What attachments can you have on your lanyard?

Lanyards are a great solution for businesses looking to improve their security and safety for their employees, and to purchase a cost-effective promotional tool. However, they are also ideal for members of the public that are looking for an easy way to carry and not lose everyday items. The versatility of a lanyard is why they are so popular around the world.

Because of this, the attachments you can purchase for a lanyard have to reflect this versatility whilst providing a practical solution to hold a variety of lanyard accessories.

In this blog post, we have a basic guide to tell you what attachments you can have on your lanyard and help you decide what is going to work best for you.

Clips and attachments

If you are ordering lanyards for staff or an event, especially if you have ordered personalised lanyards, then you need to choose the clip that will attach any chosen accessory such as a badge reel, or badge holder to your lanyard. There are lots of types of clips for purchase, but we have listed below the most popular ones you are likely to come across.

• Metal Trigger Clip – the standard attachment, a small metal loop with a trigger mechanism.
• Plastic Trigger Clip – if you want a standard clip but have an allergy to certain metals, the plastic version is a suitable alternative.
• Dog Clip/ Swivel J Hook – this is like a smaller version of a carabiner, a small metal loop with a spring-loaded gate that you pinch open.
• Crocodile Clip – Possibly the most well-known of the clips, it may give you flashbacks of school, a sprung metal clip with teeth.
• Flat Metal Hook – Similar to a dog clip, with a pinch open mechanism, but the metal loop is larger and flatter with no overlap and more like the versions used in climbing. Although obviously much smaller!
• Split Ring – A split ring is a strip of metal looped almost twice around, most commonly used for keyrings.
• Lobster Claw – Also known as an oval hook, there is no overlap, and the metal meets together at the joint with the pinch mechanism. This is shaped like a lobster’s claw, hence the name!
• Carabiner clip – Similar to the metal trigger clip, but with a pin and spring-loaded mechanism.
• Quick release/short release clip – This added accessory allows you to release the clip at the bottom of a lanyard.
• Safety break – Perhaps the most important of all the attachments, the safety break is positioned at the back of the neck, although it can be placed elsewhere. This is a vitally important addition to your lanyard, especially if it is going to be used by children or vulnerable adults. This ensures that if the lanyard gets caught on or around something, it will snap off without injury. Most companies apply these as standard, however, they can be purchased without, although that is something that we would not recommend.

Most companies will offer some of these at no extra cost or as part of the initial lanyard quote, for example, here at Only Lanyards, we offer the options below at no extra cost.

• Japan Hook
• Split Ring
• Swivel J Hook (Dog Clip)
• Plastic or Metal Crocodile Clip
• Plastic Trigger Clip
• Plastic Hook
• Oval Hook (Lobster Claw)
• Mobile Phone String or Detachable Release

If you want to combine more than one clip on one lanyard, then there would be an additional cost, so it is best to discuss with your lanyard provider at the quote stage what the full price would be to add different clips to your lanyards.

What attachment should I choose?

Your attachment should reflect your purpose and the accessories you are most likely going to want to attach to your lanyard.

• Metal trigger clips are often the standard attachment on lanyards; however, it usually depends on the purpose of your lanyard. If you are purchasing your lanyard for ID badges or passes, then you need to choose a clip that is secure, so trigger clips and hook clips are best used for this purpose. As to which one is the most suitable, is entirely dependent on your budget and aesthetic preference.
• If you are buying a lanyard(s) for the purpose of carrying heavier objects, such as promotional or personal items, especially mobile phones, then a carabiner-type clip should be your attachment of choice. Often used in climbing, they are sturdy and are less likely to snap from the weight.
• The Split Ring attachment is most used for keyrings and keys, as extras can be easily added or taken off whilst keeping your items secure.
• Having a Quick Release or Short Release Clip enables you to release the clip at the bottom of the lanyard - especially useful for keys, door passes and any other item that you may need to remove quickly and easily. It also aesthetically enhances the appearance of the lanyard as well, for a small extra cost. Available in plastic, metal, or a combination of the two.

If you have any questions about lanyard attachments or what accessories you need to purchase then please get in touch with one of our wonderful team. As satisfied customers are our priority, we have built up a great team of experienced people to provide exceptional service throughout your lanyard purchase and that is part of what separates us from the rest. So, if you’re interested in purchasing lanyards, attachments or accessories or want a personalised lanyard – all with excellent service at a great price, then call our sales team on 01765 233 144 or email hello@onlylanyards.com