Proudly Canadian
In Canada’s vibrant professional landscape, conferences serve as vital hubs for networking and industry growth. Whether you are hosting an event in Toronto’s bustling financial district or a tech summit in Vancouver, these gatherings are premier opportunities to make a positive and memorable impression. When guests arrive, their experience is shaped by the seamlessness of the environment you’ve created. Custom lanyards might seem like a small piece of your event planning, but they are often surprisingly important. With their prime location for brand placement and their vital role in event organization, it’s important to make the most of these accessories. Keep reading to explore the key factors to consider for your next successful event.
The Shift Toward Quality in Canada’s Promotional Market
Before we take a tour of the do’s and don’ts of custom lanyard branding, it’s worth considering why such a topic is so important. IBISWorld suggests that competition is growing for sellers and quality is becoming an increasing focus for buyers; additionally, industry activity is concentrated in Ontario and British Columbia. So, what does this tell us not only about lanyards, but any promotional item? We believe it means that no detail, however small, should be overlooked in this competitive landscape. Standing out, making an impression, and being remembered means getting quality branding on quality products. But how can you avoid the pitfalls, especially on core items like lanyards? Let’s take a look at some of the key areas, what to look out for, and how to solve them with Dynamic Gift Canada.
Ensuring Quality Design and Easy Readability
Too empty or too crowded—how do you even begin to add your personal touch to these challengingly shaped objects? Next up are some of the most common issues for custom lanyard design and how to combat them:
Using Complex or Script Fonts
Decorative fonts are difficult to read at a glance. Clean, modern lines are often more legible and noticeable from a distance. Popular fonts include Helvetica, Arial, or Open Sans.
Low-Contrast Colours
While low-contrast designs are excellent for a subtle, professional look, they are also easily overlooked. Avoiding light-on-light or dark-on-dark colour schemes (e.g., yellow text on a white background) is a smart move for easy-to-notice branding. High-contrast, such as black text on a white or pale background, is also great for readability in various lighting conditions.
How to Avoid Poor Logo Placement on Lanyards
If a logo is placed too high on the lanyard, it will be hidden behind the wearer's neck. Branding should be "step-and-repeat" (continuous) to ensure visibility regardless of how the lanyard sits.
Low-Resolution Artwork
Sending low-quality JPEGs for production leads to blurry or pixelated logos. Use vector files (.AI, .EPS, or .PDF) to ensure the print is sharp and professional.
The Importance of Functionality and Comfort
Think about the last time you spent an entire day with something itchy and irritating rubbing against your skin. Aside from being a distraction, ensuring your event accessories are comfortable is an essential part of making the right impression. Prioritizing a design that feels as good as it looks ensures that your guests stay focused on the event rather than their outfit, keeping them engaged and happy from the morning welcome to the final wrap-up.
Inappropriate Lanyard Length
Lanyards that are too long cause badges to hang at waist level, leading to awkward "eye-contact-to-stomach" transitions during networking. The badge should ideally sit at chest level. Dynamic Gift Canada’s standard lanyard length is 900mm before being sewn, with custom lengths also available. Choosing a product like adjustable lanyards is also a great solution for a more tailored fit.
Ignoring Lanyard Width
Selecting a lanyard that is too thin (e.g., 10mm) can cause it to "dig into" the neck if the badge holder is heavy. Selecting a lanyard that is too wide can feel bulky and distracting. A 15mm or 20mm width provides better weight distribution and more space for branding. 20mm is the most popular size as it offers an excellent blend of comfort (without being too thick or thin) and branding space.
Forgetting Safety Breakaways
Failing to include a breakaway clasp (the plastic snap at the back of the neck) is a safety risk, especially in environments with machinery or high-traffic crowds where a lanyard could become snagged. Dynamic Gift Canada’s standard lanyards include one safety breakaway by default, and you can also upgrade and add more break points, or select our safety lanyard for safety and peace of mind.
Understanding Lead Times
Custom-printed lanyards with dye-sublimation or screen print have to be made to order! This means there is a waiting time from your order confirmation with any business. Ordering too late can result in missed windows, especially since conferences and events have set dates.
- Check That Calendar: Check your in-hands date, then inquire with our team to figure out what is available for your business in the timeframe you have.
- Being Prepared: If you have artwork or brand logos in the correct format, sending them ahead of time can streamline your process. Generally speaking, lanyards do not require a lengthy design time, but time can easily slip by with emails back and forth. Having your colours pre-selected along with your hardware fitting can also help save time for your ordering process.
- Short Timeframe Solution: Sometimes something just comes up, but don’t worry, because you can still get a practical solution to ID displays for events with plain lanyards. These are available in-stock and with fast shipping, making them perfect for last minute orders.
Ordering ID Display Accessories
Before you start creating, don’t forget your badge holders! With a variety of options available, you can get the perfect card holder for your badges. A popular choice for events and conferences is the soft ID holders, as you can slide a piece of cardstock inside with a guest's name on. For more durable options, open and closed face card holders are also available. Unsure which ID display will work with your lanyard attachment? Are you unsure what a bulldog clip or a swivel hook is? Don’t worry, we are here to help!
Creating Custom Lanyards Like a Professional
Now that you know some of the top tips and tricks to creating effective lanyards for conferences and events, it’s time to get started creating yours. Showing you are organized from the very moment attendees walk into your venue is an essential part of creating a positive impression and experience. By locking in your event lanyards in good time, you are taking a step towards better organization and taking advantage of a great branding location for your message or company name. Inquire with Dynamic Gift Canada to get started with bulk lanyards for events and make the most of your next event!
Looking for more information on lanyards this season? Check out our featured article for this year's latest essential guide.
