How to order custom lanyards: widths, clips, card holders and lead times
Lanyards look simple, but a few small choices decide whether they look sharp and work well for months, or twist, snap and lose cards. Here is what to decide before you order, from the width and print to the clip, the card holder and the date you need them.
1. Fully custom or ready-made?
Fully custom lanyards are made to order: your design printed in full colour along the whole length, in your brand colours. They start from 50 pieces and take 2 to 3 weeks from mockup approval.
Ready-made lanyards come in stock colours and are printed with your logo. They take about 8 days, or 4 days on express, so they are the answer when an event is close.
If you have the time, custom lanyards almost always look better: the colour matches your brand exactly and your logo can repeat along the whole lanyard.
2. Choose the width
- 20 mm: our standard width and the most popular for staff and events, with room for a logo that reads well.
- 25 mm: bolder and more visible, good for sponsors and large logos.
Need a different width? Other sizes are available on request.
3. Decide on the print
Full-colour printing lets you use any design: logos, gradients, patterns and small text. Repeat the logo along the length so it is visible however the lanyard sits, and print on both sides so it never shows a blank back. Keep text big enough to read from a metre away.
4. Pick the right clip
- Metal lobster clip or hook: the standard choice for most lanyards.
- Detachable buckle: people can unclip the card to tap it or hand it over without taking the lanyard off.
- Safety breakaway: opens at the back of the neck if the lanyard is pulled. Recommended for schools, hospitals, warehouses and security teams.
5. Choose a card holder
Clear soft holders are the low-cost choice for event passes and printed name badges, in many sizes. Rigid plastic holders protect ID and access cards and come in 12 colours, so you can colour-code departments, visitors and contractors. Sliding holders have a coloured frame and a clear window for a tidy office look, in 13 colours. For access cards that are tapped all day, a retractable badge reel is handy.
6. Get the holder size right
Measure your card or badge and choose a holder whose inside size is a little bigger. A standard ID card is 86 × 54 mm. It fits a rigid or sliding holder, or a clear holder of about 100 × 85 mm (landscape) or 68 × 115 mm (portrait). Larger event badges need larger holders, such as 98 × 150 mm. See the full list of holder sizes.
7. Plan the timing
- Custom lanyards: 2 to 3 weeks from mockup approval, plus delivery.
- Ready-made lanyards: about 8 days, or 4 days on express.
Work backwards from the day you need them. For ICE Barcelona in January, approve custom lanyards by early December, before the holiday slowdown. For SiGMA Europe in May, aim for early April.
How many to order
Count the people who need one, then add 10 to 15% for new joiners, visitors and lost cards. Ordering spares in the same run is much cheaper than a small reorder later.
Quick checklist
- Quantity, plus spares
- Width and print (one or both sides)
- Clip type, and whether you need a safety breakaway
- Card holder type and the size of your cards
- Logo file (vector if possible) and colour codes
- The date you need them and the delivery address
