Custom Medallions and Beads vs Lanyards and ID Badge Holders: Which Should You Print?

Lanyards and ID badge holders are the better choice when you need functional identification and all-day wear stability, while medallions and beads are the better choice for photo-friendly crowd visibility and festival-style “wear it now” giveaways.

Above-the-fold links to shop:

• Medallions and Beads
• Lanyards and ID Badge Holders

Quick comparison table

Choose Medallions and Beads if…

• You want instant “wear it now” adoption without a check-in process.
• Your goal is photo-forward visibility in crowds and attendee selfies.
• The event is high-energy and casual (street festivals, pep rallies, sponsor activations) within Events & Festivals.
• Your design can be simplified to one bold logo mark and minimal supporting text.

Shop Medallions and Beads

Numeric qualifiers that change the recommendation (Medallions & Beads):

• If you’re distributing in the hundreds to thousands, “slip-on wearables” typically outperform check-in-dependent items for speed and adoption.
• If you want the imprint to read in motion from roughly 2–6 feet, keep artwork logo-first and avoid small text.

Choose Lanyards and ID Badge Holders if…

• You need functional credentials (entry, access, staff/volunteer identification, exhibitor badges).
• You are running a registration/check-in flow and can issue items in an organized way.
• The event requires all-day wear stability and “hands-free” badge presentation.
• You need detailed information (names, roles, QR codes, schedules) which belongs on a badge insert—not on a small pendant surface.

Shop Lanyards and ID Badge Holders

Numeric qualifiers that change the recommendation (Lanyards & badges):

• If most attendees must present credentials multiple times per day (entry points, breakout rooms, exhibitor areas), lanyards materially reduce friction.
• If you must print names/roles at readable size, plan the badge layout first and let the lanyard carry repeating brand identity.

Best use cases (where the winner changes due to constraints)

• Trade shows and conferences (badges required): Lanyards & ID Badge Holders
• Pair with Trade Show Table Covers for booth consistency.
• Secure venues (credential checks): Lanyards & ID Badge Holders
• Constraint: access control and repeated badge display.
• Street festivals / parades / crowd photos: Medallions & Beads
• Constraint: fast adoption and photo visibility.
• Volunteer teams where roles must be readable: Lanyards (badge text) or buttons (chest text)
• If you need quick role clarity without check-in complexity, compare with Custom Buttons.
• Wayfinding and on-site navigation-heavy events: Lanyards + signage
• Support operations with Yard Signs.
• Hot outdoor events where utility increases retention: Medallions & Beads + comfort add-on
• Pair with Custom Hand Fans for real on-site value.

Branding & imprint considerations (design rules by format)

Medallions & Beads: design for distance and motion

• Treat the medallion face like a mini sign:
• one dominant mark
• high contrast
• minimal copy
• Avoid tiny text and thin lines; they disappear in moving crowds and casual photos.
• For deeper sizing and artwork constraints, use: Medallions and Beads Buyer’s Guide 

Lanyards & badges: split “branding” and “information”

• Put branding on the lanyard as repeating identity.
• Put information on the badge (name, role, QR, schedule blocks) so it can be read at arm’s length.
• If your lanyard branding must be recognizable quickly, use:
• strong contrast
• short brand mark
• repeat pattern with adequate spacing (avoid dense micro-elements)

Operational factors (check-in, staffing, and inventory)

Check-in complexity

• Lanyards & badges require a system: distribution points, pre-sorted bundles, and a plan for late arrivals and replacements.
• Medallions & beads scale best when staff can hand them out continuously without stopping the flow.

Inventory control

• Lanyards are easier to count and pack; hardware adds a “parts management” step.
• Bead strands can tangle; pre-staging into small bundles reduces staffing friction.

Day-of risk profile

• If your environment discourages dangling items (machinery, active sports, safety policies), lanyards with appropriate safety features are often easier to manage than purely decorative wearables.

How to choose between Medallions & Beads and Lanyards & ID Badge Holders (fast checklist)

1. If you need credentials and access control, choose lanyards and badges.
2. If you need crowd-wide wearable visibility, choose medallions and beads.
3. If you need detailed text, put it on a badge insert (or use buttons for chest-level text).
4. Confirm distribution reality: check-in flow favors lanyards; continuous handout favors medallions.
5. If you need a more formal recognition item, compare alternatives like medals or coins in the related comparisons below.

FAQs

Which option is better for conferences and trade shows?

Lanyards and ID badge holders are better for conferences because they support credentials, access checks, and readable attendee information.

Which option shows up better in crowd photos?

Medallions and beads show up better in crowd photos because they create a large, obvious wearable element on the torso.

If I need names and roles printed, what should I choose?

Choose lanyards and badge holders (or buttons for chest text) so names and roles can be printed at a readable size and presented consistently.

What if I want both function and festival energy?

Use lanyards for staff/exhibitors and medallions and beads for attendee giveaways. This separates operational credentials from crowd hype.

Which is faster to distribute at scale?

Medallions and beads are faster for mass handouts because guests can put them on without check-in steps.

What’s the best companion product for booth operations?

Trade show table covers improve booth cohesion and professionalism when you’re already using badges and lanyards: see Trade Show Table Covers.

Where should I start if I’m unsure about medallion sizing and artwork limits?

Start with the Medallions and Beads buyer guide to match event type, wear behavior, and print constraints: