Promotional Merch & Brand Accessories — Wristbands, Lanyards, Pins & Charms

Common Questions

FAQ

What are the minimums and tooling costs?

Wristbands start at 500 pcs on paper and 100 pcs on fabric, lanyards at 100 pcs, enamel pins at 50 pcs with a one-off die charge, acrylic charms at 100 pcs, and coasters at 500 pcs. Die and mould charges are paid once and reused on reorders, so repeat runs of the same design drop noticeably in unit cost.

How much lead time does event merchandise need?

Plan around the slowest coded item. Wristbands need 7–10 working days once the data file is final, lanyards 8–12 because jacquard weaving sets up first, pins and charms 10–14 including plating, and coasters 5–8. Add freight. We suggest artwork locked at least four weeks before the event, with data files supplied as early as possible since numbering is generated after approval.

Can you supply the attendee data, or do you generate it?

Either. We can print a barcode or QR list you export from your ticketing platform, or generate sequential numbering or unique codes and return the mapping file after production so you can reconcile entries at the gate. For NFC and RFID, chip type, memory format and encoding must be agreed before the order, otherwise the band will not read on your existing equipment.

Enamel pins, rubber mouldings or acrylic charms — which to pick?

Enamel pins give the sharpest logo and a collector-grade feel, but need a die and plating, so cost falls steeply only above 300 pcs. Rubber or silicone mouldings handle layered colour and translucency with a softer surface, cheaper on complex shapes, and can carry hook-and-loop backing. Acrylic charms are the fastest route to full-colour artwork with no plating cost, and read well for fan merchandise. Pick by whether the item should look like jewellery, a tactical patch, or a printed collectible.

What goes wrong on event merchandise, and how is it avoided?

Almost always data and dates rather than the product. Numbering arrives after print approval and delays the run, or a chip is encoded in a format the reader rejects at the gate. On worn items the other failures are breakaway force set at the wrong level, nickel release on plated hardware for EU sales, and fabric colours shifting between lots on reorders. Fix it by supplying data early, testing one finished unit on your own reader, and keeping a colour standard on file for reorders.