With so many careers requiring the wearing of lanyards for ID badges these days, people have taken it upon themselves to personalize them.
From tie-dye to beads, lace to sports logos, you name it, someone has used it to customize a lanyard. And the biggest source to see this kind of creativity in action is on Pinterest. A hotbed of clever crafting, Pinterest is full of great personalized lanyard designs. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best versions with 51 examples to inspire your own lanyard look.
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Sort of like quilting but in miniature, this lanyard uses old bits of fabric to form a necklace and is secured by a swivel hook you can purchase in the notions section of most fabric stores.
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Who doesn’t love a monogram? Give your lanyard a name like no other — your own — by starting up the embroidery function on your sewing machine. You can write in your name, initials, slogan, or favorite verse. Whatever speaks to you.
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We’ve been hearing “reduce, reuse, recycle” since we were kids. Now you can put those words into action by repurposing old measuring tables into a fashionable and fun lanyard.
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Remember the hours you spent at camp learning to make friendship bracelets? If you can reach back into the recesses of your mind to recall those braiding techniques, then you can make one heck of a cool lanyard as illustrated in this Pinterest tutorial.
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Have a classroom of observant first graders you’re looking to impress? Teachers will love this DIY stacked book and apple beaded lanyard.
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You don’t have to have an embroidery machine to personalize your lanyard with your name. Alphabet beads can work the same and add a playful pop of color.
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Give a work- or school-issued lanyard a personalized psychedelic edge with the classic tie dye look.
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You might be amazed to discover how heat transfer vinyl can make a DIY lanyard look like a professionally screen printed product.
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You know what makes an easy and attractive lanyard? Beautiful ribbon.
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Using the age old traditions of macrame and hemp, you can braid or knot unique designs into a lanyard.
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Humans have been using shells to decorate things since practically the dawn of time. And lanyards are no different. Give yours a beachy feel with some small shells.
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Leather naturally elevates looks to appear more sophisticated. Take the utilitarian lanyard and dress it up with a little leather.
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Turn your lanyard into a hidey hole. By including a tube of leather at the base, you can conceal important objects like keys while still keeping them handy.
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While most lanyards are designed to hold an ID badge, you can make your name unforgettable by including a personalized bead above it.
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Since lanyards are a close cousin to the necklace, why not make yours as stylish as a piece of jewelry? This lanyard dresses things up with a tassel.
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Want to really wow your co-workers? Cut the lights on the break room one day and glow-off with this glow-in-the-dark lanyard.
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If your faith is a big part of your life, express that with a cross or star of David lanyard.
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Show your love for your country by dressing your lanyard up in red, white and blue. This lanyard uses beads to pay homage to the good old U.S. of A.
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Pretty much always wish you were fishing? Wear your angler pride by making your own DIY lanyard in camo paracord and barrel swivel clips.
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Knitting needles aren’t just for blankets and sweaters anymore. Grab some yarn and knit yourself a lanyard.
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Does Grandma need something to do? Give her a project by asking her to crochet you a new lanyard.
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The grand tradition of rag rugs used bits of saved fabric to fashion full floor rugs. Apply the same concept to a lanyard by saving bits and bobs of fabric and tying them together.
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Always need a pen and can never find one? Never again with this clever paracord knot pen holder lanyard that keeps your writing utensil at hand at all times.
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For anyone with a survivalist mindset, having a Swiss Army knife handy is a must. So put one on a do it yourself lanyard.
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A hunter’s best friend, this DIY lanyard carries multiple calls so you can attract whatever fowl you’re after.
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Keep your kids’ masks straight with personalized mask lanyards labeled with their names. As a bonus, these lanyards help keep masks off dirty surfaces by hanging them up when not in use.
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Like ribbon, lace makes a gorgeous lanyard option and is a far cry from the typical styles available in bulk.
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Remember using plastic lacing to make box stitch bracelets? Well, that super sturdy material is a great alternative to cord when you’re looking to make your own lanyard that will hold up to the elements.
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Easier than paint but with the same colorful look, splash some bleach on your work lanyard to add a little flair.
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By using weaving techniques in addition to seed beads, you can build a thick lanyard that has the weight needed to stay in place.
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Repurpose an old bandana by turning it into a lanyard. Simply fold it up and sew it to the width you prefer.
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Avid quilters can showcase their work every day with a quilted lanyard.
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Skip the lanyard fixture all together with this Do It Yourself name tag sewn from a measuring tape.
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If your snack attacks extend beyond cravings to an obsession, make it into a lanyard. Using old Snickers bar (or any candy) wrappers, you can craft a sweet accessory.
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Say the word “lanyard” and ID badges are most likely to come to mind. But the hanging necklaces can do so much more, like hold a tailor’s sewing tools.
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Nautical knots need not only be on ships. Make your seafaring hobby known with a nautical knotted lanyard.
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While there are many lanyard ID badge holders on the market, if you’re looking to extend your pattern for a cohesive badge, make your own holder to match.
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You don’t have to own a sewing machine to customize a lanyard, not when there are charms to attach. Find a charm that represents you and tack it on your lanyard for easy personalization.
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Measuring tapes are a go to craft item that we’ve mentioned a few times here, but this one actually employs them as the lanyard fabric for measuring use. How long is something? Check with your lanyard.
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A quick customization that anyone can do to a lanyard is an iron-on applique. This one features a charming pink flamingo.
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Love a bolo tie? Take that concept and translate it into a lanyard decorated with discarded buttons.
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Still have leftover buttons? Use them to build the lanyard string itself by attaching them together.
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A quick fix to a basic lanyard is adding a little safety pin flair. Found that boy band button from high school that you love? Attach it to your lanyard! Have a vintage Kennedy for President button? Pop it on your lanyard.
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Intricate beadwork can make a lanyard look like a formal piece of jewelry. Use a free online pattern to bead your own.
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Love the beaded look but hate the way those seed beads feel on your neck? Use a plastic chain for the back part of the lanyard to make it more comfortable.
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Safety pins have been used to produce jewelry since their invention. In this tutorial it describes how to use them to make a bracelet, but with a little imagination, you could use the same technique to craft a colorful lanyard.
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Are you a cyclist with a little extra bike chain on your hands? Turn that roller chain into a sweet looking lanyard with some pliers and a little creativity.
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Want somegive in your lanyard? Add some stretch with elastic to allow you to pull an ID badge, keys, or any other item connected to it.
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Show ‘em who’s the boss with an embossed leather lanyard engraved with your initials.
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Sick of carrying your kiddo’s Legos in your pocket or purse? Make them a DIY Lego lanyard pouch, a perfect spot to store their favorite toy.
For more lanyard ideas you don’t have to design yourself, visit Specialist ID.