When planning an event, conference, or trade show, lanyards are often overlooked—yet they are one of the most visible branding tools your attendees will carry all day. A well-chosen lanyard keeps badges visible, reinforces your brand, and even becomes a keepsake long after the event ends.
But with three popular options—printed lanyard, woven lanyard, and PVC lanyard—how do you choose? Each offers different advantages in cost, clarity, durability, and comfort.
What Are the Three Lanyard Types?
All three lanyards are made from different materials and processes, which directly affects their look, feel, and performance.
Printed lanyards are the most common. They start with polyester or nylon webbing. The design is printed onto the surface using heat transfer, screen printing, or digital printing. The print sits on top of the fabric, so colors are sharp and unlimited. Production takes 7-12 days, and the minimum order is 100 pieces. They are lightweight, comfortable for all-day wear, and the most affordable option. However, because the print is on the surface, it can fade or peel after extended use—typically 6-12 months of daily wear. They are also not waterproof, so moisture can damage the print.
Woven lanyards are made on jacquard looms. Colored threads are woven directly into the fabric, so the design becomes part of the lanyard itself—not printed on top. This makes them extremely durable and fade-proof. However, they are limited to 1-6 colors and take 10-15 days to produce. Minimum order is 100 pieces. The weaving process creates a slightly pixelated appearance, so fine details may not be as sharp as printed options. They cost more than printed lanyards but offer a premium, professional look that suits corporate branding.
PVC lanyards are made from soft, flexible PVC through liquid injection molding. They are 100% waterproof and have a distinctive rubbery feel. They offer unlimited colors and sharp details, but require a one-time mold investment and a minimum order of 500 pieces. Production takes 10-15 days. PVC lanyards are heavier around the neck and have the highest cost due to mold fees, but they are extremely durable, tear-resistant, and easy to clean—just wipe with a damp cloth. They are the go-to choice for outdoor events and wet environments.
How Do They Compare in Detail?
Printed Lanyards – What You Need to Know
The printing method you choose affects the final quality. Screen printing is the most affordable option, good for simple logos with 1-4 colors, and works best for large bulk orders. Heat transfer offers very good quality with unlimited colors, making it ideal for full-color logos and gradients at a mid-range cost. Digital printing delivers excellent quality with unlimited colors, suitable for complex artwork and photo-realistic designs, though it comes at a higher cost.
Printed lanyards are available in widths of 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, and 25mm—with 15mm and 20mm being the most popular. Material options include polyester, nylon, satin, and cotton. Common accessories include swivel hooks, lobster claws, bulldog clips, badge holders, and safety breakaway buckles. For events with tight budgets or short timelines, printed lanyards are the obvious choice.
Woven Lanyards – What You Need to Know
The weave type determines the final look and feel. Plain weave is a simple over-under pattern with a smooth finish, best for simple logos and budget-friendly woven lanyards. Twill weave has a diagonal pattern that is soft and flexible, making it comfortable for daily wear. Dobby weave creates complex patterns with a textured finish, ideal for premium branding and detailed logos.
Woven lanyards typically come in 15mm, 20mm, and 25mm widths, with 20mm being the most common. They are made from 100% polyester or nylon threads. Accessories are similar to printed lanyards—swivel hooks, lobster claws, bulldog clips, and safety breakaway buckles. Because the design is woven into the fabric, woven lanyards never fade, peel, or crack. They are ideal for corporate events, executive conferences, employee ID programs, and premium brand promotions.
PVC Lanyards – What You Need to Know
PVC lanyards offer unique advantages. They are 100% waterproof, extremely durable, tear-resistant, and easy to clean. The soft rubbery texture feels distinctive and stands out from fabric lanyards. They support unlimited colors with Pantone matching available, so complex logos reproduce beautifully. However, they require a one-time mold investment, which is amortized over your order quantity. For the best value, we recommend ordering 1,000+ pieces to make the mold cost worthwhile.
Common widths are 15mm, 20mm, and 25mm, with 20mm and 25mm being the most popular. Thickness ranges from 2mm to 4mm—noticeably thicker than printed or woven options. Accessories include metal hooks, plastic clips, and badge holders. PVC lanyards are the top choice for outdoor events, sports tournaments, water parks, political campaigns, and any situation where lanyards will be exposed to water, sweat, or weather.
Quick Comparison Table
Feature | Printed Lanyard | Woven Lanyard | PVC Lanyard |
Cost | $ (Low) | $$ (Mid) | $$$ (High) |
Production Time | 7-12 days | 15-20 days | 15-20 days |
Minimum Order | 100 pcs | 100 pcs | 500 pcs |
Color Limit | Unlimited | 1-6 colors | Unlimited |
Design Clarity | 9.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
Durability | 6.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
Waterproof | No | No | Yes |
Best For | Conferences, schools | Corporate events | Outdoor events |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Printed Lanyard if:
1. You have a tight budget and need to keep costs low
2. You need fast delivery—printed lanyards are ready in 7-12 days
3. Your design uses full-color logos, photos, or gradients with no color limits
4. Your event is indoors, such as conferences, schools, or trade shows
5. You are ordering 500+ pieces for the best value
Choose Woven Lanyard if:
1. You want a premium, professional look that reflects well on your brand
2. Durability and fade-resistance matter—the design will never peel or crack
3. Your design is simple with 1-6 colors
4. Your event is corporate or executive-level
5. You are ordering 500-2,000 pieces (the sweet spot for woven lanyards)
Choose PVC Lanyard if:
1. Your event is outdoors or near water, and you need waterproof lanyards
2. You need tear-resistant lanyards that will hold up to heavy use
3. You are ordering 500+ pieces to justify the one-time mold investment
4. You want a unique, soft rubbery texture that stands out from standard fabric lanyards
5. You are ordering 1,000+ pieces for the best value per unit
Real Examples from Our Production
Case 1: A tech company ordered 3,000 printed lanyards for their annual developer conference. They needed full-color gradient logos and 15-day delivery. We delivered on time with matching event pin badges, and the gradient print came out sharp and vibrant. The client was so satisfied that they reordered for their next event.
Case 2: A regional marathon ordered 2,000 printed lanyards with custom medal sets. The lanyards featured the event logo on both sides. The medals were zinc alloy with gold, nickel, and copper plating—each finish was assigned to a different race category (full marathon, half marathon, and 10K). All items shipped together, saving the client time and shipping costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which lanyard is the cheapest?
Printed lanyards are the most affordable, ideal for large events with tight budgets. Woven lanyards cost more but offer premium durability. PVC lanyards are the most expensive due to mold costs.
Q2: Which lanyard has the best print quality?
Printed and PVC lanyards both offer sharp, full-color print quality with no color limits. Woven lanyards have a slightly pixelated appearance due to the weaving process and are limited to 1-6 colors.
Q3: Which lanyard is most durable?
Both woven and PVC lanyards are highly durable. Woven resists fading because the color is woven into the fabric. PVC is waterproof and tear-resistant, making it best for outdoor and wet environments.
Why AQ PINS & GIFTS for Your Custom Lanyards?
With over 15 years of experience, AQ PINS & GIFTS has produced millions of custom lanyards, silicone bracelets, and event pin badges for clients worldwide. We offer all three lanyard types—printed, woven, and PVC—with consistent quality across your entire event merchandise program.
Key Advantages:
1.All three lanyard types available—printed, woven, and PVC
2.Matching silicone bracelets and event pin badges available
3.Low MOQs across all types—start with just 100 pieces
4.Free design consultation to help you choose the right lanyard
5.In-house production for faster turnaround and better quality control
Ready to Order Custom Lanyards?
Choosing the right lanyard for your event doesn't have to be complicated. With over 15 years of experience across all three lanyard types, we help you make the right call—on budget, durability, and brand impact.
Ready to order custom lanyards for your event? Send your artwork to our team for a complimentary recommendation and quote within 24 hours. Free samples available for qualified inquiries.
