Lanyards look simple, but they do a surprising amount of work. At a conference they separate delegates from speakers and staff at a glance. In an office they keep ID cards visible for security. At a school or hospital they help people know who is who. And every time someone wears one, your logo goes with them. This guide covers what to consider when ordering custom lanyard printing in Dubai, from strap width to the small fittings that make a big difference in daily use.
Where custom lanyards are used in the UAE
- Corporate offices — daily ID and access cards for staff and contractors.
- Conferences and exhibitions — delegate, speaker, media and exhibitor passes, often colour-coded.
- Schools and universities — staff, visitor and student identification.
- Hospitals and clinics — staff identification where visibility and hygiene matter.
- Construction and industrial sites — contractor passes and safety identification.
- National events and celebrations — volunteers and organisers during National Day and community events.
Choosing the strap width
| Width | Best for | Branding space |
|---|---|---|
| 10–15 mm | Everyday office wear, minimal look | Short name or small logo repeat |
| 20 mm | The most common all-purpose width | Logo and short text repeat comfortably |
| 25 mm | Events and conferences | Bold logo, event name and sponsor text |
If your logo is wide or includes Arabic and English text, a wider strap keeps it legible instead of shrinking it until it is unreadable.
Printing methods explained
Dye-sublimation
Full-colour designs, gradients, photographs and complex patterns are printed into the fabric. The result is smooth, flat and durable, and it is the go-to method for event lanyards with detailed artwork.
Screen printing
Ink is printed onto the surface of the strap in one or a few solid colours. It is a classic, crisp look for simple logos and text on a coloured strap.
Woven
The design is woven into the lanyard itself. It gives a premium, textured finish and suits simple logos and text with limited colours.
The fittings matter as much as the strap
The small parts decide whether a lanyard is comfortable, secure and practical:
- Safety breakaway clip — releases under pressure at the back of the neck. Strongly recommended for schools, hospitals, warehouses and anyone working near machinery.
- Metal lobster clip or J-hook — the standard attachment for ID cards and card holders.
- Detachable buckle — lets the wearer remove their card or keys without taking the lanyard off.
- Badge reel — a retractable reel lets staff tap access cards without removing them. See our retractable badge reel, lanyard clip and ID card holder.
- Card holders — rigid or soft holders protect printed ID cards from bending and scratches.
Complete ID solutions
Many businesses need more than a strap — they need a finished staff ID. Our employee ID card with card holder and custom printed lanyard combines the printed card, holder and branded lanyard in one order, which keeps colours and branding consistent across the whole kit. Browse more options in our ID cards collection and badge accessories.
Functional lanyard gifts
Lanyards are also becoming practical gifts. A 4-in-1 lanyard charging cable doubles as a neck strap and a phone charging cable — a smart giveaway for tech conferences and travelling teams. Browse the full range in our lanyards collection.
Colour-coding lanyards for events
For conferences and exhibitions, colour-coding makes access control instant:
- One colour for delegates, another for speakers, VIPs, media, exhibitors and staff.
- Keep the logo and event name identical across all colours so the set still looks unified.
- Print the role (e.g. “SPEAKER”, “MEDIA”) on the strap as well as the badge for even faster identification.
Artwork tips for lanyards
- Supply your logo as a vector file (AI, EPS or PDF).
- Keep the design simple — a lanyard is long and thin, so a repeating logo reads better than a single large graphic.
- Check contrast against the strap colour; white logos on dark straps are the easiest to read.
- Keep text above a minimum readable size — fine text blurs on fabric.
- Remember the lanyard is seen from both sides as it twists; consider double-sided printing for events.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need safety breakaways?
For schools, healthcare, industrial sites and anywhere a lanyard could snag, yes. They are a small addition that prevents neck injuries.
Can I match my brand colours exactly?
Dye-sublimation reproduces brand colours closely. Share your CMYK or Pantone references with your artwork.
Should I order lanyards and ID cards together?
Ordering them together keeps branding consistent and means everything arrives ready to hand out.
Order your custom lanyards
Explore our lanyards, badges and lanyards and name badges collections to build a complete identification kit for your office, event or school, with delivery across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the rest of the UAE.