Plastic and vinyl wristbands are both popular with event organizers and business owners. Both are great wristband materials. But should you go with plastic or vinyl wristbands for your project? 

We’ve written this guide explaining the differences between plastic and vinyl wristbands to help you decide. We’ve been making custom wristbands for almost 20 years, so we know what we’re talking about. And when you finish this article, you’ll know too! 

Custom Lanyard is your best choice whether you choose custom vinyl wristbands or custom Tyvek wristbands. Over 1 million happy customers have trusted Custom Lanyard. Trust us with all your wristband needs. 

Pros and Cons of Plastic Wristbands

We make our plastic wristbands with durable Tyvek®. Its spun polyethylene plastic fibers make it a strong choice for concerts, nightclubs, and bars. Tyvek wristbands have become a staple crowd management tool for event promoters for many good reasons.

Benefits

Tyvek wristbands are the most cost-effective option for promoters who are running events on a tight budget. You can manage access for thousands of guests for only a few pennies per bracelet. 

Tyvek’s paper-like surface makes customization easy. You can easily add logos, dates, sponsor information, and even barcodes and QR codes. 

Not only are Tyvek wristbands cheap, but they’re easy to apply as well. You simply peel and stick the adhesive closure in place. This helps you avoid long lines and entry delays.

Considerations

Tyvek wristbands are designed for short-term events as they won’t hold up well against prolonged exposure to water, sweat, and friction. 

A Tyvek wristband will tear and shred if you try to pull the adhesive closure loose. But a determined individual may be able to remove the band and reapply it on an unauthorized guest. 

Lightweight Tyvek is comfortable at first. But as the evening progresses, it can show signs of wear and become irritating. 

Pros and Cons of Vinyl Wristbands

Vinyl wristbands are a sturdy, stretch-resistant alternative to plastic. They’re made with three layers of vinyl material for durability, and are resistant to stretching and tearing. But they’re comfortable enough to prevent skin irritation even over multi-day events. 

Benefits

Vinyl wristbands are 100% waterproof and stretch-proof. They will remain intact and comfortable through weeks of rigorous activities at summer camps and multi-day festivals.

Vinyl wristbands also offer superior security. Once the snap is closed, it cannot be reopened. You must cut the wristband with scissors to remove it. There's no way of transferring a vinyl wristband to an unauthorized person.

A vinyl wristband is softer and more flexible than a Tyvek wristband. It remains comfortable over multiple days and nights.

Considerations

Vinyl wristbands come in at a considerably higher price point. Their cost can be prohibitive if you’re on a tight budget or need thousands of wristbands for a single-day event. 

Your staff must size the band to each guest’s wrist, then firmly close the plastic snap. This can lead to long lines and irritated guests if your event has a massive wave of arrivals. 

Their premium cost may be overkill for a short-term event. In those cases, go with our efficient and budget-friendly Tyvek wristband options. 

Should You Go With Plastic or Vinyl Wristbands?

Your choice between plastic or vinyl wristbands comes down to the length of your event. If your event lasts no more than 24-48 hours, our plastic wristbands are a great and cost-effective choice. For longer events or greater comfort, choose vinyl wristbands.

Here’s more information to help you decide. 

How Long Do They Last?

We design our plastic wristbands for short-term use. They’re not built with extended wear and tear in mind. The material can soften and the adhesive may weaken over the course of a multi-day event. Tyvek wristbands are unsuitable for events that last more than a day or two.

Our vinyl wristbands can withstand continuous use for up to 14 days. Their locking snap and multi-layered construction will hold fast through showering, swimming, and sleeping. If your guests will be wearing their wristbands for an extended period, vinyl is your only reliable choice.

Comfort and Wearability

Lightweight, breathable Tyvek feels comfortable against skin. Guests often forget they are wearing a Tyvek wristband. But over time, plastic wristbands can wrinkle and chafe against the skin. 

Vinyl is softer, smoother, and more flexible than Tyvek. The 3-ply material conforms to the wrist without chafing or irritation. Vinyl is the best choice if your guests will be sleeping, showering, or engaging in activities during your event.

Cost and Budget Considerations

You can get thousands of our custom Tyvek wristbands for as little as $0.05 each.This is a cost-effective and highly visible choice if you’re managing a concert, charity run, school function, or bar.

Vinyl wristbands are considerably more expensive. That extra cost makes sense for multi-day events or premium resorts. But it may not work for an event where you need thousands of wristbands on a tight budget.

Security and Tamper-Resistance

Our plastic wristbands use a single-use adhesive closure. Strategic die cuts will shred the Tyvek if a guest tries to open it. This provides sufficient tamper resistance for most events, but it’s not foolproof and determined guests may figure out a way to loosen and resell the wristband.

A vinyl wristband cannot be opened if your staff locks it into place. You must cut the wristband with scissors to remove it. It’s virtually impossible to transfer the band, so vinyl is the best choice for high-value events or access to VIP areas. 

Appearance and Professionalism

Our plastic wristbands are thin and come in an array of bright, vibrant colors. They’re an effective way to segment crowds and identify ticket holders. They’re a short-term admission ticket that gets the job done.

Go with vinyl wristbands for a more premium and professional image. They have a smoother finish and a more substantial feel that guests associate with luxury. 

Customization Options

We offer custom printing options for both our plastic and vinyl wristbands. Tyvek’s smooth surface is great for sharp graphics, crisp text, and full-color sponsor logos. You can even add barcodes and QR codes to provide event schedules and other crucial information. 

Our vinyl wristbands also offer high-resolution custom printing. But where our plastic wristbands may wrinkle and fade over the course of the event, our vinyl bands will remain clear and vibrant for weeks. 

Ideal Event Types

Choose our plastic wristbands for concerts, nightclubs, festivals, community fairs, and school events. They’re the best choice for short-term events where you need to manage a crowd without spending too much money. 

Are you planning a long-term event where security and guest comfort are important? Choose vinyl wristbands. They’re essential for multi-day festivals, resorts, cruise ships, hotels, summer camps, and season passes. 

What Other Materials Could You Consider?

You don’t have to narrow down your choice to plastic or vinyl wristbands. Custom Lanyard has different types of wristbands for every need! 

Our custom metal wristbands feature a sharp and stylish metal accent you can customize with laser engraving or colorfilled prints. 

We have a wide selection of fashionable, long-lasting custom silicone wristbands to choose from in many styles and colors, including debossed vs embossed wristbands.

Need wristband advice? Give our friendly customer support team a call!

Bring the Perfect Wristbands to Life at CustomLanyard.net!

Never ordered custom wristbands before? Our customization process is easy and intuitive. We’ve worked with giant companies like Google and Netflix and with local schools and small businesses. You get top-notch customer service and fast shipping no matter how large or small your order. 

Our stringent quality control process ensures that each product meets our high standards – and yours! We go the extra mile to bring complete customer satisfaction. And we offer the lowest prices, guaranteed.

Parting Thoughts on Choosing Plastic or Vinyl Wristbands

And that wraps up our guide to choosing between plastic or vinyl wristbands. Now you know which wristband material is best suited to your needs. And you know Custom Lanyard is the place to go when you want the best custom wristbands in any material. 

Whether you need plastic wristbands for your upcoming race or vinyl wristbands for your resort, you can count on Custom Lanyard. We provide custom wristbands that will do your event proud. Depend on Custom Lanyard for all your wristband needs!