Lanyards are a low-fuss solution for event tickets, security, and branding. But if you’ve ever distributed them at your company or worn one yourself, you may have noticed that many lanyards have a twist that can become tangled over time.

Why are lanyards twisted? The twist helps your badge or credentials lie flat against your body while remaining comfortable on your neck. The right design can also boost the lanyard's branding potential.

However, the twist design isn’t always suitable. There are also twistless lanyard styles that can be very effective.

This article will explore various lanyard styles to help you make the right choice. 

At CustomLanyard.net, we’ve helped over 1 million customers with customizable products. Our selection of personalized lanyards contains several styles to fit your goals, and we provide stellar customer service at every step.

Why Are Lanyards Twisted?

So, why do lanyards have a twist, anyway?

It isn’t just a stylistic choice. The twist is a functional design that solves a few of the most common issues with non-twist lanyards.

With the twist, a lanyard becomes comfortable, laying flat against your body and displaying information accurately.

Badge and Attachment Orientation

Why are lanyards twisted? Consider the most common use cases for these nifty tools. What is a lanyard used for? Security, event tickets, easy identification, and branding.

In all of these cases, it is paramount that one can quickly and easily read the contents of a lanyard. Without the twist, badges may flop around or sit at an angle. That slight shift can change the overall presentation and make it look unprofessional.

Enhanced Comfort and Wearability

Lanyard twists aren’t just about presentation. Why do lanyards have a twist besides ease of reading?

Adding a twist to the lanyard conforms to the neck's natural curve. The twisted lanyard sits right on the groove, reducing irritation and allowing people to wear it for an entire workday.

Because the attachment is lying flat, the twist creates an even weight distribution. 

Twisted lanyards also usually come with adjustable points that maximize comfort for the wearer.

Durability and Style

If your company is ordering a new set of lanyards, durability must be a part of your criteria.

Why are lanyards twisted? Longevity is another key answer. The twist distributes the weight and stress on the lanyard, allowing it to hold badges and swivels without causing damage. 

The twist helps prevent tangles and kinks, which can weaken the underlying material. Twisted lanyards are even less likely to get snagged or caught on nearby objects since they tend to lie flat on the body.

Of course, don’t overlook style, either. The twisted design gives them a modern, professional feel. This pattern also highlights color blocking, text, and logos for branding purposes.

So, why do lanyards have a twist? The twist exists for both form and function. Twisted lanyards are durable and comfortable for the wearer, and they highlight badge and brand designs.

However, just because twists are typical, that doesn’t mean they are the only choice for you to make.

Are All Lanyards Twisted?

Plenty of twist-free designs exist, even if they aren’t the standard for functionality and form.

Classic ‘flat’ lanyard designs have a simple, untwisted strap. Lanyards made of ropes, tubes, or beads also have a twist that is not typical of most lanyards.

And if you’re working with a professional lanyard designer, you can even create twist-free customized styles.

The choice often comes down to how your organization plans to use them.

If you’re having trouble deciding, remember the benefits of each. Why are lanyards twisted in the first place? For comfort, readability, branding, and durability. 

If those values aren’t crucial to your organization or you prefer the flat style, an untwisted design may be better for you.

How to Stop a Lanyard From Twisting if You Don’t Want it to

What should you do if you face down an inventory full of twisted lanyards but all you want is a sleek, flat design?

You have several options, including how you use attachments, which storage techniques you use, and how you use heat.

Correct Attachment Techniques

Attachments are central to the function and style of your lanyard. Heavy or incorrectly positioned items can weigh down your lanyard and cause excessive twisting.

Ensure that all attachments you use are compatible with your lanyard. Check that every clip, hook, and ring is closed and secure. If your attachment rotates, it can cause the lanyard to twist.

If you’re using a badge, you want to verify that it is attached in the center of the top edge rather than at a corner. This will ensure balance and prevent a lopsided weight distribution.

You can also use a clothes iron or double-sided tape to “train” your lanyard to stay flat. However, this may cause damage to the underlying material, so only use these methods if nothing else works.

Invest in Swivel Attachments

Swivel attachments allow you to move your badge without twisting the lanyard. They provide free rotation and attach to your badge or ID. Employees or attendees just flip the badge or ID to scan or read, and then they’re all set.

Using a swivel will put less stress on the lanyard, increasing its longevity. It also maintains a professional appearance by reducing tangles or twists.

Proper Storage

Lanyards must be stored correctly when not in use. Hanging them on a hook allows gravity to straighten them naturally. This is far preferable to storing them in a messy pile, as they won’t get tangled.

If you need to pack them in a suitcase for travel, roll them gently rather than bunching or folding them. When you unroll them, they won’t have excessive twists, ensuring a professional appearance.

Keep your lanyards in a cool, dry place away from the elements to avoid warping the materials.

Choose Anti-Twist Lanyards

If all else fails, your organization may benefit from a twist-free lanyard. These styles include tubular lanyards with badge holders, open-ended lanyards, and cord lanyards.

With these styles, you should prevent most twisting by following the rest of the tips in this section.

Picking the Perfect Lanyard For Your Needs

Ultimately, choosing the best lanyard style is a matter of personal preference. You must consider your intended use case and your organization's style choices.

Material and Style

There are several different types of lanyards to choose from. Your choice begins with the baseline material.

 

  • Polyester: Polyester is durable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly. They are also easy to customize.
  • Nylon: Nylon is a sleeker material than polyester. It features a subtle sheen and is more comfortable to wear, making it a strong choice when professionalism is paramount.
  • Woven: Woven styles have plenty of design flexibility. They are a strong option for branded merchandise, event tickets, and souvenirs.
  • Tube: Tube lanyards come in several types of materials and are less likely to twist.
  • Satin: Satin lanyards, like their nylon counterparts, are a fantastic choice for upscale settings and VIP identification.
  • Reflective: Reflective lanyards provide high visibility and help enhance safety in low-light settings. They are frequently made with polyester.

 

Once you have the base set, add branding style. If needed, this can be as minimalistic as a company logo. But if you’re hosting a concert, art fair, or other creative event, a bolder, eye-catching series of designs and patterns may be better suited, like a two-tone lanyard.

Sizing the Lanyard

From there, you’ll want to size your lanyard properly. This consists of two factors: the length and width of the design.

If you’re ordering in bulk, you’ll want to ensure your lanyard is adjustable. The standard length is often 36 inches, but you can go shorter or longer based on who will wear it. Children, for example, would be better suited for lanyards 30 inches or less.

The thickness, or width, is more of a stylistic choice. Wider lanyards provide more branding space but may feel more cumbersome to the wearer.

When in doubt, ordering a few different lengths can be helpful, though we recommend keeping the width consistent for professionalism.

Look for Functional Features

What about the many things to put on a lanyard? Attachments and features can make or break their functionality.

Breakaway clasps and buckles are excellent safety features for quickly releasing your lanyard. Badge holders, reels, and swivels are essential for identification and security practices. Attachment points like phone holders or extra hooks can also help carry small tools.

These features may be superfluous in some settings but essential in others. Consider all potential use cases, as these accessories can make the lives of your employees or attendees easier.

The Personalization Process

Now comes the most exciting part of designing a lanyard: adding personalization!

With proper customization, you can turn a drab lanyard for security into a walking billboard for your organization.

For example, you can print, dye, heat transfer, or embroider logos, slogans, and patterns to your basic lanyard, turning it into a fashion accessory people proudly wear.

Customization also allows you to add essential information for events, trade shows, and conferences, such as the name, date, and sponsors. Thus, your lanyards become a lasting souvenir.

Other fun features include QR codes, LED or glow-in-the-dark materials, and glitter, which can catch people’s attention.

But even if you’re just ordering lanyards for security at your facilities, there are still minimalist brand opportunities. Even a simple logo can make strangers familiar with your company.

The personalization options are nearly endless. The best part is that you don’t have to make all these customizations yourself. You can let the professionals handle the job for you.

Bring Your Custom Lanyard Vision to Life at CustomLanyard.net!

Whether you need twisting or non-twisting lanyards, organizations worldwide trust CustomLanyard.net for all their needs.

We’ve served over one million customers and are the pinnacle of excellence in customizable organizational products. Our diverse inventory of lanyards has something for every organization.

You’ll find custom woven lanyards, custom sublimation lanyards, custom polyester lanyards, custom tubular lanyards, and more. Every lanyard is made of high-quality, comfortable materials, even for extended use.

At CustomLanyard.net, we provide the tools to make personalization easy. Our simple-to-use online customizers allow you to select every aspect of your lanyard, from its width and length to all the necessary attachments.

You’ll also have access to our competitive pricing, including discounts for bulk orders. And when you order with us, you won’t have to worry about shipping delays. We prioritize speedy turnaround times, ensuring your lanyards arrive with plenty of time to spare before your big event.

Final Words on the Purpose of a Twisted Lanyard

Why are lanyards twisted? The twisting nature of most lanyard styles enhances their form and function. It keeps the material sturdy and provides a comfortable wearing experience.
While not all lanyard styles are twisted, we recommend them in most cases.

A customized lanyard order can be a game-changer if you're ready to improve security and enhance branding opportunities.

Whether you regularly host events or need to verify employees and visitors in your facilities quickly, a custom lanyard can help.

CustomLanyard.Net has been trusted by organizations such as Nike, Google, Yelp, and Netflix for years. We provide best-in-class service, speedy shipping, and top product quality.

Browse our website to explore customization options, or contact our team to learn more today!