As more day-to-day activity moves indoors during autumn, it is worth checking whether your current lanyard setup still suits how people actually use thei ID and access cards. The printed lanyard is only one part of that setup. The clip, holder, safety breakaway and any additional attachments matter too.
A lanyard that looks right may still be inconvenient if someone regularly needs to present an access card to a reader, carry more than one credential or remove their card from its holder.
Rather than changing everything, a seasonal check is an opportunity to look at how your existing setup is being used and whether a different attachment or lanyard accessory would be more appropriate.
Why the complete lanyard setup matters
When ordering lanyards, much of the initial attention naturally goes towards the strap itself. Colour, branding, width and printed design are all important, but they do not determine how convenient the finished lanyard will be to use.
Consider what needs to hang from it and what the wearer needs to do with it during the day. Someone carrying a single ID card may need a straightforward lanyard and holder. Someone who regularly presents an access card to a reader may benefit from a different attachment.
Looking at the complete setup before ordering can help you choose the strap, fitting and holder around the way the lanyard will actually be used.
What should an organisation check in its lanyard setup?
An organisation should check what the lanyard needs to carry, how frequently the wearer needs to handle or present their card, whether a safety breakaway is required, and whether the clip, holder and any retractable reel are compatible. The right setup depends on the environment, organisational requirements and how the identification is used.
It is also worth considering whether the current arrangement still suits the role. A setup that works well for a visible staff ID card may be less convenient for someone who needs to present an access card several times a day.
Choose attachments around how the pass is used
A safety breakaway is designed to separate when sufficient force is applied to the lanyard. We Print Lanyards can supply lanyards with a safety breakaway and metal trigger clip as standard.
Whether a safety breakaway is required should be determined by your organisation's own policies, procedures and risk assessment for the environment in which the lanyard will be worn. It should not be treated as a feature that removes all risk or automatically makes a lanyard suitable for every workplace.
A metal trigger clip provides a straightforward way to attach a compatible ID card holder or other suitable fitting. For someone who mainly needs their ID card to remain visible, that may be all that is required.
If the wearer regularly needs to move an access card towards a door or reader, repeatedly unclipping the holder or removing the lanyard may be inconvenient. In that situation, a retractable badge reel can be useful when it forms part of a compatible card, holder and attachment setup.
The reel allows the wearer to extend the card towards the reader and let it return without removing the lanyard. The important part is checking that the reel, holder and fitting work together.
The number of items being carried also matters. A single ID card is different from a setup involving an access credential, additional pass or keys. It is worth checking whether every item genuinely needs to be carried on the same lanyard before choosing the final attachment.
A quick lanyard setup checklist before ordering
Before requesting a quote or placing an order, check:
- What does each person need to carry?
- Does the ID card need to remain visible?
- How often does an access card need to be presented to a reader?
- Does your organisation require a safety breakaway for this environment?
- Is the card holder compatible with the chosen clip or attachment?
- Would a retractable badge reel make regular card use more convenient?
- Are any additional credentials or keys being carried?
Answering these questions before choosing the finished specification can make it easier to decide which combination of lanyard, holder and attachment fits the requirement.
Build the setup around how it will be used
There is no single lanyard setup that is right for every workplace, school, healthcare setting, public building or event venue.
The more useful approach is to start with the environment and the wearer. Think about what they need to carry, how often they interact with their card and which fittings are appropriate for the intended use.
We Print Lanyards manufactures custom printed lanyards in Long Eaton, Nottingham, using CMYK dye sublimation printing. Our team can also help you consider compatible card holders and attachments when putting together your requirement.
If you already know the specification you need, you can Design Your Own Lanyard online.
Need help choosing the right combination for your requirements? Get a quote and speak to the We Print Lanyards team.