Printed Lanyards
Custom Lanyards, Printed in Full Colour. Fast UK Turnaround.
Design your own custom printed lanyards with full-colour print, your choice of attachment, width and finish — built to your exact specification. From personalised lanyards for a single event to branded lanyards with logo for a national rollout, we handle everything from artwork to delivery.
- UK Printed
- Fast Turnaround
- Free Artwork Set Up
- Low MOQ
Build Your Lanyard Quote
Price up your custom printed lanyards in seconds. Choose your width, clip and safety option, then set your quantity — your estimate updates as you build, and the price per lanyard drops as your order grows.
See Your Custom Lanyard Before You Order
The preview follows the width, clip and safety breakaway you picked in the quote builder above. Choose a strap colour or type in your Pantone reference, upload your logo to see it repeated along the strap, and add text in a font that suits your brand.
- Width
- 15mm
- Clip
- Trigger Clip
- Breakaway
- Yes
Know your brand Pantone? Type it here and we'll preview the nearest on-screen colour, then match it exactly on your print.
The colour of your text on the strap. We choose a contrasting colour automatically until you pick one.
A PNG with a transparent background works best. Your file stays on your device. Attach it to your quote email and our artwork team will set it up free of charge.
Sending submits your full spec and design to our team at info@cards-x.co.uk — width, clip, breakaway, quantity, your estimate, strap colour, Pantone reference, text, font and logo file name. We just need your name and email in step 06 of the builder above first. To send your logo file along with it, use the email-app link under the estimate instead.
Customise Your Lanyard
Every printed lanyard we supply is fully customisable — choose your width, print method, attachment hardware and optional add-ons to build personalised lanyards for your brand, event or team. Custom lanyards with logo printing in one colour, spot colours or full colour, made to your exact spec.
Available in 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, and 25mm widths, our lanyards suit every use case. Narrow 10mm lanyards offer a sleek, understated look for office ID and corporate use. The popular 15mm width balances print area with everyday comfort. Wide 20mm lanyards deliver maximum visual impact — ideal for trade shows, festivals, and high-visibility events. 25mm lanyards provide the largest possible branding canvas for bold logos and messaging. Standard length is 900mm (45cm drop), with custom lengths available on request.
10mm
Slim profile — lasts well for lighter ID cards and events.
15mm
Most PopularPopular choice for schools, conferences & events.
20mm
Our bestseller — great for branding with excellent print area.
25mm
Extra wide — maximum print area for bold logos and messaging.
Choose between screen printing and dye sublimation depending on your artwork. Screen printing is best for simple logos, text, and spot Pantone colours — delivering crisp, bold results at the most competitive bulk prices. Dye sublimation is the preferred choice for full-colour designs, gradients, photographic imagery, and detailed multi-colour artwork, with the dye permanently embedded into the polyester fabric for a premium, long-lasting finish.
Screen Print
Bold single or spot colours with crisp logos. Cost-effective for simple, impactful designs.
Dye Sublimation
Full colour printing with photographic detail and smooth gradients. Ideal for complex artwork.
Eco / rPET
Recycled polyester material — environmentally friendly. Available with either print method.
All our printed lanyards come with a choice of attachment hardware to suit your needs. Choose from a standard swivel clip (J-hook), lobster claw clip for secure badge holding, bulldog clip for thicker passes, or a mobile phone loop. Safety breakaway clips are included as standard on most styles — an essential feature for environments where health & safety regulations apply, such as schools, hospitals, and warehouses.
Trigger Clip
Most popular — universal attachment
Lobster Claw
Secure fastening for ID holders
Crocodile Clip
Great for clip-on name badges
Metal Ring
Simple loop — works with most ID holders
Swivel Hook
Rotates 360° — ideal for keycards
Enhance your custom lanyards with a range of practical add-ons. Card holders and badge reels can be supplied pre-attached to keep ID cards visible and accessible. Safety breakaway clips add a quick-release point for environments where trailing lanyards present a safety risk. We also offer double-ended lanyards for dual attachment points, and custom printed card holders for fully branded delegate packs. Ask our team about add-on pricing when requesting your quote.
Breakaway Safety Clip
Snaps open under pressure — required for many workplaces.
Both Sides Printed
Full branding coverage — your logo visible from every angle.
Length Adjuster
Adjustable fit for all users — slide to your preferred length.
Detachable Buckle
Remove the attachment without taking off the lanyard.
Choose your options above, then click to submit your requirements — we'll come back with a tailored price.
How It Works
Getting your custom printed lanyards from us is simple and straightforward. Here’s how our UK printing process for branded lanyards works, from first quote through to delivery.
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01
Configure
Fill in our quick quote form with your lanyard requirements — quantity, width, print method, and attachment preference. The more detail you provide, the faster we can turn around an accurate, no-obligation quote for your custom lanyards.
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02
Get a Quote
Send us your logo or artwork files in AI, EPS, PDF, or high-resolution PNG format. Our in-house artwork team will review your files and prepare a full-colour print-ready proof at no extra charge. Not ready? We can advise on the best print method and colour options for your design.
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03
Artwork
We’ll email you a digital proof of your printed lanyard design for review and sign-off. No production begins until you’ve approved the artwork — giving you complete confidence that your lanyards will look exactly as expected.
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04
Proof Approval
Once artwork is approved and your purchase order is received, production begins. Standard lead time is approximately 3–4 weeks, with your finished custom printed lanyards delivered directly to your door anywhere in the UK. Bulk and urgent orders welcome — speak to our team for availability.
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05
Delivery
Your lanyards are printed and dispatched to your door with tracked UK delivery.
All orders include free artwork setup, a digital proof, and dedicated account support from our UK-based team.
Lanyard Attachments Explained
Choosing the right clip or attachment for your custom lanyards makes sure they work perfectly for your intended use. Here’s a guide to the most popular attachment types for printed, personalised and branded lanyards.
Trigger Clip
The safety breakaway clip is a quick-release mechanism that splits apart under pressure, preventing injury in environments where a trailing lanyard could become caught in machinery or present a choking risk. Standard on most of our printed lanyards and required by health & safety regulations in schools, hospitals, warehouses, and manufacturing environments.
Lobster Clip
The lobster claw clip is a spring-loaded, secure attachment that clips easily onto D-rings, key rings, and belt loops. One of the most popular choices for ID badge lanyards and event pass holders, the lobster claw provides a reliable hold while remaining easy to unclip when needed. Available in silver and black metal finishes.
Bulldog Clip
The bulldog clip (also known as a crocodile clip) uses a spring-grip mechanism to clamp securely onto thicker passes, laminates, and multi-sheet badge booklets. Particularly popular for event programmes, festival passes, and printed materials where a punched hole isn’t suitable.
Split Ring
Retractable badge reels allow the wearer to extend their ID card to scan a reader or swipe entry point without removing the lanyard. Ideal for access-controlled offices, NHS sites, local councils, and any environment where frequent badge scanning is required. Available as a clip-on or as a standard attachment supplied with the lanyard.
Metal J-Clip
The swivel J-hook is a simple, cost-effective clip that slides through badge holes and ID card slits. Its 360° swivel action keeps your ID card facing forward and prevents the lanyard from twisting. A great all-round choice for office lanyards, conference badges, and delegate passes.
Need help choosing?
Talk to our team →Not sure which attachment is right for you? Our team is happy to advise — simply mention your intended use case when requesting your lanyard quote.
Lanyard Sizes Explained
Understanding lanyard dimensions helps you choose the right size for your print, your attachments and your audience. Here's everything you need to know about the standard UK sizes we offer for custom printed lanyards.
10mm
The 10mm lanyard is our slimmest option, offering a sleek and understated look that suits minimalist corporate branding and everyday office ID. The narrow print area works best with simple logos, text, and single-colour designs. Often chosen by professional services firms, legal teams, and businesses where a subtle, formal aesthetic is important.
15mm
The 15mm lanyard is by far our most popular width — and for good reason. It strikes the ideal balance between comfortable wearability and a generous print area. Suitable for almost any artwork style, from bold logos and brand names to multi-line text. A reliable choice for conferences, trade shows, schools, charities, and corporate events.
20mm
The 20mm lanyard provides the largest standard print canvas, making it the preferred choice for full-colour dye sublimation designs, photographic imagery, and maximum brand impact. Commonly used for festivals, large-scale events, promotional merchandise, and any setting where the lanyard itself is a key part of the brand experience.
25mm
The 25mm lanyard is the widest standard size we offer, providing the largest print canvas available. It’s ideal for elaborate full-colour dye-sublimation artwork, large logos, and multi-element designs, or for lanyards that double as a statement branding item in their own right. Popular with music festivals, VIP and backstage passes, large-scale exhibitions, and premium promotional giveaways where visual impact matters most.
Standard Lanyard Dimensions
Standard printed lanyards are produced at 900mm total length (approximately 45cm drop when worn), which suits the majority of adult wearers. Custom lengths can be requested — shorter lanyards (typically 800mm) are available for younger wearers such as school students, while longer lengths suit taller individuals or specific attachment requirements. All dimensions refer to the flat fabric strap, excluding attachment hardware.
Need a non-standard size or a child-safe short lanyard? Let us know in your quote request and we'll confirm availability and pricing.
Lanyard Print Methods & Materials — Which Is Right for Your Order?
We offer two professional printing methods for custom printed lanyards — each suited to different artwork types, quantities, and budgets. All our lanyards are printed on premium polyester or eco rPET fabric.
Screen Print
Screen printing applies solid layers of ink directly onto the surface of the polyester lanyard fabric using a pre-cut mesh screen. Each colour in your design requires a separate screen, making it most cost-efficient for designs with 1–4 spot colours. Pantone (PMS) colour matching is available for brand-critical projects. Screen printed lanyards are durable, vibrant, and the most competitively priced option for bulk orders. Best for: corporate lanyards, staff ID, school lanyards, simple logos and text.
Best for simple designs
Dye Sublimation
Dye sublimation uses heat to transfer dye directly into the polyester fibres — rather than sitting on the surface — resulting in a smooth, soft-to-touch finish that is permanently embedded in the fabric. There is no minimum colour count, making it ideal for full-colour designs, photographic imagery, gradients, and complex multi-colour artwork. The print runs edge-to-edge for a seamless, all-over appearance. Best for: festival lanyards, event passes, full-colour branded lanyards, photography and lifestyle imagery.
Best for full colour
Eco
Eco / rPET Material
Our recycled polyester (rPET) lanyards are manufactured from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, processed into premium polyester yarn and woven into lanyard fabric. rPET lanyards carry the same tensile strength, print quality, and finish as virgin polyester, but with a significantly reduced environmental footprint. Compatible with both screen printing and dye sublimation. Supplied with a recycled content certificate on request. Best for: sustainability-committed brands, eco-certified events, green procurement, B Corp-aligned organisations.
Eco FriendlyScreen Print vs Dye Sublimation — Quick Guide
If your artwork features a logo, wordmark, or simple design with 1–4 solid colours, screen printing will give you the best results at the most competitive price. If your design includes gradients, multiple colours, photographic elements, or full-bleed all-over print, dye sublimation is the right choice. Not sure? Send us your artwork when requesting a quote and our team will recommend the best print method for your design and budget.
All our printed lanyards are manufactured on high-quality 10mm, 15mm, or 20mm polyester or rPET fabric, available in a full range of widths to suit your artwork. Whether you need 100 custom lanyards for a company away day or 10,000 printed lanyards for a national trade show, our UK-based team handles bulk lanyard printing at every scale. Standard printed lanyards come with a choice of safety breakaway clip, lobster claw clip, or swivel clip — all fully customisable to your specification. Every order leaves us as a finished set of branded lanyards with logo printing applied to your approved artwork, with free artwork setup and proofing included as standard.
Need Help Choosing the Right Lanyard?
Our lanyard specialists are here to help you pick the perfect style, attachment, and print method for your event or organisation. Get honest, expert advice with no pressure.
Who Orders Printed Lanyards?
Custom printed lanyards are used by thousands of organisations across the UK — from one-person start-ups ordering their first branded lanyards to national brands buying personalised lanyards with logo by the thousand. Here’s a snapshot of the sectors we serve most frequently.
Trade Shows & Exhibitions
Trade show lanyards serve double duty: they identify exhibitors and staff while keeping passes and access cards secure throughout busy event days. High-volume dye sublimation lanyards with full-colour logos are the popular choice for expo organisers.
Business & Corporate Events
Corporate lanyards project professionalism and reinforce brand identity for staff, visitors, and conference delegates. Custom screen-printed lanyards in brand Pantone colours with matching card holders are a staple of any well-presented corporate environment.
Schools, Universities & Colleges
Educational institutions rely on printed lanyards for staff ID, student passes, and safeguarding compliance. Short-length lanyards with safety breakaway clips are a standard requirement — ensuring the wellbeing of pupils while keeping staff identifiable at a glance.
Festivals, Events & Concerts
From boutique festivals to national touring concerts, printed lanyards are essential for crew management, backstage access, and VIP identification. Full-colour dye sublimation lanyards with all-over print are the go-to for high-profile live events.
Sport, Leisure & Gyms
Sports clubs, leisure centres, and gyms use custom lanyards for membership ID, staff identification, coaching credentials, and event accreditation. Durable polyester lanyards with moisture-resistant printing stand up to active daily use.
Charity & Non-Profit
Charities and non-profit organisations use branded lanyards for fundraising events, volunteer identification, and awareness campaigns. Eco rPET recycled lanyards are a popular choice, aligning with the environmental values of many third-sector organisations.
NHS & Healthcare
NHS trusts, private hospitals, GP practices, and care providers require printed staff ID lanyards with safety breakaway clips as standard. We regularly supply healthcare lanyards in bulk, with quick turnaround for urgent requirements.
...and many more — NHS & healthcare, charity fundraisers, government & public sector, hospitality, retail, security, housing associations and beyond. If you have a team, brand, or event, we have a lanyard for you.
Printed lanyards remain one of the most cost-effective branded merchandise items available — combining practical ID card-carrying functionality with high-visibility brand promotion. Whether you're sourcing custom lanyards for staff ID, delegate passes, security access, or promotional giveaways, our UK lanyard printing service covers every use case at competitive bulk prices.
Whatever your sector, our UK lanyard printing team has the experience, capacity, and turnaround time to meet your requirements. From 50 lanyards for a local event to 10,000+ for a national rollout — we’ve got you covered. Request a free no-obligation quote today.
Ready to order? Get your custom lanyard quote today — fast turnaround, free artwork included.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ordering printed lanyards, custom lanyards and personalised lanyards with logo from Cards-X.
Can you print on both sides of a lanyard?
Yes — double-sided printing is available across all our print methods. This doubles your branding real estate and is popular for lanyards that display different information on each side, such as a logo on one side and contact details on the other. Just select this option when requesting your quote.
How many colours can I use in my design?
For screen printed lanyards, we offer 1–4 spot colours. Dye sublimation allows for unlimited full-colour printing including gradients and photographic imagery. If you need Pantone colour matching, mention this in your enquiry.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Our minimum order is typically 100 lanyards, though this can vary depending on the print method and specification. Get in touch with your requirements and we'll confirm the minimum for your chosen options.
Do you offer breakaway safety clips?
Yes — breakaway safety clips are available as a standard add-on. These snap apart under pressure, which is a legal requirement in many school, healthcare and industrial environments. We recommend them for any setting where safety is a priority.
How do I submit my artwork?
Once you've placed your order, our team will contact you for your artwork. We accept most file formats including AI, EPS, PDF, PNG and JPEG. Don't worry if your files aren't print-ready — our in-house design team will prepare your artwork for production and send you a digital proof to approve before printing begins.
What are your delivery options?
We offer a range of turnaround times to suit your deadline. Standard production takes around 10–15 working days from artwork approval, with express options available. Our team will advise on the best delivery option for your requirements when you request your quote.
Can I have my brand colours exactly matched?
Yes — we offer Pantone colour matching for screen printed lanyards, ensuring your brand colours are reproduced accurately. For dye sublimation, we work to CMYK values and can match from a brand guideline or reference sample.
Are eco-friendly lanyards available?
Absolutely. Our rPET (recycled polyester) lanyards are made from 100% recycled materials and are available with both screen print and dye sublimation. They're a popular choice for organisations with sustainability goals or green procurement policies.
What is the lead time for printed lanyards?
Our standard lead time is approximately 3–4 weeks from receipt of your purchase order and signed artwork approval. We recommend placing your order as early as possible to avoid any delays, particularly around busy periods. If you have a specific deadline, please let us know when requesting your quote and we'll do our best to accommodate it.
What's the difference between printed, custom, personalised and branded lanyards?
In practice all of these describe the same product — a polyester neck strap printed with your design. "Printed lanyards" refers to the production method (screen print or dye sublimation), "custom lanyards" and "personalised lanyards" describe straps made to your own specification rather than bought off the shelf, and "branded lanyards" or "lanyards with logo" describe the end result: your logo, brand colours and message running along the strap. Whichever term you use, the quote builder above prices it.
Can you supply lanyards with our logo on them?
Yes — lanyards with logo printing are by far our most requested product. Send us your logo in AI, EPS, PDF or high-resolution PNG and our in-house artwork team will set up your design free of charge, then email a digital proof for approval before your branded lanyards go into production. We can match your brand colours to Pantone references on screen printed orders.
The Complete Guide to Custom Printed Lanyards in the UK
What Are Printed Lanyards?
Custom printed lanyards are fabric neckstraps — typically 10mm, 15mm, or 20mm wide — printed with your logo, brand colours, text, or design. They are most commonly used to hold ID cards, access passes, and event badges, but are equally popular as promotional merchandise, staff identification, and branded giveaways. The vast majority of custom lanyards are made from polyester, which accepts both screen printing and dye sublimation printing with excellent colour retention.
Woven vs Printed Lanyards — What's the Difference?
Printed lanyards use screen printing or dye sublimation to apply your design onto the surface of the fabric. Woven lanyards, by contrast, have the design stitched directly into the fabric during manufacture. Printed lanyards are faster to produce, more cost-effective for bulk orders, and better suited to complex artwork and photography. Woven lanyards offer a premium, embroidered feel and are ideal for simpler text-based designs where texture and durability are a priority.
Minimum Order Quantities & Bulk Pricing
Our custom printed lanyards start from as few as 50 units, making them accessible for small businesses, start-ups, and one-off events. The more you order, the lower your unit cost — bulk lanyard orders of 500, 1,000, or 5,000+ units offer significant savings per piece. Request a quote to receive a bespoke price based on your quantity, print method, lanyard width, and chosen attachments.
Choosing the Right Lanyard Width
Lanyard width affects both the visual impact of your print and the comfort of the wearer. 10mm lanyards are slim and understated — great for minimalist designs and everyday office use. 15mm lanyards are the most popular choice, offering a good balance between print area and comfort. 20mm lanyards provide maximum print space and are ideal for bold logos, photographic artwork, and high-visibility branded lanyards at large events.
Eco-Friendly & Recycled Lanyards
Our rPET recycled lanyards are manufactured from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, transformed into premium-quality polyester lanyard fabric. Each recycled lanyard carries the same print quality and durability as standard polyester, but with a meaningfully lower carbon footprint. Eco lanyards are increasingly popular with sustainability-committed organisations, green-certified events, and brands looking to align their merchandise with their environmental values. Available in screen print and dye sublimation.
Free Artwork & Design Support
Every printed lanyard order includes free artwork setup and proofing. Simply send us your logo or design files and our in-house artwork team will prepare a print-ready proof for your approval before production begins. We accept all major file formats including AI, EPS, PDF, and high-resolution PNG. Not sure about your design? Our team is happy to advise on the best print method and colour options for your artwork.
Printed Lanyards, Custom Lanyards or Personalised Lanyards — What's the Difference?
Lanyards are searched for in a dozen different ways, and in practice most of those terms describe the same thing: a polyester neck strap printed with your design and finished with the clip of your choice. Here's how the most common terms are used across the UK print industry — and exactly what each one means when you order from Cards-X.
- Printed Lanyards
- Describes the production method — your artwork is screen printed or dye sublimated directly onto the lanyard fabric. The most cost-effective route to volume, from 100 lanyards for a local event up to 10,000+ for a national rollout.
- Custom Lanyards
- Lanyards built to your own specification rather than bought off the shelf: your width, your fabric, your clip, your length and your print. Everything in the quote builder above produces custom lanyards.
- Personalised Lanyards
- Usually means lanyards carrying specific detail — a name, department, job role, year group or event title — often produced in batches so each team, school year or delegate type receives its own version.
- Custom Printed Lanyards
- The full description of what we supply: a made-to-order strap with your design printed edge to edge in a single colour, spot Pantone colours, or unlimited full colour via dye sublimation.
- Branded Lanyards
- Lanyards that work as brand merchandise — brand colours matched to your guidelines, logo repeated along the strap, and matching card holders or badge reels where a fully branded delegate pack is needed.
- Lanyards with Logo
- The simplest form of a branded lanyard: your logo printed along the strap, set up free of charge by our artwork team and proofed digitally before any production begins.
Still unsure which option fits your project? Build an estimate in the quote builder above or email our lanyard team and we'll recommend the right spec, print method and clip for your budget.
Cards-X is a UK-based supplier of printed lanyards, custom lanyards, personalised lanyards and branded lanyards with logo — serving businesses, schools, charities and event organisers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Ready to Get Your Custom Lanyards Printed?
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a fast, tailored price on your branded lanyards with logo — personalised to your artwork, printed in the UK. No obligation, no fuss.
- Most quotes returned within 2 hours
- UK-based team
- Eco-friendly options available
Need Help Choosing the Right Lanyard?
Our lanyard specialists are here to help you pick the perfect style, attachment, and print method for your event or organisation. Get honest, expert advice with no pressure.