A lanyard is defined by three choices: the strap material, the branding method and the attachment at the end. A fourth meaning exists in work safety, where “lanyard” refers to fall-arrest equipment governed by Australian standards. This guide covers both, with most of the detail on the promotional neck strap used for ID, events and staff access.
TL;DR
- Strap types: flat polyester, tubular, woven, dye-sublimated and eco materials. Each suits a different artwork and budget.
- Branding methods: screen print for simple logos, dye-sublimation for full colour, woven for long-term identity use.
- Clips: lobster claw, bulldog, swivel hook, J-hook, plus a breakaway release on the neck strap for safety.
- Fall-arrest lanyards are a different product. They are covered by AS/NZS 1891 and are not promotional items.
- Order checklist: purpose, strap width, print method, clip, safety release, quantity, deadline.
Table of Contents
- What a lanyard is, and which kind this guide covers
- Lanyard strap types
- Strap width: 12 mm, 20 mm or 24 mm
- Branding methods compared
- Lanyard clip types explained
- Breakaway and safety release
- Fall-arrest lanyards: a different product
- Perspective: how we approach lanyard orders
- How to choose: a short checklist
- Order lanyards through Simply Merchandise
- FAQ
- Sources
What a lanyard is, and which kind this guide covers
Two product families share the name.
- Neck and wrist lanyards: a strap that carries ID cards, access passes, keys, USB drives or phones. These are sold as promotional products and uniform accessories.
- Safety lanyards: a connecting line between a harness and an anchor point in height work. These are engineered equipment, not merchandise.
The top search results for this topic are mostly the second group: single leg versus twin leg, shock absorbers, fall arrest blocks. A short section on that group appears further down so the two are not confused. The rest of the article deals with the neck strap.
Lanyard strap types
The strap decides how the lanyard feels, how it prints and how long it lasts.
Flat polyester (printed)
The most common promotional strap. A flat band of polyester carries a printed logo repeated along the length. It suits events, conferences, trade shows and general staff use.
- Smooth, light finish
- Good for one or two colour logos and repeat text
- Widely available in a range of widths and colours
- Usually the most cost-effective option for larger quantities
Tubular
The fabric is formed into a rounded tube. It sits more softly against the neck and has no sharp edges.
- Comfortable for long wear
- Suits simple branding
- Common for keys, whistles and light accessories
Woven
The logo or text is woven into the strap with coloured threads rather than printed on top. The result is textured and does not rub off.
- Best for a business name, web address or bold shape in one or two colours
- Long-lasting under daily handling
- Less suited to fine detail, small lettering or gradients
Dye-sublimated (full colour)
The design is transferred into the fabric with heat. Photographic artwork, gradients and multi-colour logos reproduce well, and the print is part of the strap rather than a layer sitting on it.
- Full colour without extra colour charges per shade
- Suits campaign graphics, sponsor panels and detailed brand marks
- Edge-to-edge coverage is possible
Eco materials
Recycled PET and bamboo straps are available across the industry for organisations with a sustainability policy. Check the product page for the exact material before ordering, as “eco” labels vary between suppliers.
3D logo lanyards
A raised, moulded logo on the strap gives a tactile finish. Simply Merchandise lists a 3D logo lanyard for brands wanting a feature that stands out from flat print.
Strap width: 12 mm, 20 mm or 24 mm
Width sets the space available for the logo and the feel at the neck.
| Width | Typical use | Branding space |
|---|---|---|
| 12 mm | Keys, USB drives, whistles, light ID | Short logos, single word |
| 20 mm | Standard staff and event ID | Logo plus short line of text |
| 24 mm | Conferences, premium events, heavier badges | Larger logo, longer text |
Product pages for each size are listed on the site: 12 mm, 20 mm and 24 mm. The full range sits in the custom printed lanyards collection.
Branding methods compared
The same strap can carry a message in different ways. The method should follow the artwork, not the other way round.
| Method | Best for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Screen print | Simple logos, one to three solid colours | Gradients and photos do not suit it |
| Dye-sublimation | Full colour, detailed artwork, all-over designs | Works best on white or light polyester |
| Woven | Long-term identity, simple marks | Fine detail is lost |
| Embroidered | Premium look on fabric straps | Small text can fill in |
How a strap carries a logo also shapes how the brand is read at a distance. A short, bold wordmark repeated along the strap is legible from across a room. A detailed illustration is not. For ideas on how print choices play out in real settings, this practical guide to branded print examples in community centres shows how logos and campaign messaging are laid out across different formats.
Lanyard clip types explained
The attachment is the part people ask about most, and the part most often chosen last. It decides what the lanyard can hold and how quickly it can be used.
Lobster claw (lobster clasp)
A metal hook with a spring-loaded gate. It clips onto a ring or loop and stays closed under weight.
- Secure for heavier items such as keys and badge reels
- Often paired with a swivel so the card does not twist
- The usual choice for staff and security passes
Swivel hook (J-hook or snap hook)
A rotating metal hook that attaches to a card holder or a key ring.
- Rotates, so the badge faces forward
- Fast to attach and remove
- Gate styles vary, so check how easily it opens
Bulldog clip
A flat spring clip with a toothed grip, like a small crocodile clip.
- Grips the edge of a card or a paper pass
- Good where cards have no punched hole
- Can mark soft card stock
Split ring
A small steel ring for keys. Common on short lanyards and wrist straps.
Plastic and breakaway clips
Plastic hooks and buckles are lighter and cost less. They can also be designed to release under force (see below).
Quick reference
| Clip | Holds | Main strength |
|---|---|---|
| Lobster claw | Keys, heavy badges | Secure closure |
| Swivel hook | ID card holders | Badge stays facing front |
| Bulldog | Loose cards, passes | No hole needed |
| Split ring | Keys | Simple and durable |
| Plastic hook | Light cards | Low weight, low cost |
Breakaway and safety release
A breakaway lanyard has a point in the strap that separates when pulled hard. The aim is to stop the strap acting as a noose if it catches on machinery, a door or a person grabbing it.
A release is worth specifying where staff move around moving parts, work with children or patients, or may face physical confrontation. Typical settings are schools, healthcare, hospitality, warehouses and security work. Some industry guides suggest including the release as standard in education, healthcare and manufacturing environments, and the logic holds for any role with a snag risk.
The risk is real in Australian workplace records. A WorkSafe Queensland alert on a high ropes course describes a participant strangled in a non-fatal incident when two lanyards (cow’s tails) became taut on either side of the neck. That case involved climbing equipment, not a promotional strap, but it shows why anything worn around the neck needs a plan for release.
For children’s products the rules are stricter. The ACCC’s guidance for pull toys says to check that toys do not have long or thin cords or strings. Lanyards for children should always use a breakaway release, and a lanyard should not be given to a young child to play with.
Fall-arrest lanyards: a different product
The search results for this topic are filled with height-safety content, so a short explanation helps.
In Australia, industrial fall-arrest equipment falls under the AS/NZS 1891 series. AS 1891.5:2020 covers the materials, design, manufacture, testing and labelling of lanyard assemblies and pole straps. Standards Australia also publishes a spotlight on industrial fall-arrest systems and devices for a broader overview.
The common types in that field:
- Restraint lanyard: stops a worker reaching an edge at all. The Safe Work Australia model code of practice describes this as a harness connected by a lanyard to an anchor point.
- Single leg and twin leg lanyards: a single leg keeps a worker connected to one anchor. A twin leg allows one leg to stay attached while the other is moved.
- Shock-absorbing lanyards: include an energy absorber to reduce the force of a fall.
The same code treats fall-arrest as a last resort: it limits the consequences of a fall but does not prevent one, and it requires training and rescue planning. These items must be selected, inspected and used by competent people. A promotional or ID lanyard must never be used for any purpose connected with height work. Questions about which equipment suits a particular job go to a qualified height-safety professional and the relevant state WHS regulator.
Perspective: how we approach lanyard orders
Simply Merchandise has supplied promotional products for over 30 years, and lanyards follow the same pattern as every other category: most problems come from decisions made late.
Three observations from that experience:
- Artwork should choose the print method. A logo with a gradient on a woven strap disappoints. The same logo dye-sublimated looks as intended. Matching the two first avoids rework.
- The clip is part of the design. A heavy lobster claw on a 12 mm strap looks wrong and feels worse. Width, clip and badge weight should be chosen together.
- Safety release is a role decision, not a style one. Roles around machinery, children or the public should get breakaway lanyards. It is simpler to apply this to the whole team than to decide person by person.
Free setup applies to branded items, and express delivery is available for urgent orders such as a conference with a fixed date. Even so, the best results come from confirming artwork, clip and quantity early.
— Aeros
How to choose: a short checklist
- Purpose. ID only, access control, keys, event delegates, or a giveaway.
- Wearer. Office staff, field staff, children, visitors. This decides the safety release.
- Artwork. One colour logo, several colours, or full colour image.
- Strap and width. Match artwork detail to the width and material.
- Clip. Match to what hangs on it: card holder, key, badge reel.
- Quantity and timing. Events with fixed dates need delivery planned from the date back.
- Spares. Order a small extra quantity for late additions and replacements.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a clip after the strap was approved and finding it does not fit the card holder
- Using fine text on a narrow strap
- Leaving out the breakaway release for staff who work near moving parts
- Approving artwork on screen without checking colour match
- Ordering for an event with no allowance for delivery time
Order lanyards through Simply Merchandise
Branded lanyards are available in a range of widths and styles, with free setup on branded items and express delivery for urgent orders. Options and sizes are on the custom lanyards collection, and event-focused styles with card holders are in the conference lanyards range. For background reading on how to plan an order, see the guide to custom lanyards and the article on lanyards printed in Australia. Other branded products, from drinkware to tech, are listed on the Simply Merchandise home page.
FAQ
What is a lanyard used for?
A lanyard carries items such as ID cards, access passes, keys, USB drives and phones, usually around the neck or wrist. Businesses also use them as branded giveaways and event identification. In height work, the word refers to a separate type of safety equipment.
What are those lanyard clips called?
The most common are the lobster claw, the swivel hook (or J-hook), the bulldog clip and the split ring. A lobster claw suits heavier items, a swivel hook keeps a card facing forward, and a bulldog clip grips a card without a hole.
What is the difference between a standard and a breakaway lanyard?
A standard lanyard stays fixed under force. A breakaway lanyard has a release that separates when pulled hard, reducing the risk of strangulation or injury if the strap snags. It suits schools, healthcare, hospitality and workplaces with moving equipment.
What is a lanyard in fall protection?
It is a connecting line between a worker’s harness and an anchor point. In Australia these assemblies are covered by the AS/NZS 1891 series, including AS 1891.5:2020 for lanyard assemblies. They are safety equipment, unrelated to promotional neck straps.
Sources
- Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces, Safe Work Australia
- AS 1891.5:2020, Standards Australia Store
- WHS Standards Spotlight: Industrial Fall-Arrest Systems and Devices, Standards Australia
- High ropes adventure courses, WorkSafe Queensland
- Toys that children push and pull guide, ACCC Product Safety
