Lanyards are usually one of the last things event planners think about, and one of the first things attendees notice. Leave them too late and you are stuck with whatever is available; plan them well and they help with registration, security and branding. Use this checklist to get your event lanyards right.
1. Start with your pass types
List everyone who needs a pass and what each group needs to access. A conference might have delegates, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, press, staff and crew. A sports event might add officials, coaches and medical teams. Each group can have its own lanyard colour or printed wording, so security and staff can check access at a glance.
2. Work out quantities, then add spares
Base numbers on registrations plus a buffer for late sign-ups, walk-ins, lost lanyards and staff changes. Printed lanyards start from 100 units, and the price per lanyard falls at 250, 500, 750, 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000+, so a few extra rarely costs much.
3. Choose the style
- Dye sublimation for full-colour event branding on both sides.
- Flat polyester for a clean logo in up to four Pantone colours.
- Tubular for large events on a tight budget.
- Reflective for outdoor crew and night-time events.
- Pre-printed Staff, Crew, VIP or Volunteer lanyards when you need role labels fast.
4. Get the details right
- Clips: metal trigger clips suit most badges; add safety breakaways for public events and anyone under 16.
- Badge holders: pick card holders sized for your printed badges.
- Badge orientation: open-ended lanyards hold landscape badges flat and facing forwards.
- Sponsors: confirm sponsor logos early, because they are often the last thing to arrive.
5. Build in time
Work back from your event date. Allow time to finalise artwork, approve the free digital proof, produce and deliver the lanyards, and then sort them by pass type before registration opens. Add a buffer for anything that changes. We confirm your exact delivery date with your quote.
6. Make them reusable
If your event runs every year, a design without the date or edition number means leftover lanyards can be used next time, which saves money and waste.
7. Plan distribution on the day
Pre-sort lanyards by pass type, keep spares at the registration desk, and brief staff on the colour system so they know who can go where.
Event lanyard timeline at a glance
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| Early planning | Define pass types and colour system |
| Once numbers are clear | Request quote, send artwork |
| Straight after | Approve free proof |
| Before build/setup | Delivery received and checked |
| Day before | Sort by pass type, brief staff |
See our event lanyards or get a free quote. We reply within 30 minutes during working hours and deliver free to any UK address.
