The Complete Guide to Lanyard Printing in Singapore: Materials, Styles, and Customisation Options

gapssg November 19, 2025 No Comments

The Complete Guide to Lanyard Printing in Singapore: Materials, Styles, and Customisation Options

Lanyards may seem like simple accessories, but in Singapore’s business, event, and institutional landscape, they play an essential role in branding, identification, security, and daily operations. From corporate offices and logistics companies to schools, events, and exhibitions, lanyards have become a universal item used to display ID cards, staff passes, event badges, and even small tools.

Because lanyards are so versatile, the demand for high-quality lanyard printing in Singapore has grown significantly. Today, businesses and organisations want lanyards that are not only functional but also stylish, durable, and representative of their brand identity. With so many material choices, printing techniques, and accessory options available, choosing the right combination may feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your first time printing lanyards in bulk.

This detailed guide breaks down everything you need to know before printing your next batch of lanyards in Singapore. We will explore lanyard materials, printing methods, design considerations, popular attachments, and tips for getting the best results at the most cost-efficient pricing.

1. Why Lanyards Are Widely Used in Singapore

Before diving into customisation options, it helps to understand why lanyards are so popular locally.

1.1 Corporate Offices

Employees rely on lanyards to display:

  • Staff ID cards

  • Access passes

  • Security tags

  • Visitor badges

A consistent lanyard design reinforces professionalism and strengthens brand identity.

1.2 Events, Exhibitions & Conferences

Singapore is a major event hub. Lanyards are used for:

  • VIP passes

  • Media badges

  • Exhibitor passes

  • Participant IDs

  • Festival entry tags

They make crowd flow and access control smoother and more efficient.

1.3 Education & Training Institutions

Schools, tuition centres, and training providers use lanyards for:

  • Student identification

  • Teacher/staff IDs

  • CCA or camp group identification

  • Event badges

1.4 Retail, Hospitality & Service Industries

Staff lanyards help customers quickly identify employees, improving service experience.

2. Types of Lanyard Materials

One of the most important decisions when printing lanyards is selecting the right material. Each material affects durability, comfort, price, and printing effect.

Below are the most common materials used in Singapore:

2.1 Polyester Lanyards (Most Popular)

Polyester is the most widely used material due to its affordability, durability, and compatibility with multiple printing methods.

Benefits:

  • Cost-effective

  • Strong and long-lasting

  • Ideal for silkscreen printing

  • Comfortable for daily wear

Good for: Corporate lanyards, events, schools.

2.2 Nylon Lanyards (Premium Feel)

Nylon has a smoother, shinier appearance and feels more premium compared to polyester.

Benefits:

  • High tensile strength

  • Sleek glossy finish

  • Excellent print clarity

Good for: Luxury brands, high-end events, long-term staff use.

2.3 Satin Lanyards

Satin lanyards have a soft, silky texture and vibrant print outcomes.

Benefits:

  • Very comfortable on the neck

  • Suitable for detailed or colourful designs

  • Photographic prints come out beautifully

Good for: Events, promotional campaigns, hospitality.

2.4 Tube Lanyards

Made from tube-stitched polyester, they resemble shoelaces.

Benefits:

  • Very durable

  • Budget-friendly

  • Comfortable to wear

Good for: Schools, sports events, camps.

2.5 Woven Lanyards

Instead of printing, the text or logo is woven directly into the material.

Benefits:

  • Extremely long lifespan

  • Elegant look

  • High durability

Good for: Premium branding, corporate teams, long-term use.

2.6 Eco-Friendly Lanyards (RPET/Bamboo/Cotton)

Companies increasingly choose eco-friendly lanyards made from recycled or organic materials.

Options include:

  • Recycled PET (RPET)

  • Bamboo fibre

  • Organic cotton

Benefits:

  • Environmentally responsible

  • Ideal for green-focused companies

  • Comfortable and stylish

Good for: Sustainability-conscious organisations, NGOs, eco events.

3. Printing Techniques for Custom Lanyards

Choosing the right printing method determines the vibrancy, precision, and durability of your design.

Here are the most common printing techniques used in Singapore:

3.1 Silkscreen Printing

A standard printing method for simple logos and text.

Features:

  • Cost-effective for large orders

  • Very durable

  • Works best for solid colours

Good for: Corporate lanyards with simple designs.

3.2 Dye-Sublimation Printing

Also known as heat transfer printing, this technique allows full-colour images to be printed onto the lanyard.

Features:

  • High-resolution and photographic prints

  • Smooth to the touch

  • Ideal for colourful or gradient designs

Good for: Events, promotions, branded campaigns.

3.3 Woven Text & Logos

Instead of printing, the text is woven into the fabric.

Features:

  • Long-lasting

  • Resistant to fading

  • Premium appearance

Good for: Organisations wanting a luxury look.

3.4 Embroidery

Although less common, some companies opt for embroidered patches onto lanyards.

Features:

  • Strong logo texture

  • Premium aesthetic

  • Durable

Good for: Premium branding or uniforms.

4. Lanyard Width Options

The width of a lanyard affects comfort, print size, and overall appearance.

Common widths available in Singapore:

  • 10mm – slim and minimal

  • 12mm – commonly used

  • 15mm – ideal for logos and text

  • 20mm – best for bold, colourful designs

  • 25mm – for promotional or event-focused prints

Tip:
If your design has detailed graphics or multiple colours, a wider lanyard (15–20mm) will deliver better results.

5. Attachments and Accessories

Lanyard attachments matter more than many organisations realise. The right accessory increases usability and safety.

5.1 Standard Hooks

  • Trigger hook

  • Lobster clasp

  • Metal hook

Used for holding ID cards, passes, and badge holders.

5.2 Badge Holders

Essential for corporate and event use.

Options include:

  • Soft PVC holders

  • Hard plastic holders

  • Custom-sized card sleeves

5.3 Safety Breakaway

A small clasp that releases when pulled—crucial for safety.

Widely used in:

  • Schools

  • Factories

  • Hospitals

  • Corporate offices

5.4 Buckles & Detachable Features

Detachable buckles allow the bottom part of the lanyard to be removed without removing the entire lanyard from the neck.

Useful for:

  • Access cards

  • Door entry points

  • Frequent tapping

5.5 Retractable Badge Reels

These reels allow users to extend their card for scanning.

Perfect for:

  • Offices with access control

  • Warehouses

  • Logistics companies

6. Designing the Perfect Lanyard

A great lanyard combines clean design, sharp readability, and brand consistency.

6.1 Colour Selection

Choose colours that reflect your brand identity. Common choices include:

  • Corporate blue

  • Black

  • White

  • Brand-specific colours

  • Gradient effects for dye-sublimation

Tip: Ensure text contrasts well with the background.

6.2 Logo Placement

Logos can be printed:

  • Repeating across the lanyard

  • At intervals

  • Along one side

  • On both sides

For double-sided dye-sublimation printing, logos appear flawlessly on both sides.

6.3 Font Choice

Use clear, bold fonts that remain readable from a distance. Avoid overly decorative fonts unless used minimally.

6.4 Additional Elements

Some organisations include:

  • Slogans

  • Website URLs

  • Event dates

  • QR codes

  • Department names

These help with identity, branding, and operational clarity.

7. How to Choose the Best Lanyard for Your Needs

With so many options, here’s how to make the right decision:

7.1 For Corporate Offices

Recommended:

  • Polyester or woven lanyards

  • Silkscreen or woven printing

  • Safety breakaway

  • Retractable reel

7.2 For Events & Conferences

Recommended:

  • Dye-sublimation printing

  • 20mm wide lanyards

  • Badge holders

  • Colour-coded designs

7.3 For Schools & Institutions

Recommended:

  • Tube lanyards or polyester

  • Safety release clasp

  • PVC badge holder

7.4 For Premium Branding

Recommended:

  • Satin or nylon material

  • Dye-sublimation or woven designs

  • Custom metal hooks

7.5 For Eco-Friendly Brands

Recommended:

  • RPET recycled lanyards

  • Bamboo fibre lanyards

  • Organic cotton lanyards

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Printing Lanyards

Many companies overlook small but important details. Here are common pitfalls to avoid:

8.1 Choosing the Wrong Material

Not all materials support all printing methods.

8.2 Overcrowding the Design

Too much text can make the lanyard look messy and unreadable.

8.3 Not Considering Safety

Factories, schools, and hospitals should always use safety breakaway clasps.

8.4 Forgetting About Card Size

Ensure your attachment matches your ID or badge shape.

8.5 Ordering Too Few

Reordering small batches later may cost more—print extras upfront.

9. How Fast Can Lanyards Be Printed in Singapore?

Turnaround time depends on printing method and quantity.

Typical lead times:

  • Silkscreen printing: 5–7 working days

  • Dye-sublimation: 7–10 working days

  • Woven lanyards: 10–14 working days

  • Urgent orders: Possible with express production

Local suppliers can produce large quantities quickly, making Singapore an excellent place to order corporate or event lanyards.

10. Why Singapore Businesses Prefer Custom Lanyard Printing

Singapore companies value:

  • Brand professionalism

  • Security access needs

  • High event standards

  • Efficient staff identification

  • Fast turnaround

  • High-quality customisation

This explains the strong demand for reliable, well-designed lanyards.

Conclusion

Custom lanyards are essential across Singapore’s corporate, event, education, and retail industries. With so many material types, printing methods, accessories, and design options available, organisations can easily create lanyards that reflect their brand identity, improve security, and enhance everyday operations. By selecting the right combination of material, printing technique, attachments, and style, you can ensure your lanyards are both functional and visually impressive.

For businesses and event organisers looking for high-quality customised lanyards, you can explore reliable lanyard printing solutions at https://globalasiaprintings.com/lanyard-printing/.

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