Custom printed lanyards and blank lanyards hold a badge the same way, but they do very different jobs. A custom lanyard puts your logo, event name, or a sponsor's brand in every photo and every conversation, and it can even pay for itself as a sponsorship placement. Blank lanyards ship from stock the same day and make color coding simple. For most events, custom lanyards should lead the plan, and blank lanyards fill the gaps around them.
What you get with custom printed lanyards
- Full-color printing: Your logo, event name, colors, or sponsor artwork printed on the strap.
- Three widths: 5/8", 3/4", and 1", so you can match the lanyard to the badge size and how much artwork you need to fit.
- Attachments: Single or double ends with a bulldog or lobster clip.
- Assembly: Crimped or sewn.
- Proof first: Every order gets a digital proof before production starts.
- Lead time: 10 to 12 business days after proof approval, plus shipping.
You can set up your width, ends, clip, and artwork in the online designer and see a 3D preview before you order.
When custom lanyards earn the lead time
- You have a lanyard sponsor: A sponsor name on every attendee's neck is one of the most visible sponsorship placements you can sell, and it can offset the cost of the lanyards.
- Brand visibility matters: Lanyards appear in nearly every event photo, so printed artwork extends your brand into social posts and press coverage.
- You want harder-to-copy credentials: A printed event name or year adds a layer of verification at access points.
- It's a flagship event: For an annual conference or a product launch, a fully branded lanyard rounds out the attendee experience and matches your custom event badge.
- Your colors aren't stock colors: Custom printing matches your brand palette instead of the closest solid color.
Our custom lanyards guide walks through widths, materials, attachments, and assembly in more detail.
Custom vs blank lanyards at a glance
| Factor | Custom printed lanyards | Blank lanyards |
|---|---|---|
| Branding | Your logo, event name, or sponsor artwork | None on the strap |
| Colors | Full-color printing in your palette | Five stock colors |
| Widths | 5/8", 3/4", and 1" | 3/4" |
| Attachments | Single or double ends, bulldog or lobster clip, crimped or sewn | Single or double bulldog clip |
| Proof required | Yes, a digital proof before production | No |
| Lead time | 10 to 12 business days after proof approval, plus shipping | Ships same day (order by 3 p.m. CT) |
| Best for | Sponsorship, brand visibility, flagship events | Tight timelines, color coding, staff, overflow |
Plan your custom lanyard order
The main thing custom lanyards ask of you is time. Count back from your event date: shipping, then 10 to 12 business days of production, then however long your team (or your sponsor) needs to approve the proof. Sponsor artwork is usually the slowest step, so request logos and brand guidelines as soon as the sponsorship is signed.
- Pick the width for the artwork: A 5/8" strap suits a simple logo or event name. A 1" strap gives a sponsor lockup or a longer line of text room to read.
- Keep the design readable at a distance: Short text, high contrast, and a repeated logo read better than detailed artwork that gets lost when the lanyard twists.
- Choose ends for the badge: Double ends hold larger badges like 4x6 straight and stop them from flipping to the blank side, which matters when the badge carries a QR code that gets scanned all day.
- Order a buffer: Add 5% to 10% above registrations for walk-ups and replacements, since a second custom run won't arrive in time.
When blank lanyards are the right call
- Width and material: 3/4" premium polyester satin with a smooth finish and crimped assembly.
- Stock colors: Red, blue, navy blue, white, and black.
- Attachments: Single bulldog or double bulldog clip.
- Speed: In stock and ships the same day when ordered by 3 p.m. CT.
- Bulk pricing: Orders start at 50 lanyards, and the per-unit price drops as quantity goes up.
Blank lanyards are the dependable choice in a few situations:
- Your event is inside the custom window: If there isn't time for proofing and production, blank lanyards still get there.
- You're color coding roles: Solid colors are easy to read across a room, so they work well for separating staff, speakers, exhibitors, and attendees.
- You need extras for walk-ups: Late registrations, replacement badges, and on-site guests all need lanyards. A buffer of blank lanyards covers them without a second production run.
- Staff and volunteers: Crew lanyards rarely need branding, but they do need to stand out. Our guide to staff and volunteer management covers how to badge your team.
How to color code with plain lanyards
Color coding is the most common reason planners order blank lanyards in bulk. A few rules keep it working on-site:
- Limit the palette: Four or five colors is about the most anyone can remember. More than that and staff stop trusting the system.
- Assign colors by need, not preference: Give the highest-contrast color to the group people most need to find quickly, usually staff or security.
- Post a legend: Put the color key on signage at check-in and in the staff briefing so everyone reads the system the same way.
- Back up color with text: Print the role on the badge as well. Color alone fails for attendees with color vision deficiencies, and in dim ballrooms navy and black can look alike.
Here's one way to map the five stock colors:
| Lanyard color | Example role |
|---|---|
| Red | Event staff and security |
| Blue | General attendees |
| Navy blue | Speakers and presenters |
| White | Exhibitors and sponsors |
| Black | VIPs and hosts |
For access tiers that control where people can go, see event security and credentialing. Pricing on 3/4" blank lanyards is tiered, so check the next quantity break before you order.
Pro tip: You don't have to choose one or the other. Order custom printed lanyards for attendees and blank lanyards in contrasting colors for staff, speakers, and overflow. Attendees get the branded look, and your team stands out.
Lead with custom lanyards that carry your brand into every photo, and keep blank lanyards on hand for the roles and walk-ups that need them.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between custom and blank lanyards?
Custom lanyards are printed with your logo, event name, or sponsor artwork and are made to order after you approve a proof. Blank lanyards are plain, solid-color lanyards kept in stock with no printing on the strap.
How long do custom lanyards take?
Billy's Badges custom lanyards take 10 to 12 business days after proof approval, plus shipping. Build in time for artwork and proof approval, especially if a sponsor needs to sign off.
What widths and attachments do custom lanyards come in?
Custom lanyards come in 5/8", 3/4", and 1" widths, with single or double ends, a bulldog or lobster clip, and crimped or sewn assembly.
How fast do blank lanyards ship?
Billy's Badges blank lanyards are kept in stock and ship the same day when ordered by 3 p.m. CT. Transit time depends on the shipping method and destination.
What colors do blank lanyards come in?
The 3/4" polyester satin blank lanyards come in red, blue, navy blue, white, and black. If you need a specific brand color, custom printed lanyards can match your palette.
Are blank lanyards cheaper than custom lanyards?
Yes. Blank lanyards cost less per unit because there's no artwork, proofing, or printing. Custom lanyards cost more, but selling the lanyard as a sponsorship placement can offset the cost.