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While you may not necessarily know what lanyards are, as the term is not commonly used, you most likely either wear or use one yourself or see people wearing them on a daily basis. A lanyard is a cord that is worn either around the neck or the wrist that is used to carry an object such as an ID card, a whistle, or a set of keys for example. A neck lanyard is perhaps one of the more common lanyards that you will see, as many workplaces now require that their employees wear id lanyards. Lanyards are also in common use nowadays to keep track of electronic devices such as MP3 players, flash drives and mobile telephones.
Originating centuries ago in the military, lanyards were once used to attach weapons especially in situations where there was a good likelihood that the weapon could get lost. Cavalry soldiers often wore their swords or pistols attached to a lanyard and officers and soldiers commonly wore them at sea. While they were at first a more functional item, eventually lanyards became a more decorative part of an officer or soldiers’ formal attire. Today badge lanyards are still worn by employees in many different institutions such as hospitals and schools.
Typically, lanyards are made from either braided or flat material in a variety of colors with a clip attached to the end where a small plastic pouch or other object can be attached. The nylon lanyard is a very popular choice. They can be bought in bulk at many office supply or sports stores. Office depot, GBC and Sport Supply Group are common brands that offer bulk supplies of lanyards for cheap prices. There are also many brand specific lanyards available which are aimed particularly at the younger crowd such as the Disney “High School Musical” themed lanyards.
 As more employees are being required to wear ID lanyards these days, women especially are searching for a more decorative style neck lanyard. A very popular replacement to what is often termed ‘shoelace lanyards’ is beaded lanyards. Many women employees are beginning to trade their company issued lanyard with a lanyard that is made from fashion beads. Naturally, beaded lanyards are quite a bit more expensive than the regular type but it seems that they are definitely preferred over the drab ones that are normally given to employees. A plus with beaded and individualized lanyards are that they can also be color coordinated to wear with any outfit, thus women no longer need to worry if their bright yellow fabric lanyard is going to clash with their red outfit. Instead, they can choose to wear a neutral colored, or even red beaded lanyard instead.
It appears that fashion is catching up to the world of lanyards. You are now able to buy lanyards made out of many different materials online. Beaded lanyards are a big seller amongst women shoppers but people are also going for denim lanyards, tie-dyed lanyards and even strobe LED light-up lanyards! There are also many cool lanyards sold with special designs marked on the cord itself, such as pirate lanyards that are marked with skulls and crossbones; Snoopy Joe lanyards; Halloween lanyards and animal prints.
Lanyards are not restricted to only being worn around the neck either. The lanyard keychain is commonly worn strapped around the wrist, as are lanyards used to attach small cameras, mobile phones and other small electronic devices. Lanyards have become a very familiar site both in the home and especially in the workplace where they are used for ID purposes, or to hold access cards to different sections of the workplace and of course to keep hold of those small items that have become essentials in the average workplace such as USB flash drives.
A lanyard is a cord or string, sometimes referred to as a shoelace, that is worn around the neck or wrist with an object attached. Perhaps the most common use for a lanyard is to have a small plastic pouch containing an employee or visitor’s ID attached to it. They are now an everyday sight at many workplaces and are often required wearing for employees. While that may be a very common use for lanyards, it is by no means the only use.
 Originally, lanyards were used by the military. They were styled from corded rope and worn across the shoulder where they usually held either a gun or a sword. The original intention was to enable a soldier or officer to keep hold of his weapon in situations where it was likely it could be easily lost, such as at sea, or by cavalry soldiers although they have since become a more decorative part of military uniforms, often denoting rank or regiment. Today lanyards are often used for the same purpose. Electronic items are getting smaller than ever, and are used increasingly more especially in the workplace. Thus, it is not uncommon to see people keeping track of their USB drives and other small devices by attaching them to a lanyard and hanging them from their neck. Another item that seems to frequently be misplaced are keys, thus key lanyards are also commonly used these days especially in situations where doors are constantly being locked and unlocked such as at pools and gyms. Security access cards, which oftentimes double as ID cards, are also often worn on security lanyards.
In situations where employees work around machinery, yet are required to show their ID or wear other lanyards, safety lanyards are usually the type of lanyard that is chosen. These lanyards, often also referred to as breakaway lanyards, are specially made so that the lanyard will come off easily should the lanyard become entangled in any machinery. Usually they are fastened at the back with Velcro which stays securely shut under normal everyday use, but that will snap open should the lanyard become tangled up in heavy machinery.
Another popular use for lanyards is to use them as promotional items at trade fairs, factory tours, and on other business orientation occasions. There are many suppliers who offer to make promotional lanyards for customers, and while these do cost a little extra and take time to design and produce, they offer great opportunities for future promotion and advertising. Commonly, promotional lanyards are printed on polyester material. Almost anything can be printed onto the lanyard although companies usually either print their logo and their company name or just the company name. These promotional lanyards are also often used by charities to help promote their cause. They also accompany equipment that is sold, such as cameras, where they are printed with the name brand of the equipment.
Blank lanyards can be bought in most office supply stores, such as Office Depot and they are often found in the sports section of stores. You can buy a single lanyard or you can buy a whole box of cheap lanyards in these stores. They are also very easy to purchase online either singly or in bulk. Regular lanyards are not very expensive to buy and of course, the cost goes down when these items are bought in bulk. Promotional lanyards that are printed with a company logo or slogan are usually quite a bit more expensive, especially if they are to be used by employees on a regular basis, however for promotional use they are much cheaper than many other forms of advertising.
With lanyards now being required wearing for many employees, there is a large market for them. Retailers are offering not only standard lanyards but also customized lanyards as well. Cheap lanyards are readily available at most office supply stores as well as at sports stores, and they are easily bought online via different retail outlets such as Office Depot for example. However, if you need custom printed lanyards you will need to find a special supplier who deals with this type of customization.
If you are looking for cheap lanyards such as lanyard key chains or lanyards that can have a small plastic ID pouch attached, these are very easy to locate. Typically, the cheap lanyard keychain or ID lanyard can be found online at any number of office supply stores. A pack of ten, single colored cheap lanyards can be bought online from Office Depot for as little as $7.49. Esportsonline offers twelve single color lanyards for around the same price. There are other retailers offering similar deals. If you are looking for something a little different such as a themed style of lanyard that young teens would like to wear, the price is naturally a little higher and they are normally found at online malls or in regular malls and shops in the hobby section or the toy section.
When looking for custom printed lanyards such as those used for promotional purposes at trade fairs for example, you may need to locate a retailer that deals specifically with this type of item. Companies that specialize in producing items that are used for advertising commonly handle customizing lanyards. These companies usually also sell banners, key chains, signs and decals. There are two different styles of custom lanyards that can be personalized. Custom printed lanyards, while more expensive than the regular blank lanyard, are considerably cheaper than woven lanyards. With custom printed lanyards the advertising or promotional message or logo is simply printed onto the lanyard. With the woven lanyard, the custom printing is actually woven into the usually thicker lanyard itself so it will not rub off over time.
 Some people may have need of a more specialized lanyard such as a retractable lanyard. These are often found in shops that specifically sell lanyards, badges, key rings and keychain supplies. A retractable lanyard is useful for those who have to swipe their ID through an ID machine. Being able to pull your ID out from the lanyard is certainly much easier than having to bend down over a machine or to take the lanyard off entirely.
The easiest place to research lanyards is online as you can find any kind of lanyard you need and it is very easy to compare prices between retailers. It is also very easy to locate an online store that sells specialized lanyards, such as customized lanyards or retractable ones. If you are buying bulk lanyards online it is a good idea to check out the stores options for free shipping, as many stores offer free shipping for orders over a certain price. You can easily order your custom printed lanyards online as well, as most stores offering these services make it easy for you to specify what you would like printed on or woven into your lanyard.
In many cases, especially if buying in bulk, you may find cheaper prices even for regular lanyards online than you will find at a store and you can usually have them delivered to your door or your office at no additional cost. It is also very easy to re-order whenever needed once you have an account with an online retailer.
Lanyards, simply described, are a way of securing small items to the body, to avoid misplacing or dropping them. A lanyard is generally a woven extension of string or other material that most often is secured about the neck or wrist on one end, and to the small items in question on the other.
Among their many uses, lanyards are popular for holding keys, nametags or identification badges, cell phones, whistles, and countless other items. Depending on the intended item, and the intended style, each lanyard will likely have small variances. For instance, a lanyard keychain will hold a key ring, while a badge lanyard will feature a plastic housing in which the badge or identification will be carried.
 Although multiple types and styles of lanyards are available to be purchased, including generic designs and personalized ones, the best way to find personalized lanyards is by creating them yourself, and because of the multiple materials and styles that lanyards can come in, the amount and variety of designs available to you is limited only to your imagination.
You will always have the option of purchasing cheap lanyards at any corner store; with a homemade lanyard however, it is no longer just an unimportant and easily replaceable accessory, it is a one-of-a-kind designer item. Suddenly, custom lanyards can make a unique and heartfelt gift that is also inexpensive and relatively easy to construct. Consider the following ideas and tips for making your very own personalized lanyards:
For a standard lanyard for around the neck or wrist, you can use multiple types of material. Consider using craft lace, which is a plastic material that is flexible and durable, and available in multiple colors, or friendship bracelet string. Choose colors that you think would go nicely together, and then begin to weave. With three strands, a simple braid pattern is an easy option for starters, and with fours strands, use a simple weave similar to one that would be used for a friendship bracelet.
To Braid:
-Attach and secure the strands on one end with a knot, tape, or both-
-Separate the three strands so that they fan out from the knot at the top-
-Grip the right hand strand and pass it over the center strand, so that it is now in between the others-
-Grip the left hand strand and pass it over the new center strand (formerly the right hand strand)-
-Continue this process from right to left, and watch the braid begin to form
More complicated weaves are hard to describe without pictures or demonstrations, but if you are interested in interesting and challenging weaving patterns for lanyards, consider visiting the following site, which offers step-by-step instructions, along with photographs illustrating each step: http://www.bluemoon.net/~dotoran/
 Once you have reached the desired length for your lanyard, consider what it will be used for. If you want to hold keys, then work a simple and inexpensive key ring onto the lanyard, by bringing it to the middle of the cord and tying a knot to keep it in place. For a more attractive securing feature, run both end of the cord through a bead, to punctuate and keep the ring in place without a knot.
You can use this key ring for other types of lanyard as well. Attach a small hook or clip to the ring, which can be used to attach name cards, carabineers, and countless other small items. Secure the loose ends of the woven cord with a simple knot or with a clasp. Clasps, beads, and key rings can all be purchased in bulk at arts and crafts or beading stores.
For a classier design of lanyard, ideal for holding eyeglasses or other delicate items, consider constructing beaded lanyards. The possibilities for patterns, textures, and designs are limitless, and the supplies can be purchased at the same location where you would buy the other necessary accessories for making homemade lanyards.
If you do not achieve the result that you want immediately, remember that practice makes perfect, and as with any skill, it may take a few attempts to create the perfect lanyard. Enjoy the creative process, and watching your own designs come to life.
Lanyards are everyday objects that have a plethora of uses, some commonly known and others more obscure. Lanyards are often used as straps to secure important documents and identification cards, such as security cards, ID cards and sets of keys.
While key chains accomplish the basic task of organizing keys, a lanyard goes a step further by allowing you to keep your keys ready thanks to a hands-free cord that is worn like a necklace. Lanyards are so popular as additions to key chains that many are sold with specific logos, such as University names and sports team monikers, which attract consumers who want to keep a reminder of their alma mater or a favorite team at hand.
Lanyards can also be imprinted for promotional purposes for businesses of all sizes; as one of the rules of effective advertising is widespread exposure, giving away lanyards printed with your corporate logo can be an inexpensive supplementary form of advertising.
While lanyards are such diminutive objects that most people do not even notice when they have one in use, they are also quite ubiquitous. Any promotional item or identification card, in use at a place of work or a conference of some sort, can be combined with a lanyard to be made more accessible to its user. Especially for people who have an unreliable short-term memory, the lanyard is an essential mini-accessory that keeps some of your most important items close without unnecessary worry.
Nylon lanyards are a resilient and attractive option, as they can withstand considerable use and come in a variety of vibrant colors. People with a flair for fashion and an appreciation of detail will enjoy beaded lanyards, which upgrade the basic form by adding a beautiful twist.
 A retractable lanyard is the perfect choice for people who want extra security for their possessions but do not want the lanyard to catch on objects, for example, when the lanyard is attached to a keychain that is stored in a purse. Retractable lanyards are not only used for keys and cards, but for other tools to be kept readily available, including whistles, pens and digital media.
Breakaway lanyards are an incredibly useful variation on the standard form. As a breakaway lanyard makes it easier to remove objects when they need to be transferred, it is ideal for people working in fields where safety is a first priority. If you work in proximity to powerful machines, such as factor or construction equipment, the use of a breakaway lanyard can literally save your neck in the event of objects getting caught on a moving part.
Safety lanyards can also be imprinted with corporate and promotional logos as with any other style. Because lanyards are so versatile, their varying functions can also be combined depending on whether they will be used in a work or advertising capacity. An id lanyard with breakaway capabilities is an essential item for any workplace, while a retractable nylon lanyard is a great way to secure promotional items, such as complimentary USB drives or other products.
 Simple lanyards can be customized as an arts and crafts project work children, giving them the opportunity to express their creativity to upgrade an accessory they will use on a daily basis. Lanyards can be purchased in bulk online, whether you choose to stock up on standard, imprinted, or more elaborate versions of this everyday staple. A lanyard is also a thoughtful gift, especially for students going away to college who will have their own set of keys and ID cards to organize for the first time. Lanyards of all sorts are a great gift, the accessory that everyone can use.
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