From ID holders to keys and even phones, lanyards have been useful in the work environment for decades. We have quickly learned that lanyards can be used for a variety of purposes and can also be specially suited for a specific environment. With that in mind, picking the right type of lanyard for your company is something you should think about thoroughly in order to get the best fit for your specific needs.

Luckily, choosing the right lanyard isn’t rocket science. All you need to know is what you’re buying, how it can be used, and how to save money by buying in bulk.

Factors to Consider When Buying Lanyards for a Business

1- The Material and Design

When it comes to lanyards, both the material and the design are equally important. Lanyards exist in different forms, so it is essential to first know exactly what you need.

Lanyards can be made out of leather, polyester, cotton, or nylon. These strips of material are usually 3/8″ to an inch wide, but you can order custom-sized ones as well. Typically, the material used to make lanyards can be of basic, regular, or premium quality, and this will affect the final price and overall durability of the product.

Lanyards also come in different designs. Some are rope-like, others are flat, others are woven, and others beaded. All these designs are suitable for different work environments.

For industrial work environments, it is recommended that the lanyards should be strong but should come with a breakaway clasp. This is to avoid neck injuries if the lanyard becomes attached to the machinery.

Similarly, breakaway clasps are a much better option for promotional purposes. Choosing the right color, design and/or materials is otherwise a matter of preference. For instance, plain lanyards stick out less in a professional work environment while beaded, woven, or rope-like lanyards can be used on special occasions such as during brand promotion campaigns.

Keep in mind that different materials and designs will cost differently, and if you’re purchasing lanyards in bulk, this will certainly impact on the final cost.

2- Type of Attachments to Be Used

Lanyards can be used for a wide range of purposes aside from their traditional role as the ID holder in the workplace. These days, any lanyard can be attached to a key ring, phone holder, pen holder, badge holder, swivel hook, bulldog clip, or even a trigger hook. The applications for it are endless, so to speak, and therefore you should think about how you intend to use your lanyards.

Compatibility is key when picking hooks for ID badge holders. Make sure you get the size right to avoid complications. Also, remember that you will spend more or less depending on the hook/clip you settle on. This, however, doesn’t mean that expensive is always best. In fact, you should choose the attachment to be used based on a criteria of usability. The easier it is to use, the more functional the lanyard will be in the organization.

If your budget allows it when printed lanyards for corporate events, you can get more than one type of attachment to see how useful they will be in your work environment.

3- Bulk Purchasing Options

When you finally settle on a type of lanyard you like, it will be time to crunch the numbers. Buying in bulk usually is the way to go if you’re in a large organization or even if you don’t intend to buy any more lanyards for a long time to come. Either way, you will save money if you buy in bulk. The question is, how much more money can you save if you buy one type of lanyard and not the other?

Ultimately, this comes down to you. As affordable as some lanyards can be in bulk, you might find more value in purchasing more durable (such as rope-like lanyard) or more classic (such as leather) lanyards for your company. However, whether you’re buying in bulk or not, this will cost you more than you originally intended to spend. So how do you strike a balance?

And final tip…..

If you’re buying a lanyard to be used purely for promotional purposes, then cheaper is certainly better if you’re looking to save money. Don’t spend too much on giveaways.

Alternatively, if your coworkers or employees need new ID badges or lanyards for holding keys, buying durable lanyards will save you a lot of money in the long run, especially if you purchase in bulk.