You’ll see wristbands at events ranging from small private parties to enormous raves. But while they’re popular, wristbands have their shortcomings. As a result, some organizers are now looking for an alternative to event wristbands. 

Custom Lanyard has many types of custom wristbands available for events of every size. But we also stock event wristband alternatives like lanyards and custom ID cards. We’ve worked with major brands like Meta and Google, but we’ve also helped many small organizations, too. 

If you are planning an event of any size, you can count on Custom Lanyard for all your needs. Let’s talk over your needs and we can give you a personalized recommendation. Or, read about the best replacements for wristbands below and place an order today! 

What’s the Point of Event Wristbands?

There are lots of moving parts in a successful event. Keeping track of thousands of ticket holders and keeping out gate-crashers while managing access to alcohol and VIP areas is a huge challenge. Event wristbands can make things a lot easier for everybody.

Here are just a few of the ways you can use wristbands for event management.

Access Control and Security

If you’re running an all-ages event, you have to make sure that everybody buying or consuming alcohol is of legal drinking age. If authorities see underage drinking, your event could get fined heavily or shut down and organizers could even get arrested. 

Event wristbands help you sort people by age. If you see a person with a teen wristband drinking, you can spot the drinker immediately and take care of the situation before it becomes a bigger problem. 

Attendee Identification

Spotting someone who walked into your event without paying can be difficult. But when every paying customer has an event wristband, finding the gate-crasher becomes much easier. Unlike ticket stubs, wristbands can be spotted at a glance and are much harder to lose. 

Durability and Convenience

The best wristbands for an event are inexpensive, comfortable, easy to attach, and tough enough to last throughout the event without falling off. This is why many event organizers use Tyvek and vinyl wristbands for attendee management. 

Tyvek is a light material that is easy to cut but very difficult to tear. Many promoters choose Tyvek for single-day events. Our custom Tyvek wristbands come in a variety of colors and can be personalized to fit your event.

Consider our custom vinyl wristbands for multi-day conventions or outdoor gatherings. They’re water-resistant and tough enough to withstand several days of wearing without tears or damage.

Common Events That Rely on Wristbands

Today you’ll see event wristbands at many events, including:

  • Music Festivals and Concerts
  • Sporting Events
  • Conferences and Conventions
  • Theme Parks and Amusement Parks
  • Food and Beverage Festivals
  • Nightclubs and Bars
  • Charity Walks and Races
  • School Events and Field Trips
  • Members Only Events

Situations Where You May Want an Alternative to Event Wristbands

While wristbands are a popular choice, there are some situations where event wristband alternatives might be a better fit. 

Events With Formal or Professional Dress Codes

A flimsy paper or silicone wristband looks out of place at a black tie event. It might even be uncomfortable for attendees wearing delicate fabrics or jewelry. Consider going with a mobile pass or RFID card for more subtle and stylish event wristband alternatives. 

For another approach, use a high-quality printed pass kept on a lanyard. A lanyard material like nylon or woven fabric can give you an attractive and durable lanyard that holds the pass securely and can be saved as a keepsake after the event. 

Short Duration or Low-Traffic Events

For smaller events, visual recognition might be sufficient for attendee control. The cost of purchasing wristbands and the time spent on distributing them might be more than a small organization can handle.

If your event is too small for wristbands but too large to handle without some kind of system, consider event wristband alternatives like stickers or ink stamps. Both are cheaper and easier to use than wristbands and are well suited for small gatherings.

High-End or VIP Experiences

Badges with lanyards or pins look more refined than wristbands. High-quality printed passes can also serve as an identifier. Digital identification through a dedicated event app gives your attendees privacy while maintaining complete control over the membership app. 

RFID cards or digital passes offer more than just privacy and convenience. They can grant access to expedited entry lines and exclusive lounges, or even allow cashless payments for premium services. 

Events Where Attendee Privacy is a Concern

Event organizers use wristbands because they are easy to spot at a glance. But if you’re holding a symposium on a controversial subject or your attendees prefer anonymity, that visibility may become a problem.

For private events, use more discreet event wristband alternatives. Consider the advantages of PVC ID cards. They’re cost-effective and can include security features like RFID so you can manage guests easily without printed lists. 

The Best Event Wristband Alternatives

You have many alternatives besides a wristband vs lanyard if wristbands aren’t suitable for your event. Here are some of the most common alternatives to wristbands, along with some suggested use cases. 

Custom ID Cards and Lanyards

Custom ID cards and lanyards are great for conferences, corporate events, and member gatherings. Staff can scan and verify the ID card at a glance. Attendees can pass quickly through checkpoints without reaching into their pocket or purse.

Custom ID cards can include security features like barcodes, QR codes, magnetic stripes, or RFID/NFC chips. And a custom ID card lanyard offers further branding opportunities. 

We make it easy here at CustomLanyard.net with our online ordering process. You can customize both at the same time in one simple order. When you work with us you gain access to the best selection of materials, styles, and personalization options, too.

You’ll enjoy an intuitive customization process. Choose your material, size, length, and quality. Then, customize your messaging for the lanyard or upload your artwork. Our designers can work with you to perfect the details. Pick an attachment style, add any upgrades like badge reels, and then place your order. 

We’ve served over a million happy customers and counting and continue to offer the lowest prices across the industry. Get started with the #1 custom lanyard provider today!

Badge Reels or Clips

Badge reels or clips let attendees attach their ID badges to their clothing without something hanging around their neck. A badge reel gives you the best of both worlds, as attendees can extend their badge for scanning or display without detaching it from the clip.

Badge reels and clips are a good choice for events where attendees will be moving around frequently. They’re comfortable for guests but provide easy visibility to event staff. Use them with well-designed ID badges featuring clear, easy-to-read text.

Ticket Stubs and Passes

Ticket stubs and passes are still one of the most popular event wristband alternatives. Many event organizers use unique serial numbers or scannable barcodes or QR codes. These steps help track attendees and discourage counterfeit tickets.

Event passes and ticket stubs are a good choice for events where a quick entrance verification will suffice. If you are holding a single-day event with a no-exit policy, ticket stubs will be an easier and more cost-effective alternative to wristbands. 

Stamping and Ink Markers

Hand stamps and ink markers can be a quick and simple event wristband alternative. You can use different colored inks or stamp designs to distinguish between access levels or ticket types. You’ll often see hand stamps used at casual gatherings, club nights, or smaller festivals. 

While it’s a quick and cost-effective means of event attendee control, stamping has its limitations. Ink quickly smudges, fades, and washes off. While stamping can work for smaller events, larger gatherings should consider a more durable alternative. 

RFID Cards or Mobile Passes

How do ID cards work with readers? Attendees tap RFID cards at a card reader for quick entry, session tracking, or even cashless payments. Mobile passes use a dedicated event app to offer similar functionality without a physical card.

These digital tickets can be updated remotely by event organizers and allow for detailed data collection on attendee behavior. They’re becoming increasingly popular for larger conferences, festivals, and corporate events.

Wrapping Up Our Event Wristband Alternatives Guide

If wristbands aren’t right for your event, consider the alternatives above. And choose Custom Lanyard for all your event needs. We offer different types of wristbands, lanyards, custom ID cards, and promotional merchandise. Check out our site today!