A buckle that lets go

Breakaway lanyards

A breakaway lanyard has a buckle at the back of the neck that opens if the strap is pulled hard. The strap falls away instead of staying tight. We put that buckle on the lanyards we keep in stock, and we can add it when we print your artwork. You can order lanyards from us, or ask for a quote if you want to talk through the job.

See lanyards Get a quote

Last updated 10 September 2026

In short

The buckle sits at the back of the neck. If a bag, a door, or a person pulls the strap, the buckle opens and the lanyard comes off.
We put that buckle on the ready-made Staff, Security, Visitor, Contractor, and VIP lanyards. There is no minimum on those.
If you want your own logo on the strap, tell us you need the breakaway buckle and we will include it. Start with custom lanyards if you are still deciding on the print.
The price depends on how many you need and whether we print artwork. You can see that when you order, or we can send you a quote.

What the buckle does

A lanyard without a breakaway buckle is a loop that stays closed. If it catches on a door handle, a machine, or a child pulling at it, the strap can stay tight around the neck. The breakaway buckle is a plastic clip that is made to pop open when it is pulled. The two ends come apart, and the strap drops away.

You still get a clip at the bottom for a card. The breakaway is the extra piece at the back. The claw holds the badge, and the buckle at the neck is the one that lets go.

Who uses them

Schools and hospitals ask for them because children and patients will grab at a strap. Offices and sites ask for them because a lanyard can catch on a door, a chair, or equipment. Teachers ask for them a lot, and the reason is the same: the strap should not stay tight if it is pulled.

If you need a word already on the strap, order the ready-made ones. If you need a logo, send the artwork and say you want the breakaway buckle on each one. We send a picture of the print to approve before we print the real straps.

FAQs

What is a breakaway lanyard?+

It is a neck strap with a buckle at the back that opens if it is pulled hard. The strap comes off instead of staying tight around the neck. The clip at the bottom still holds a card.

Why do teachers need breakaway lanyards?+

A child or a bag can catch the strap. The buckle opens so it does not stay tight around the neck. Hospitals, offices, and sites use them for the same reason.

What is the best breakaway lanyard?+

There is not one best brand. What matters is that the buckle actually opens when it is pulled, and that the strap is comfortable to wear all day. The ones we keep in stock have that buckle. If you want a logo on the strap, tell us you need the same buckle and we will include it.

Where can I buy good quality lanyards?+

You can order them from us. We are in Melbourne and we ship across Australia. If you would rather talk through the buckle and the print first, ask us for a quote.

Custom lanyardsYour logo or a ready-made word, printed in Melbourne.Staff lanyardsReady-made, no minimum, with the breakaway buckle already on.Visitor lanyardsReady-made Visitor straps for reception, with the same buckle.See all lanyardsIn-stock printed roles and custom print.

Ready to order breakaway lanyards?

Have a look at the lanyards, or tell us you need the buckle that lets go and we will put it on the order.