyers that are quickly discarded, lanyards are often kept and reused for months or even years.
A professional design ensures your brand leaves a lasting impression.
Start with Your Purpose
Before designing your lanyard, define its intended use.
Ask yourself:
- Is it for employees?
- Is it for students?
- Is it for event attendees?
- Is it for visitors?
- Is it promotional merchandise?
- Will it be used every day?
The purpose will influence every design decision, from material and colour to printing method and accessories.
Print Your Company Logo
The company logo is usually the most important element on a custom lanyard.
Your logo should:
- Be clear
- Be high resolution
- Maintain proper proportions
- Match corporate branding
- Be repeated consistently along the lanyard
Avoid stretching or distorting your logo.
A professionally reproduced logo immediately improves brand recognition.
Include Your Company Name
While logos are powerful, not everyone recognises them instantly.
Printing your company name alongside the logo improves visibility and brand recall.
Keep the text:
- Easy to read
- Well spaced
- Consistent throughout the design
Repeating your company name every few centimetres ensures it remains visible regardless of how the lanyard hangs.
Add Your Website
Including your website helps direct people to your online presence.
This is particularly useful during:
- Exhibitions
- Conferences
- Networking events
- Recruitment fairs
- Product launches
A simple web address is easier to remember than handing out multiple business cards.
Consider Your Tagline
If your business has a memorable tagline, you may include it alongside your logo.
Examples include:
- Trusted Since 1995
- Innovation Through Technology
- Your Partner in Success
- Quality You Can Trust
Keep taglines short and easy to read.
Avoid lengthy marketing messages.
Use Your Corporate Colours
Consistent branding creates familiarity.
Your lanyard should match your existing corporate identity.
This includes:
- Primary brand colour
- Secondary colours
- Logo colours
- Typography
Maintaining colour consistency strengthens brand recognition across all marketing materials.
Match Pantone Colours
Professional printing companies often offer Pantone colour matching.
Using Pantone colours helps ensure your printed lanyards closely resemble:
- Business cards
- Brochures
- Uniforms
- Signage
- Company websites
Colour consistency reinforces a polished corporate image.
Keep the Design Simple
One of the biggest mistakes is overcrowding the lanyard.
Remember that a lanyard is relatively narrow.
Too much information reduces readability.
Instead, prioritise:
- Logo
- Company name
- Website
- Simple graphics
Less is often more.
Repeat the Design Evenly
A repeated pattern looks cleaner than placing one large logo in the centre.
Most professionally printed lanyards repeat the branding continuously along the entire length.
This ensures the branding remains visible regardless of how the lanyard twists or folds.
Choose Readable Fonts
Typography plays a significant role in readability.
Choose fonts that are:
- Clean
- Professional
- Easy to read
- Consistent with your branding
Avoid:
- Decorative fonts
- Thin lettering
- Extremely small text
Simple sans-serif fonts usually work best.
Print High-Resolution Artwork
Low-resolution artwork leads to blurry printing.
Always provide:
- Vector files
- AI files
- EPS files
- PDF vector artwork
If unavailable, use the highest-quality PNG possible.
Professional artwork produces sharper printing.
Should You Include QR Codes?
QR codes are becoming increasingly popular.
They can direct users to:
- Company websites
- Event registration
- Product catalogues
- Digital business cards
- Social media pages
- Contact information
However, ensure the QR code is large enough to scan easily.
Add Event Names
For conferences and exhibitions, include the event name.
Examples include:
- Annual Sales Conference
- Tech Innovation Summit
- Career Fair 2026
- Education Expo
- Leadership Forum
This creates a useful keepsake for attendees.
Include Sponsor Logos
Event organisers often print sponsor logos alongside their own branding.
This provides sponsors with:
- Brand exposure
- Event visibility
- Additional marketing value
Arrange sponsor logos neatly without overwhelming the design.
Colour Coding for Different Groups
Different colours help distinguish various attendee categories.
Examples include:
Blue
- Staff
Red
- VIP Guests
Green
- Media
Yellow
- Exhibitors
Black
- Organisers
Colour coding improves organisation and security.
Consider Double-Sided Printing
Some printing methods allow branding on both sides.
Advantages include:
- Better visibility
- Consistent appearance
- More branding opportunities
Double-sided printing ensures your logo remains visible even if the lanyard twists.
Select the Right Width
Lanyard width affects both comfort and branding.
10mm
Suitable for:
- Keys
- Simple identification
Minimal branding space.
15mm
A balanced choice for everyday use.
Suitable for:
- Offices
- Schools
- Hospitals
20mm
One of the most popular widths.
Provides:
- Better logo visibility
- Comfortable wear
- Professional appearance
25mm
Ideal for:
- Conferences
- Trade shows
- Large sponsor logos
- Promotional events
Offers maximum design space.
Choose the Right Material
Different materials produce different visual effects.
Common options include:
Polyester
- Affordable
- Durable
- Excellent print quality
Nylon
- Premium appearance
- Smooth finish
- Luxurious feel
Dye Sublimation Polyester
Perfect for:
- Full-colour logos
- Photographic images
- Complex artwork
Woven Lanyards
Logos are woven into the fabric rather than printed.
Ideal for:
- Simple logos
- Premium corporate branding
Think About Accessories
The attachment is just as important as the printed design.
Popular options include:
- Swivel hook
- Bulldog clip
- Lobster clasp
- Split ring
- Retractable badge reel
- Breakaway safety clip
- Quick-release buckle
Choose accessories based on how users will carry their identification cards.
Safety Should Not Be Overlooked
For schools, healthcare facilities, childcare centres, and manufacturing environments, safety breakaway clips are highly recommended.
These clips release automatically if the lanyard becomes caught.
This reduces the risk of injury.
Design for Comfort
Employees may wear their lanyards throughout the entire workday.
Comfort depends on:
- Fabric softness
- Weight
- Width
- Smooth stitching
Comfortable employees are more likely to wear the lanyard consistently.
Avoid Clutter
Many organisations attempt to include:
- Logo
- Website
- Address
- Phone number
- Multiple slogans
- QR code
- Social media icons
This often creates visual clutter.
Instead, prioritise the most important information.
Common Design Mistakes
Avoid these frequent mistakes:
- Low-resolution logos
- Too much text
- Poor colour contrast
- Tiny fonts
- Inconsistent branding
- Incorrect logo proportions
- Excessive graphics
- Ignoring print margins
Professional design results in better readability and a stronger brand image.
Request a Digital Proof
Before production begins, always review a digital proof.
Check:
- Logo placement
- Colours
- Spelling
- Alignment
- Text spacing
- Artwork quality
Approving a proof helps prevent costly production errors.
Think Long-Term
A well-designed lanyard may remain in use for several years.
Timeless branding generally performs better than trendy designs.
Focus on:
- Clean layouts
- Corporate colours
- High-quality materials
- Durable printing
Simple designs age more gracefully.
Eco-Friendly Design Options
Many organisations now choose environmentally friendly materials.
Popular sustainable options include:
- Recycled PET
- Organic cotton
- Bamboo fibre
- Recycled polyester
You may also minimise environmental impact by reducing unnecessary packaging.
Why Good Design Strengthens Your Brand
Every branded item contributes to how customers perceive your organisation.
Professional custom lanyards communicate:
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
- Professionalism
- Consistency
- Quality
These qualities reinforce trust with customers, clients, employees, and event attendees.
Final Thoughts
A custom lanyard is far more than a practical accessory—it is a valuable branding tool that represents your organisation wherever it is worn. By carefully considering what to print on your lanyard, you can create a design that is both functional and visually appealing. Start with the essentials, such as your company logo, business name, corporate colours, and website, then incorporate additional elements like event names, sponsor logos, or QR codes where appropriate.
Equally important are the design fundamentals: use high-resolution artwork, select readable fonts, maintain consistent branding, and avoid overcrowding the available space. Pair your design with the right material, printing method, width, and accessories to ensure comfort, durability, and practicality.
Whether you are ordering lanyards for everyday office use, educational institutions, conferences, exhibitions, or promotional campaigns, a thoughtfully designed custom lanyard will strengthen your brand, improve professionalism, and leave a lasting impression on everyone who wears it.