Top Tips For Designing Custom Business Lanyards

Lanyards are incredibly versatile and useful tools for a wide range of various businesses. Not only do they provide practical solutions for carrying things like identity cards, USB drives and access control fobs, but they can also provide some excellent opportunities for brand awareness and visibility.

Whilst there might only be a small surface area on offer, there is still a lot that you can do with it, so in this article, We Print Lanyards have put together our top tips to help you design the perfect custom business lanyard.

1. Get your dimensions right

Before you let your creative juices flow, you need to be sure exactly how much space you have available. That means understanding both the length and width of the strap on your lanyard and whether the design can be printed on one side or both. Once you understand the dimensions, it will be much easier to create a design to fit. Working with these measurements from the start will be much easier and more efficient than trying to resize an existing design.

2. Think about your fonts

Your lanyard design will probably include a company name, tagline or website in some way, so you need to think about the font you will be using. If there is something that is synonymous with your business branding, then it is advisable to stick with this, however, you need to make sure that it will translate well to the narrow space available on a lanyard strap. Ideally the font should be clean and easy to read, and the size and spacing are used to enhance clarity, otherwise, your branding opportunity might be missed.

3. Choosing your colours

The colours of a lanyard can be very important. Obviously, you will need to keep them on brand, but it is also worthwhile applying a little colour psychology to your choices. For example, red might command attention, but could also be associated with anger, whilst light blue gives a sense of calm and creativity, and dark blue could be associated with a lack of emotion. The colour you choose will communicate something to the people who see it, so it's important to take this into consideration.

You may also want a range of different colours to help identify different departments or different levels of seniority within the business. This can help with communication both within the business and with customers, as it's easy to see at a glance who you are dealing with.

4. What is your purpose?

When designing your lanyard, it is important to think about who will be using it and what the purpose of it is. The lanyards that are designed for students, top level business executives or visitors to an event will all have a very different look and feel, so you need to make this a factor of your design choices. If you plan to use the lanyards as a promotional tool, then the messaging that you opt for might be different to the lanyards that are issued to healthcare professionals.

5. Add a logo

Your logo is an important part of your brand, so you should make sure it features somewhere on your lanyards. It needs to be clear, legible and well positioned in order to maximise the brand awareness that you create. It is likely that you have spent a lot of time and money developing your logo, so it should be at the centre of any business materials that you produce. A central position will ensure your logo is the focal point, and this is particularly effective on shorter lanyards where the logo is more likely to be visible. Alternatively, it could be used as a repeating pattern along the length of the lanyard, or placed at the end closer to the tip to ensure it is visible when the lanyard is in use.

6. Be materialistic

Lanyards can be made from a number of different materials, so you need to make sure you choose the right one. They can be made from materials such as polyester, nylon or even bamboo. The lanyard needs to be comfortable to wear and should also be reflective of your brand's value and aesthetics. You also need to consider durability and sustainability as well as how well your colours and logos will transfer onto different materials.

7. Attachment options

Lanyards serve a range of different purposes, so you should pay close attention to the different attachments that are available. Traditionally they have been used to hold identity cards, but this is not their only purpose. Depending on how you intend the lanyards to be used, you could opt for attachments that will hold keys, cards, USB drives, pens, or even hand sanitiser if it is necessary. It is also important to think about opting for a lanyard which has a breakaway buckle to prevent any accidents.

8. Stay consistent

When designing your lanyards, you likely have a consistent brand presence in place across your website, social media and all other forms of branding. It is important that this is replicated throughout your lanyards to ensure that you have a cohesive look throughout the business. You should ensure that your lanyards coordinate with all other branded materials, such as your business cards and brochures to reinforce a unified image.

9. Printing techniques

Choosing the right printing technique and finish will also have an effect on the design of your lanyard. Screen printing is ideal for simple designs with limited colours that need a vibrant finish whilst dye sublimation is better for complex multi-coloured designs that allow for more intricate details and gradients.

10. Choose quality

Your lanyards are an investment in your business, so make sure you choose high quality options to ensure that they are wearable, aesthetically pleasing, and durable.

A lanyard can be a big part of your business branding, so it's important to put some careful thought into your design. Your lanyard manufacturer can offer advice on producing the best custom printed lanyards to ensure you get the practicality and style that you are looking for.