All About Lanyards...What, When, Who, Where, and Why

Online, November 21, 2009 (Newswire.com) - What are Lanyards?

Lanyards are worn around the neck to hold ID badges, whistles, keys, and other objects. They are made from tightly woven thread materials that commonly include nylon and polyester and sometimes cotton and silk. Lanyards also have the capability of being customized in a number of ways. Some of the customizable features include type of attachment clip; lanyard color, width, and material; message and logo with choice of font style, size, and color.
When lanyards are customized they become useful for multiple uses and industries.

Who uses Lanyards? Where are they used?

Based on market research the use of lanyards has been on a steady rise since the early 1990s. Based on recent buyer data received from www.LowCostLanyards.com, U.S. lanyard suppliers and manufacturers have provided custom and blank lanyards to corporations, small businesses, start-ups, wholesalers, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, trade shows, conferences, charity events, and small community and family / friends events. See the following to give you an idea of the various hands that lanyards go through.

* - Product / Service Promoters ---> General public (customers, clients, interested audience)
* - Employers ---> Employees and their immediate and extended family and friends
* - Schools, universities, and Colleges ---> Students, prospects, fans, faculty and staff
* - Events (trade shows, conferences, reunions, et. al) ---> Attendees , sponsors

Where can I order / buy lanyards?

There are plenty of online suppliers and manufacturers of custom lanyards. When shopping keep the following criteria and tips in mind.

Quality: Most lanyards are similar in quality. It is your preference if you want polyester lanyards and tube lanyards printed with silk-screen printing or heat transfer printing. Both printing methods result in text or logos that will last you and your end users for years to come.

Pricing: This is the most important factors nowadays - especially when quality of lanyards is pretty similar amongst many providers. Shop around and look for the lowest prices or a "low price guarantee". Also, look out for the extras such as artwork fees, setup fees, additional color charges, prices of accessories (attachments, badge holders, badge reels) and shipping costs. Do not compare base prices; compare the final prices once you are about to checkout.

Customer Service: Feel free to call lanyard suppliers for help with customization, artwork, and FAQs. You will know right off the bat if they have good service. Most will offer artwork design and proofs for free. Also, remember most lanyards on the web have the same quality - shop by price.

Why use Custom Lanyards?

Generally, lanyards can be used for promotional purposes or security and safety purposes.

When it comes to choosing marketing / promoting products consider the following in your decision making process.

* - Does the product have a wide range of applications / uses? And will it actually be used for its purposes?
* - Are the products noticeable when used?
* - Is the message and logo on the product visible and easy to ready?
* - Is it economical? Your promo items will be given away for free therefore make sure they don't cost too much.

Now, using the questions above lets analyze custom lanyards.

* - Lanyards, with their capability of having various attachments, can hold any small personal belonging.
* - Lanyards are worn around the neck and therefore very noticeable during conversations and brief encounters. When customized with a logo and/or message lanyards become a very effective marketing medium. Personalize and customize lanyards to your needs.
* - Lanyards come in various widths. Lanyards wider than 10mm have proven to be visible and legible from a meet/greet distance (anywhere between 6 inches and 5 feet). Also, ensure your custom lanyard has font with the optimum color combination with the lanyard and font style.
* - Custom lanyards are one of the most competitive custom promotional products due to their high-impact low cost features. A bundle of 100 custom lanyards with an attachment and a custom message and/or logo can cost you less than $1 per lanyard (shipping included).

Lanyards are also used by schools, institutions, and companies for safety and security reasons. Lanyards are frequently seen around the workplace and offices to visibly display and access id badges. Schools use lanyards for field trips and other school outings to keep track of students and hang safety information and key contacts.