Personalised event lanyards are fabric neck cords designed to carry badges and passes and to display the brand’s logo during trade shows, conferences and events. They combine a practical and a communicative function: they keep the badge visible and, at the same time, circulate the brand among participants for the whole duration of the event. With 85% of consumers remembering the brand of a gadget they received, they are one of the promotional accessories with the best ratio between cost, usefulness and frequency of use.
Choosing the right lanyard, however, means considering the material, the strap width, the printing technique and the accessories, as well as the option of eco-friendly versions that are increasingly in demand. In this guide we look at how to navigate the different options, standard and eco, to arrive at your next event with an accessory consistent with your company’s image and values.
Why choose personalised event lanyards?
Because they are worn for hours, every day of the event, ensuring continuous logo exposure at a low cost. Unlike a flyer, which often ends up in the bin, the lanyard stays around the participant’s neck and becomes a small travelling advertising vehicle that moves among the stands, conference rooms and networking areas.
There is also an organisational value: lanyards make staff, speakers and visitors immediately recognisable, ease access control and convey a coordinated, professional image. The full range is available in the full Be-Bloomer gadget catalogue, where lanyards are a key part of the accessories used at trade shows and events.
Which materials should you choose for personalised lanyards?
The material determines the lanyard’s look, comfort and sustainability. The most common standard materials are polyester, the most versatile, satin, more elegant, and nylon, sturdy and smooth. Polyester absorbs print colours well and is water-resistant, features that make it the go-to choice for most events.
Alongside traditional materials, demand is growing for low-impact alternatives: rPET obtained from recycled bottles, organic cotton, biodegradable cork and corn starch. A very popular standard example is the WIDE LANY, a 25 mm-wide lanyard with a metal hook, detachable buckle and safety closure, customisable with sublimation print. The strap width affects the surface available for the logo: wider models offer more visibility, thinner ones a more discreet, formal look. The whole offer is in the lanyards and events category.
A further advantage of personalised event lanyards is their versatility after the event: many participants keep using them at the office or as a keyring, extending logo exposure well beyond the day of the event. This long-lasting effect is what makes the lanyard a particularly efficient promotional investment relative to its unit cost.
Screen printing or sublimation: which printing technique for lanyards?
The choice depends on the complexity of the logo. Screen printing is ideal for single-colour logos or those with a few solid colours, with a clean result and a contained cost on large quantities. Sublimation, on the other hand, allows full-surface printing with multicolour graphics, gradients and photos: the colour is absorbed into the fabric, so it does not flake and stays soft to the touch.
In practice, for a simple logo repeated along the strap, screen printing is the most economical choice; for an elaborate or full-colour design, sublimation guarantees maximum visual impact. A practical tip: repeating the logo along the whole lanyard, rather than printing it just once, maximises its visibility when worn. Personalisation is possible on one or both sides, depending on the product and budget.
It is also worth remembering that lanyards are highly reusable across multiple events: a neutral yet well-branded design can be produced in larger quantities to lower the unit cost and used at several fairs throughout the year. This makes them not only an accessory for a single occasion, but a lasting asset within the company’s promotional toolkit, ready whenever a new event comes up.
Eco-friendly lanyards: the sustainable solutions for your events
Eco-friendly lanyards are the answer to a fast-growing demand: 92% of companies say they want to adopt more sustainable practices in their event participation. Opting for a cord in recycled or natural material communicates environmental responsibility immediately, without words, and improves how the brand is perceived by participants.
In Be-Bloomer’s eco lanyard range you will find certified, low-impact solutions. The Organic Cotton Lanyard 1.5cm can be customised with flat screen printing on one or two sides and is available in several widths, with printing up to four colours. For an even more distinctive material, the Cork Lanyard 1.5cm is made from biodegradable cork, with a natural, standout look. Choosing these products means aligning the event’s communication with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, an increasingly appreciated signal. To explore the full green offer, visit the dedicated eco line.
Accessories and closures: badge holders, carabiners and safety releases
Accessories turn a simple strap into a complete tool. The metal carabiner is the standard for attaching the badge; the detachable buckle allows the badge holder to be removed quickly; the safety release, or breakaway, opens under tension and is recommended for participants’ safety.
For badges with RFID cards or sensitive information, safety closures are recommended, as they reduce the risk of loss. A versatile example is the ZIP LANYARD, a polyester lanyard with a retractable badge holder and safety release, customisable with sublimation: it combines practicality and safety in a single accessory. The choice of the right accessories, beyond functionality, also affects the perceived quality of the final product.
How to choose personalised event lanyards based on the occasion?
The choice starts from the type of event and the audience. For conferences and B2B fairs, polyester and satin in sober colours work well, with safety closures for the passes. For consumer events, concerts or festivals, full-colour sublimation and attention-grabbing materials have more impact. For green initiatives and environmentally conscious companies, eco-friendly lanyards reinforce the message consistently.
Quantity matters too: for large supplies and mass distribution, economical screen-printed models are convenient, while for speakers, VIP guests or staff you can opt for more refined materials and finishes. Defining the occasion, audience and quantity in advance is the best way to optimise the budget without sacrificing quality.
In short, there is no absolute best lanyard, but rather the one most suited to the context: the ideal combination of material, width, print and accessories changes depending on the event. Thinking in these terms lets you treat personalised event lanyards not as a mere obligatory purchase, but as a communication choice aligned with the company image.
Why personalised event lanyards are worth it for your SME
For an SME, personalised event lanyards are a marketing investment with a concrete return: they cost little, generate continuous exposure and build a professional, coordinated image. Unlike a digital campaign that runs out quickly, a well-made lanyard keeps communicating for the whole duration of the event and often beyond.
The competitive advantage comes from consistency between product and identity: a cord chosen with care, perhaps in an eco version, sets the company apart and conveys attention to detail. In a context where showing up well at events makes the difference, lanyards are one of the simplest and most effective tools for leaving a positive, lasting impression.
Frequently asked questions about personalised event lanyards
Which materials can I choose for personalised lanyards?
The most common standard materials are polyester, satin and nylon. Eco-friendly alternatives include rPET from recycled plastic, organic cotton, biodegradable cork and corn starch. The choice depends on aesthetics, comfort, budget and how green the brand’s positioning is.
Is screen printing or sublimation better?
It depends on the logo. Screen printing is ideal for logos with a few solid colours and is economical on large quantities. Sublimation allows full-colour, full-surface prints with gradients and keeps the fabric soft, making it the best choice for elaborate graphics.
Which accessories can I pair with a personalised lanyard?
The most common are metal carabiners, detachable buckles, breakaway safety releases, detachable clips and retractable or pull-out badge holders. For RFID cards, safety closures are recommended. The choice of accessories increases functionality and perceived quality.
Are there eco-friendly lanyards for events?
Yes. There are lanyards in recycled or natural materials such as rPET, organic cotton, cork and corn starch, customisable like standard ones. Be-Bloomer dedicates an eco lanyard line to these solutions, ideal for companies and events that want to communicate environmental responsibility.
How far in advance should I order lanyards for an event?
It is advisable to order several weeks in advance, so you can calmly manage personalisation, artwork approval and delivery. For large quantities or special processing, such as full-colour sublimation or eco finishes, it is better to allow an even greater margin.
Prepare your next event with the right lanyards
Personalised event lanyards are a simple but strategic accessory: they combine practicality, visibility and, if chosen in an eco version, a message of environmental responsibility. From material choice to printing technique and accessories, every detail contributes to a professional result consistent with your brand. Request a free quote for your personalised lanyards and arrive at your next event with an image that is polished in every detail.
