There are five types of materials used to make lanyards:
- Polyester
- Nylon
- Tubular
- Eco – friendly: Bamboo and recycled PET (made from plastic bottles)
Polyester is the most common material used. Here at Only Lanyards we use a “flat weave” polyester. This gives this style of lanyard a matt finish. Durable and easy to maintain whilst being relatively inexpensive, it is a highly cost effective choice.
Although very similar to polyester in that nylon is both durable and washable, there are some slight differences. Nylon lanyards have a smooth ribbed appearance with a silky, lustre finish. Slightly higher in price than their polyester counterparts but still being fully customizable, nylon are a good choice if you are wanting a glossier appearance.
Tubular lanyards are actually made with polyester, but it is loose-stitched together and then woven together into a tube, creating a shoe lace effect. This makes it the most robust material lanyards are created with. The woven strands lend tubular lanyards an ability to stretch slightly when pulled, useful if you are attaching heavier objects, however this means there can be some distortion of design. So this option is recommended when you have single colour prints with a bold logo. Similar in price to flat weave polyester lanyards, the choice is just a matter of style and comfort, with no edges to aggravate the skin, the tubular lanyard can be more comfortable to wear for longer periods.
Eco-friendly materials
If you have environmental concerns on a personal level or you want your business to have a little more corporate environmental responsibility, then lanyards made from our eco-friendly materials are the right solution for you and your business. There are two options available, both can be pantone matched to your colour requirements and are manufactured using screen printing so there is no loss in customisation. Recycled PET is made from recycled plastic bottles and is very similar in appearance and feel to flat weave polyester. Lanyards can also be made from bamboo which is more akin to a cotton-like material and is much softer. They are both washable and durable.