What Are Promotional Lanyards?

Yellow Lanyard

Last updated: 22 July 2025

Whether at conferences, trade shows, corporate offices, or security-controlled facilities, lanyards are one of the most widely used accessories for identification and branding. These custom-printed fabric straps, typically worn around the neck, hold ID badges, security passes, or keys, ensuring easy access while keeping branding front and centre.

Unlike disposable promo items, lanyards are used repeatedly, making them a cost-effective way to reinforce brand identity in professional settings. With options ranging from simple flat polyester styles to premium woven and eco-friendly bamboo lanyards, businesses can tailor their design to suit their brand and industry.

For companies looking to increase brand visibility at events or workplaces, custom lanyards are a must-have promotional item that blends practicality with continuous exposure.

What Can You Use Promotional Lanyards For?

A custom lanyard is a fabric strap designed to hold ID cards, keys, or access passes, featuring a branded print or logo. They are a staple in corporate environments, security sectors, hospitality, and events, ensuring professionalism and brand consistency.

The Evolution of Lanyards in Business & Events

Lanyards may seem like a modern corporate accessory, but their origins trace back centuries to military and maritime traditions.

How Lanyards Became a Branding & Security Staple:

17th Century – The word “lanyard” originates from the French term “lanière”, referring to cords worn around the neck or shoulders by soldiers and sailors to carry weapons and tools.
19th Century – Lanyards became a symbol of rank and affiliation in military uniforms, with different colours and weaves representing divisions.
20th Century – As ID systems became standard in corporate offices and security sectors, lanyards were adapted for badges and access passes.
1990s-Present – With the rise of large-scale conferences, concerts, and trade shows, lanyards became a branding tool, allowing businesses to print logos, slogans, and event themes on durable fabric straps.

Colorful Lanyards

Today, lanyards are not just about security—they’re about visibility, convenience, and corporate identity, making them a staple in professional branding.

How Promotional Lanyards Boost Brand Awareness

A branded lanyard is seen every time someone wears it, making it one of the most effective long-term promotional products. Unlike flyers or brochures, which are often discarded, lanyards remain part of daily office life, conferences, and industry events.

Why Custom Lanyards Work for Marketing:

Positioned at eye level, ensuring brand logos are always visible.
Used daily in offices, security settings, and large-scale events.
Encourages uniformity and brand professionalism in workplaces.

Supporting Data:

74% of event attendees keep promotional products they find useful, making lanyards a high-retention branding item (Source: ASI).
Companies using branded lanyards at corporate events see an increase in brand recall by 50% compared to non-branded identification methods (Source: PPAI).

For organisations looking to increase professional visibility, lanyards are an efficient and high-impact choice.

Popular Types of Promotional Lanyards

Lanyards are not one-size-fits-all—they come in various materials, attachments, and printing options to match different needs.

Best-Selling Custom Lanyard Styles:

Polyester Lanyards – A budget-friendly, durable option for bulk orders.
Woven Lanyards – Offers a premium look with stitched-in branding.
Eco-Friendly Bamboo or RPET Lanyards – Ideal for sustainable branding.
Breakaway Safety Lanyards – Essential for workplaces requiring quick-release features.
Full-Colour Sublimated Lanyards – Allows for vivid, detailed custom designs.

How To Brand Promotional Lanyards

Lanyards may seem simple, but attention to branding details makes a significant impact. At Cubic Promote, we offer the following customisation options for these items:

Screen Printing – A cost-effective method that applies ink directly onto the lanyard’s surface, ideal for bold logos and simple designs with solid colours.
Sublimation Printing – Uses heat to infuse full-colour designs into the fabric, allowing for intricate patterns, gradients, and photo-quality graphics.
Woven Stitching – Threads are woven directly into the fabric, creating a durable and textured design best suited for simple logos and text.
Embossing – Raised or recessed designs are pressed into the lanyard material, adding a subtle, premium look with enh

black lanyard with white express print and design

anced texture.

Why Businesses Invest in Custom Lanyards

Lanyards are one of the most effective promotional items due to their high visibility, practicality, and affordability.

Ensures brand consistency in corporate and event settings.
Cost-effective for bulk orders, making them perfect for conferences.
Widely retained and reused, increasing brand exposure.
Customisable with eco-friendly and high-end options.

When to Use Promotional Lanyards

Lanyards are essential in any environment requiring identification, security access, or corporate branding.

Best Use Cases for Custom Lanyards:

Conferences & Trade Shows – A staple for event entry and networking.
Corporate Offices & Security Facilities – Keeps ID badges accessible.
Education & University Events – Used for student and staff identification.
Hospitality & Tourism – Ensures security for staff and guests.
Charity & Fundraising Events – Helps brand volunteers and organisers.

Looking for custom-printed lanyards for your next event or workplace? Browse our full range of promotional lanyards to find the perfect fit for your business needs.

Why Lanyards Are a Must-Have Branding Tool

Unlike one-time promotional giveaways, lanyards are essential, reusable, and offer non-stop brand exposure. Whether worn in offices, security-restricted areas, or large-scale industry events, they ensure businesses remain visible in professional settings. With customisation options ranging from eco-friendly materials to premium woven designs, businesses can elevate their brand presence while offering a practical accessory.

About the Author

Person with short dark hair, earrings, and custom bags, smiling before a solid red background.

Ariadna Dagaraga

Product & Marketing Expert

Ariadna Dagaraga is a Product & Marketing Expert at Cubic Promote, with over 1 year of experience in managing branded merchandise orders. With a strong background in project management, he brings meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of aligning promotional products with business branding and marketing strategies. Ariadna ensures every order meets the highest standards of quality and brand consistency, optimising the impact of promotional campaigns. He contributes to industry articles, offering actionable insights on how businesses can enhance their promotional product strategies. His hands-on experience and industry knowledge have established him as a trusted voice in the promotional products sector.