Lanyards are one of the most practical and visible branding tools at any corporate event. Whether you’re organising a company conference, industry exhibition, product launch, or annual dinner, custom printed lanyards serve a dual purpose: they identify attendees and promote your brand throughout the entire event.
This guide walks you through everything you need to plan, design, and order event lanyards in Malaysia — from choosing the right material to selecting accessories and placing your order on time.
Why Custom Lanyards Matter at Events
A well-designed event lanyard does more than hold a name badge. It’s a walking advertisement that every attendee carries with them — into sessions, networking areas, meals, and even out the door after the event. For multi-day conferences, that’s hours of brand visibility per person.
Custom event lanyards also help with event logistics. Different lanyard colours or designs can distinguish between attendee categories — speakers, VIPs, sponsors, media, general attendees — making access control seamless.
Step 1: Choose Your Lanyard Material
The material affects both the look and the cost of your event lanyards. Here’s a quick guide (see our full material comparison guide for details):
- Polyester (most popular) — Best value for events. Smooth, comfortable, and compatible with full-colour sublimation printing. From RM3.20/pc.
- Nylon — Premium satin finish for executive events. Shinier look and feel. From RM4.50/pc.
- Eco-friendly (rPET) — Made from recycled PET bottles. Great for events with sustainability goals or ESG reporting.
Our recommendation for most events: Polyester with dye sublimation printing. It gives you unlimited colours, edge-to-edge printing, and the best cost-per-unit — perfect for events where you want bold, eye-catching designs.
Step 2: Select Your Printing Method
Your design complexity determines which printing method to use:
- Sublimation — Best for events. Full-colour, edge-to-edge printing. Ideal for colourful event branding, sponsor logos, and conference themes.
- Silkscreen — More economical for simple 1–2 colour logos. Great if you’re on a tight budget and your branding uses solid colours.
Step 3: Design Your Event Lanyard
A great event lanyard design includes:
- Event name and logo — prominently displayed and repeated along the lanyard length
- Date and venue — useful for multi-event organisations
- Sponsor logos — a great way to offset lanyard costs; place sponsor logos alongside the event brand
- Event hashtag or website — encourage social media engagement
- Colour coding — different lanyard colours for different attendee types (e.g., blue for delegates, red for speakers, green for sponsors)
Pro tip: With sublimation printing, you can print different designs on each side of the lanyard — your event brand on one side, and sponsors on the other.
Step 4: Choose Your Accessories
The right lanyard accessories depend on what your attendees will carry:
- Swivel J-hook — Most common for events. Attaches to standard name badge holders.
- Bulldog clip — Clips directly onto a printed badge without needing a holder.
- Card holder (landscape or portrait) — Clear PVC sleeve to display name badges. Choose portrait for most conferences.
- Safety breakaway buckle — Recommended for all events as a safety precaution.
- Phone loop — Add a secondary attachment for phone straps if your event is tech-focused.
Step 5: Calculate Quantities and Order Timeline
How many to order
Order 10–15% more than your expected attendance to account for last-minute registrations, replacements, and samples. Our minimum order is 300 pieces per design.
When to order
| Timeline | Production Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 weeks before event | Standard production | Recommended. Allows time for revisions. |
| 2–3 weeks before event | Express production | Available for most lanyard types. Rush fee may apply. |
| Less than 2 weeks | Emergency rush | Contact us directly. Subject to availability. |
Event Lanyard Cost Breakdown
Here’s a typical cost estimate for a 500-person conference using polyester sublimation lanyards:
- 550 polyester lanyards (sublimation, 20mm width): ~RM3.50/pc = RM1,925
- 550 clear card holders (portrait): ~RM0.80/pc = RM440
- Safety breakaway buckles (included at no extra cost)
- Estimated total: ~RM2,365 (less than RM5 per attendee)
That’s professional event branding for under RM5 per person — one of the most cost-effective branding investments for any conference or corporate event.
Get a Quote for Your Event Lanyards
Planning a corporate event in Malaysia? We’ve produced lanyards for conferences, exhibitions, and corporate functions across Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and beyond.
View our full custom lanyard range, or WhatsApp us with your event details for a free mock-up and quotation. We’ll help you choose the right material, printing method, and accessories for your event.