Why Printed Lanyards Are a Must-Have for Brand Visibility at Events

In the world of corporate branding, event marketing, and promotional merchandise, printed lanyards are often underestimated. These simple yet functional accessories do far more than just hold ID cards or passes. When strategically designed and deployed, printed lanyards become powerful tools for brand visibility, customer engagement, and long-term recall. Whether you’re attending a global gaming expo, a regional trade show, or a niche industry convention, custom printed lanyards are essential for creating lasting brand impressions.

This article dives deep into why custom printed lanyards are such an effective branding solution, how to use them effectively at events, and the key features to consider for maximum impact. Optimized for search engines, this guide is tailored for marketers, event organizers, and business owners looking to elevate their branding strategy.


What Are Printed Lanyards?

Printed lanyards are neck straps commonly used to carry ID badges, security passes, USB drives, and keys. What distinguishes them in the promotional product world is their high customizability. They can be printed with logos, taglines, QR codes, or full-color graphics to suit your brand.

Materials vary from economical polyester and nylon to more eco-friendly options like bamboo fiber or recycled PET. Printing techniques also differ, including screen printing, dye sublimation (for vibrant full-color graphics), and woven designs.

Malta Lanyards

Why Printed Lanyards Are Ideal for Brand Visibility

1. High Visibility Placement

Lanyards are worn around the neck, which means your branding is displayed at eye level all day long. Unlike flyers or pens that might be stashed away, lanyards keep your brand in constant view.

2. Universal Utility

From event staff and volunteers to attendees and VIPs, everyone needs a lanyard at most conferences, expos, and conventions. This ensures mass adoption and widespread exposure.

3. Long-Term Use

Well-designed printed lanyards are often reused after the event—at offices, gyms, schools, or other gatherings. This turns your one-time investment into a long-term brand ambassador.

4. Cost-Effective Marketing

Compared to larger merchandise like apparel or tech gear, printed lanyards offer excellent ROI. They are affordable to produce in bulk and provide daily impressions throughout the event lifecycle.

5. Custom Branding Options

You can design lanyards that reflect your brand colors, logo, tagline, and even your social media handles. For gaming events, you might use themed graphics, character art, or esports team branding.


Benefits: How Printed Lanyards Support Digital Campaigns

Printed lanyards can be equipped with QR codes, NFC chips, or URLs that direct users to:

  • Special offers
  • Event landing pages
  • Social media channels
  • Product demos or trailers

This physical-to-digital bridge improves engagement metrics and can be tracked for analytics, giving you real-time feedback on your event’s success.


How to Use Printed Lanyards Effectively at Events

1. Color-Code by Role or Access Level

Use different colors for staff, media, speakers, VIPs, and attendees. This enhances security and makes the event more organized, while reinforcing your branding.

2. Incorporate Tech Add-Ons

Include tech features like RFID chips for cashless payments or NFC tags for digital check-ins. These enhance user experience and make your brand look innovative and professional.

3. Design for the Audience

For gaming expos, go bold with neon graphics or pixel-style fonts. For a corporate summit, a sleek minimalist design may resonate more. Align design with the tone of the event and your brand personality.

4. Bundle with Badge Holders

Custom badge holders featuring your logo or artwork can amplify the lanyard’s impact. Offering a complete badge-and-lanyard set looks polished and reinforces brand cohesion.

Polyester Lanyards

What to Consider When Ordering Printed Lanyards

  • Material: Polyester is standard, but eco-friendly alternatives are gaining traction.
  • Width: Wider lanyards offer more print space but must remain comfortable.
  • Print Method: Dye sublimation allows for vibrant, full-color artwork; screen printing is cost-effective for simple logos.
  • Attachment Options: Choose from clips, lobster claws, badge reels, and safety breakaways depending on use case.

Case Study: Customized Lanyards at Gaming Conventions

At major gaming events like Gamescom and SiGMA, printed lanyards are everywhere. Brands like Xbox, Ubisoft, and Twitch use lanyards not just for access control, but as collectibles. Fans wear them proudly, often posting photos online. Some companies create exclusive lanyards only available at specific demos or panels, increasing demand and encouraging participation.

These lanyards sometimes include NFC tags that link to in-game rewards or event-exclusive content. The result? High engagement, organic social media buzz, and priceless user-generated content. Malta Lanyards is the proud supplier of lanyards for many events such as SiGMA – and also for the thousands of exhibitors and attendees who visit the event. Speak to our team today and create your customized lanyards to stand out from the crowd.


Eco-Friendly Options: Sustainable Lanyards

With growing environmental awareness, many brands are choosing:

Promoting these choices not only boosts your green credentials but resonates with a younger, more eco-conscious audience. Including a note on the lanyard packaging or badge insert about its sustainable materials can further reinforce your message.


Final Thoughts: Printed Lanyards as Branding Powerhouses

When used strategically, printed lanyards are far more than basic accessories. They are mobile branding platforms that combine visibility, utility, and storytelling in one compact form. Whether you’re launching a new product, hosting a panel, or sponsoring a tournament, investing in customized lanyards ensures your brand stays front and centre—literally.

To maximize impact:

  • Design with your audience and event tone in mind
  • Add interactive or digital elements like QR codes
  • Consider sustainable materials to boost brand ethics

As events return to full capacity and competition for attention heats up, every inch of branding matters. And sometimes, that inch is the strap around someone’s neck.

Ready to order your own custom printed lanyards? Make sure they tell a story worth wearing.