The style, design or material used will vary depending on endpurpose of the lanyard. Lanyard materials include polyester, nylon, satin, silk, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), braided leather or braided paracord.
Common styles
· Polyester imprinted lanyards
· Nylon imprinted lanyards
· Tube imprinted lanyards
· Dyesublimated lanyards or fullcolour lanyards
· Accessory for electronics
A USB flash drive with a webbing lanyard that includes a safety breakaway feature – a predetermined and in this case reattachable segment (in black) meant to prevent strangulation when the lanyard is worn around the neck Lanyards are widely used with small electronic devices such as cameras, MP3 players and USB flash drives to prevent loss or dropping. Electronics designed to take a lanyard usually have a small throughhole built into a or edge of the case or anchored the frame of the device; the corresponding lanyard generally has a loop of thread on the end that is attached to that hole with a simple knot, usually a cow hitch. Some earphones incorporate the audio signal into the lanyard, meaning it doubles up as headphone cords as well. The Wii wrist strap is a form of lanyard, keeping the device attached to a player`s arm during the often vigorous movements involved in its use. branded lanyards
Badge or identification holder
Lanyards are commonly used to badges, tickets or ID cards for where security is required, such as businesses, corporations, hospitals, prisons, conventions, trade fairs, and backstage passes used in the entertainment industry. Such lanyards are often made of braided or woven fabric or split with a clip attached to the end. A plastic pouch or badge holder with at least one clear side is attached to the lanyard with the person's name badge or ID card. Occasionally, small items like business cards, pens or tools can be placed behind the badge for easy access. Lanyards can also be used as keychains, particularly in situations where keys can easily be lost, such as gyms, public pools and communal showers. In these cases, lanyards may be customized with the related name and/or logo of the event, business, or organisation. Lanyards can feature a variety of customisation techniques including screenprinting, Jacquard loom weaving, heat transfer, and offset printing.
Safety strap
Lanyards are also often attached to dead man's switches or "kill switches" on dangerous machinery, such as large industrial cutting or slicing machines; on vehicles, such as jetskis or trains; and on exercise treadmills, so that if the operator suddenly becomes incapacitated, their fall will pull on the lanyard attached to their wrist, which will then pull the switch to immediately stop the machine or vehicle. Some law enforcement officers and members of the military utilise specialised lanyards to keep sidearms from falling to the ground during missions. Many ID card straps have a built-in feature called the "breakaway" clasp. The detached cable is released when it is pulled or when pressure is applied. This will prevent choking and hanging. Tear-off lanyards are widely used in hospitals, clinics, schools, elderly homes and day care facilities.
Lineman lanyards
Lineman lanyards are used by lineman utility and other workers to prevent falls, although similar straps are also used recreationally by mountain climbers. This type of lanyard will have a section of heavyduty nylon strapping attached to a metal ring or carabiner which tightens around an attachment point. The strap may be a fixed length or adjustable, and will attach to the wearer to support them against a fixed object or pole.
Uniform accessories
Lanyards are still worn on uniforms as decorations similar to an aiguillette or fourragère. Among these are the Orange Lanyard in the Military William Order of the Netherlands and the German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship. A white lanyard has formed part of the uniform of Britain`s Royal Artillery (RA) since the end of the 19th century. Originally a simple cord carrying a fuse key, the braided and whitened lanyard became the recognised distinction of a Gunner. The distinction was extended to women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service attached to RA units during World War II. Certain battalions descended from the Durham Light Infantry wore green lanyards to denote their past links with the regiment, whose uniform had a dark green Facing colour from 1903 onwards. Royal Naval Rating wear a white lanyard when dressed in No 1 uniform, the origin of the lanyard was to carry a pouch of gunpowder for the cannon. Read more..