Three years ago, I helped organize a tech conference at Dubai Internet City with 850 attendees. We ordered cheap lanyards from a supplier who promised "premium quality" at contact us for pricing.50 each. By lunch on day one, we'd had 23 lanyards snap completely. People were holding their badges in their hands, stuffing them in pockets, or safety-pinning them to shirts.
Embarrassing? Absolutely. The sponsor whose logo was on those lanyards wasn't thrilled either. We reordered from a different supplier overnight - spent contact us for pricing for rush production when we could have spent contact us for pricing doing it right the first time.
Here's what I've learned since then about event badges and lanyards - the stuff suppliers don't tell you because they want the sale.
Badge Types: What Actually Exists
Let's start with badges because you've got more options than you think.
1. Paper Insert Badges with Plastic Holders
This is what 70% of conferences use. You print the badge info on paper or cardstock, slide it into a clear plastic holder, attach to lanyard. Simple, cheap, works fine.
Sizes available:
- Standard vertical: 54mm x 86mm (credit card size) - works for names and job titles
- Large vertical: 105mm x 148mm (A6 size) - our most popular for UAE events, room for Arabic names
- Horizontal: 100mm x 70mm - good for first-name-only casual events
- Jumbo: 120mm x 180mm - conferences where you need to see names from 3 meters away
The plastic holders cost contact us for pricing.80-1.50 each depending on quality. The ones under contact us for pricing.00? The plastic cracks easily. Spend the extra 50 fils.
2. Printed PVC Badges
These are printed directly onto plastic cards - like credit cards but with your event branding. They look premium, feel substantial, and people actually keep them as souvenirs.
Standard size: 54mm x 86mm (CR80 - credit card size)
Cost: contact us for pricing.80-4.20 per badge depending on quantity. Minimum order usually 100 pieces. Production time is 3-4 working days, so plan ahead.
These work great for multi-day conferences, VIP passes, or events where you want a premium feel. We printed 300 for a real estate expo last year - half the attendees still had them in their wallets six months later. That's brand exposure you can't buy with paper badges.
3. Fabric/Woven Badges
Honestly? We rarely recommend these unless you're doing something very specific like sports events or outdoor activities where durability is critical. They cost more (contact us for pricing each), take longer to produce (7-10 days), and don't look professional for corporate events.
4. Thermal Printed Badges (On-Site Printing)
If you're doing on-site registration, you need a thermal badge printer. These print names on-demand as people check in.
Equipment rental: contact us for pricing for 3 days
Thermal badge stock: contact us for pricing per roll of 500 badges
Staff training required: 30 minutes
This is essential for events with online registration where you don't know final attendee names until day-of. We use Zebra ZD410 printers - reliable, fast, and the badge stock is widely available in Dubai.
The Registration Desk Reality
At a healthcare conference last October, we set up two registration desks at Emirates Towers. Desk A had thermal printers ready to go. Desk B had pre-printed badges in alphabetical boxes. Desk A processed 380 people before 9:00 AM. Desk B was still sorting through boxes at 9:45 AM with a queue of frustrated attendees. Thermal printing looks expensive until you factor in the staff time savings and better attendee experience.
Lanyard Materials: The Truth About Quality
This is where most people get it wrong. All lanyards look the same in photos. They're not the same in your hands after 8 hours at an event.
Polyester Lanyards (Standard)
This is what 90% of events use. Woven polyester with your logo printed or woven into the fabric.
Width options:
- 10mm: Too thin, feels cheap, only suitable for lightweight badge holders
- 15mm: Minimum acceptable quality for professional events
- 20mm: Standard - this is the sweet spot for comfort and durability
- 25mm: Premium feel, best for VIP or sponsor lanyards
Standard length: 90cm total (45cm from neck to badge when worn)
Material thickness matters more than you think. Budget lanyards use thin polyester that twists and tangles. Quality lanyards use thicker weave that lays flat. The difference in material cost? About contact us for pricing.40 per lanyard. The difference in how it looks on 500 people? Huge.
Tubular Lanyards
These are woven as a tube (hollow inside) rather than flat. They're softer, don't twist, and feel nicer around your neck during long events.
Cost premium: contact us for pricing.60-0.90 more per lanyard versus flat polyester
Worth it for full-day conferences (6+ hours) where comfort matters. Not worth it for 2-hour product launches where people remove lanyards after 20 minutes.
Eco-Friendly Lanyards (Bamboo/Recycled)
Made from bamboo fiber or recycled plastic bottles. They look and feel similar to polyester but you can market them as sustainable.
Cost: contact us for pricing.20-4.50 per lanyard
Minimum order: Usually 500 pieces
Lead time: 10-12 working days (mostly imported from China)
These work if sustainability is part of your event brand. We printed 600 for a green energy conference - the organizer mentioned the eco-lanyards in three different presentations. Good PR value if your audience cares about that stuff.
Silicone/Rubber Lanyards
Flexible rubber material, waterproof, easy to clean. Great for outdoor events, sports, beach activities. Terrible for corporate conferences - they look too casual.
Printing Methods: What You Need to Know
Your logo can go on a lanyard three different ways:
Screen Printing
Ink is pushed through a screen onto the lanyard surface. This is the cheapest method.
Pros:
- Lowest cost - adds contact us for pricing.50-0.80 per lanyard
- Fast turnaround - can be done in 2-3 days
- Bright, solid colors
Cons:
- Limited to 1-2 colors (each color costs extra)
- Logo detail gets lost - fine lines blur
- Ink can crack over time if lanyard flexes a lot
Best for: Simple logos, single color, budget-conscious events
Dye Sublimation
Ink is heat-transferred into the fabric fibers. This creates a permanent, full-color print that won't peel or crack.
Pros:
- Full-color printing - unlimited colors at same price
- Photos, gradients, complex logos all work
- Print won't fade or peel
- Can print on both sides
Cons:
- More expensive - contact us for pricing.20-1.80 per lanyard printing cost
- Longer production - 5-7 days minimum
- Colors slightly less vibrant than screen printing
Best for: Multi-color logos, premium events, photo-heavy designs
Woven (Jacquard)
Your logo is actually woven into the lanyard fabric rather than printed on top. This is the most premium option.
Pros:
- Extremely durable - will never peel or fade
- Premium look and feel
- Both sides show the design
Cons:
- Most expensive - contact us for pricing.50-3.50 per lanyard
- Longest production time - 12-15 days
- Limited color options (usually 2-3 colors max)
- Minimum orders are higher (usually 500+ pieces)
Best for: Brand launches, executive events, lanyards you'll reuse for multiple events
What We Use for Our Own Events
For Branding Blitz's own trade show appearances, we use 20mm tubular polyester lanyards with dye-sublimation printing. Total cost: contact us for pricing.20 per lanyard for 300 pieces. We've reused them for 6 different exhibitions over two years. Cost per use: contact us for pricing.70. That's cheaper than buying budget lanyards every time while looking way more professional.
Lanyard Attachments: The Little Things That Matter
Nobody thinks about this until a badge falls off and gets stepped on.
Common Attachment Types
- J-Hook (Swivel): Metal hook that clips to badge holder slot. Most common. Works 95% of the time. Cost: contact us for pricing.20-0.35 each
- Lobster Clip: Spring-loaded clip like on a keychain. More secure than J-hook but bulkier. Cost: contact us for pricing.40-0.55 each
- Bulldog Clip: Alligator-style clip that grips the badge. Best for badges without slots. Cost: contact us for pricing.30-0.45 each
- Badge Reel: Retractable cord that extends when you need to scan badge. Essential for access-controlled events. Cost: contact us for pricing.80-2.40 each
Pro tip: Order 10% extra attachments. They get lost, break, or people take them home by mistake. Having spares saves you stress on event day.
Safety Breakaway Feature
This is a safety release that breaks apart if the lanyard gets caught on something. Required by law for some industries (schools, healthcare) and smart for any crowded event.
Cost add-on: contact us for pricing.35-0.50 per lanyard
We recommend it for any event with kids, elderly attendees, or crowded venues where people might get jostled. It's cheap insurance against someone getting hurt.
Bulk Pricing: Real Numbers for Dubai
Here's what you'll actually pay for complete badge and lanyard sets:
| Quantity | Basic Package | Standard Package | Premium Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.50/set) | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.20/set) | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.80/set) |
| 250 | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.00/set) | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.50/set) | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.50/set) |
| 500 | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.70/set) | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.00/set) | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.70/set) |
| 1,000 | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.40/set) | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.60/set) | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.20/set) |
| 2,000 | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.20/set) | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.30/set) | contact us for pricing (contact us for pricing.70/set) |
Basic Package: 15mm polyester lanyard (screen print 1-color), paper badge in basic plastic holder, J-hook attachment
Standard Package: 20mm polyester lanyard (dye-sub full-color), paper badge in quality plastic holder, swivel J-hook attachment
Premium Package: 20mm tubular lanyard (dye-sub full-color both sides), PVC printed badge, lobster clip attachment, safety breakaway
Add contact us for pricing for design services if you need help with badge layout and lanyard artwork.
Badge Design Tips That Actually Matter
I've seen thousands of badge designs. Here's what works:
Typography Rules
- Name font size: Minimum 36pt for first name, 24pt for last name - needs to be readable from 2 meters away
- Company/title: 16-20pt is fine, people get closer to read this anyway
- Font choice: Sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Poppins) read better than serif fonts at badge sizes
- Bold names: Always. Non-bold text disappears under venue lighting
Color Contrast
Dark text on light background or light text on dark background. Seems obvious, but we've rejected 30+ designs where clients used gray text on white or yellow text on orange. It looks fine on computer screens - terrible on printed badges under artificial lighting.
Information Hierarchy
What people need to see in order:
- First name (biggest)
- Last name (still large)
- Company name (medium)
- Job title (smaller)
- Event logo (top corner)
- Sponsor logos (bottom, if required)
Attendee type or access level should be color-coded, not text-based. Use different colored badge holders or colored stripes for VIP, Speaker, Attendee, Press, etc. Security staff can identify people instantly from 5 meters away.
The QR Code Decision
Should you put QR codes on badges? Depends on your event tech:
Include QR codes if:
- You're using digital check-in/out tracking
- You have session attendance tracking
- You're doing lead scanning at exhibitor booths
- You want contactless business card exchange
Skip QR codes if:
- You have no scanning infrastructure
- It's a small event (under 150 people)
- You just want them for "looking tech-forward" (people will notice they don't actually do anything)
QR code minimum size for reliable scanning: 20mm x 20mm. Anything smaller and you'll have scanning failures.
Production Timeline: When to Order
This is critical - rush production costs you 40-60% more:
Ideal Timeline
- 4 weeks before event: Finalize badge design and lanyard artwork
- 3 weeks before: Place order for lanyards and badge holders
- 2 weeks before: Receive attendee list and finalize badge content
- 10 days before: Print badges (gives time for corrections)
- 3 days before: Assemble complete sets (badge + lanyard + attachment)
- 1 day before: Organize alphabetically and pack for venue delivery
Rush Timeline (We've Done This Too Many Times)
- 7 days before event: Order rush lanyards (screen print only available)
- 4 days before: Finalize badge design
- 2 days before: Print badges
- 1 day before: Assemble at venue if necessary
Rush fee: Add 50% to all quoted prices. And you have zero room for mistakes.
The Arabian Health Rush Order
January, a pharmaceutical company called us 5 days before Arab Health. They needed 420 badge sets and had been ghosted by another supplier. We pulled it off - worked until 1:00 AM two nights in a row. Total cost: contact us for pricing. What it should have cost with normal timeline: contact us for pricing. They paid contact us for pricing extra for waiting until the last minute. Don't be that company.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After producing badges for 80+ events, here are the failures I see repeatedly:
1. Forgetting About Arabic Names
If your event is in the UAE, you'll have attendees with Arabic names. Some names are 45+ characters long. Design your badge template with space for this, or you'll be frantically reformatting 200 badges the night before your event.
2. Ordering Exact Quantity
Always order 10-15% extra. People lose badges, damage them, or you get last-minute registrations. Extra lanyards cost contact us for pricing each. Re-running production costs contact us for pricing minimum plus rush fees.
3. Ignoring Badge Orientation
Horizontal badges flip over constantly when hanging from lanyards. Use vertical orientation unless you're providing badge reels or clips that hold badges flat against clothing.
4. Cheap Plastic Holders
Those contact us for pricing.60 badge holders crack when people clip them to pockets or bags. Spend contact us for pricing.20 for quality holders with reinforced clip holes. The difference over 500 badges? contact us for pricing. The difference in how many broken badges you're replacing at your registration desk? Massive.
5. Overlooking Printer Specifications
If you're printing badges yourself, check your printer's actual print area. Many designs we receive are 105mm x 148mm but clients' office printers can't print borderless at that size. Result: white margins that look amateur. Design within your printer's capabilities or use a print service.
Sustainability Options
More event organizers are asking about this. Here's what's actually available in Dubai:
Recyclable Paper Badges
Use cardstock from recycled paper. After events, collect badges in recycling bins. Provides clear environmental messaging.
Cost difference: None. Recycled cardstock costs same as virgin paper.
Environmental impact: Reduces paper waste by 60-70% if you actually collect and recycle them.
Reusable Badge Holders
Instead of disposable plastic, use premium rigid badge holders that attendees can keep and reuse. Works for corporate events where attendees are employees who'll attend multiple events.
Cost: contact us for pricing per holder versus contact us for pricing.20 for disposable
ROI: After 3-4 events if reused
Digital Badges
Some events are going fully digital - attendees show QR codes on phones instead of wearing physical badges. Works for small events (under 200 people) in venues with good mobile connectivity.
Challenges we've seen:
- Dead phone batteries by afternoon
- Poor mobile signal in some venues
- Older attendees struggle with technology
- Networking is harder (can't see who people are)
We recommend hybrid: digital check-in, but still print physical badges for wearing during event.
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