Printed vs Plain Lanyards: Which Should You Choose?

Quick Answer Should you choose printed or plain lanyards? Choose plain lanyards for short-term, budget-conscious, or colour-coded uses where branding isn’t required. Choose printed lanyards when professional appearance, brand visibility, or long-term staff identification matters. →Pick plain for visitors, temporary access, or tight budgets and deadlines. →Pick printed for staff ID, conferences, exhibitions, and public-facing […]
Lanyards Online
Jan 30, 2026
Quick Answer

Should you choose printed or plain lanyards?

Choose plain lanyards for short-term, budget-conscious, or colour-coded uses where branding isn’t required. Choose printed lanyards when professional appearance, brand visibility, or long-term staff identification matters.

  • Pick plain for visitors, temporary access, or tight budgets and deadlines.
  • Pick printed for staff ID, conferences, exhibitions, and public-facing roles.
  • Mix both if your organisation hosts events alongside everyday operations.

When ordering lanyards for your organisation, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to choose plain or printed lanyards. Both options have their advantages, depending on how the lanyards will be used and whether branding or identification is important.

If you’re comparing different styles, you can explore our full range of lanyards to see both plain and printed options available for UK organisations.

What Are Plain Lanyards?

Plain lanyards are single-colour lanyards without any printed text or logos. They are a simple, practical option often chosen for temporary use or situations where branding is not required.

Plain lanyards are commonly used for:

Because they don’t require printing, plain lanyards are usually quicker to produce and can be a cost-effective solution for basic needs.

What Are Printed Lanyards?

Printed lanyards feature logos, organisation names or custom designs applied directly to the material. They help reinforce brand identity and create a more professional appearance, particularly in customer-facing or public environments.

Printed lanyards are widely used for:

Options such as printed lanyards and custom lanyards allow you to choose colours, text placement and print methods to suit your branding.



At a Glance

Which option fits your situation?

Option A

Choose Plain Lanyards

  • Visitors and short-term staff
  • Events with colour-coded access
  • Tight budgets or small order quantities
  • Urgent deadlines without artwork prep
  • Internal-only identification
Option B

Choose Printed Lanyards

  • Staff ID and workplace identification
  • Conferences, exhibitions, trade shows
  • Customer-facing or public-facing roles
  • Brand consistency across teams
  • Promotional events and giveaways

When Plain Lanyards Make Sense

Plain lanyards are a good choice when functionality matters more than appearance. They work well in situations where lanyards are used briefly, replaced frequently or only need to identify access levels through colour.

They are also useful when budgets are tight or when lanyards are needed quickly without the extra step of artwork approval.

When Printed Lanyards Are the Better Option

Printed lanyards are ideal when visibility and branding are important. They help staff and attendees look more professional and make it easier to identify people at events or in busy environments.

For organisations that regularly host events or want consistent branding across uniforms and accessories, printed lanyards offer long-term value and a stronger visual impact.

Cost and Ordering Considerations

Plain lanyards are generally cheaper per unit, particularly for smaller orders. Printed lanyards may cost slightly more, but bulk orders often reduce the price difference significantly.

If you’re working to a deadline, production time is also worth considering. For urgent orders, express delivery lanyards can help ensure your order arrives on time.

Making the Right Choice for Your Organisation

The best choice depends on how the lanyards will be used, how long they need to last and whether branding plays a role in your organisation’s image. In many cases, organisations use a combination of plain and printed lanyards for different situations.

To compare styles and find the right option, browse our full range of lanyards or speak to our team for guidance before placing your order.

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Our team can recommend the best option for your event, team or organisation — including custom branding, eco materials and express delivery for tight deadlines.

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