School Lanyard Printing – For a Group of Schools in The Exceed Partnership

At The School Print Company, we’ve been partnering with schools across the UK for over 25 years, offering high-quality, tailored print solutions for the education sector. From exercise books to prospectuses, signage to stationery, we pride ourselves on delivering excellent customer service, attention to detail, and results that schools are proud to use. One of our more recent and exciting projects was the design and print of bespoke school lanyards for a group of schools in The Exceed Partnership.

This project was a fantastic example of how cohesive branding and functional design can come together to serve both practical and visual needs. With 11 individual schools taking part, the challenge was to create a product that celebrated their unique identities while also reinforcing their connection as part of the wider Exceed Partnership network.

Why Lanyards Matter in Schools

School lanyards may seem like a small detail, but they play a surprisingly important role in modern school life. Used primarily for identification and security, lanyards are worn daily by staff, visitors, and sometimes students. They offer a simple and efficient way to identify members of the school community at a glance—especially in busy, multi-use sites or when schools are part of larger trusts or federations.

Customised lanyards also help to promote a sense of professionalism, unity and pride. When designed well, they reinforce school branding and values, and can leave a strong impression on visitors, inspectors, and external professionals.

The Exceed Partnership: A Collaborative Project

The Exceed Partnership is a growing network of schools that work together to support high standards in education, teaching, and leadership. For this project, 11 schools across the partnership came to us looking for a fresh, unified set of lanyards.

Each school wanted to retain its individual branding while also reflecting the collective identity of the partnership. Our task was to bring that vision to life in a high-quality, practical format that could be worn every day.

We worked closely with partnership leads and each individual school to coordinate colours, logos, fonts, and messaging—ensuring every detail was just right.

A Unique Design Concept

Rather than a one-size-fits-all design, the solution was to split the design of each lanyard in two:

• One half of the lanyard featured the Exceed Partnership logo and branding, helping to emphasise the unity and shared values across all schools in the group.

• The other half was customised to reflect each individual school’s logo, name and colour scheme, giving them their own identity within the shared structure.

This clever approach gave each school ownership over their design, while still linking visually to the wider organisation. It also made the lanyards easy to recognise and visually engaging—ideal for events where multiple schools were present.

Durable, Practical, and Professional

Lanyards are worn daily, so durability and comfort were key considerations. We used high-quality, woven polyester that is soft around the neck, yet hard-wearing enough to cope with daily use.

Each lanyard included a safety breakaway clip, ensuring compliance with school health and safety policies. We also supplied transparent plastic ID card holders, which clip easily to the lanyard and can hold staff passes, ID badges or visitor tags securely in place.

We understand how important the small practical details are for schools. From making sure clips and holders are compatible with existing systems, to ensuring print clarity and colour accuracy, we work hard to get everything right the first time.

Colour Matching and Print Quality

Matching colours precisely across schools was essential. Every school has its own specific brand palette, and ensuring these were faithfully reproduced on the lanyards was a top priority.

We used sublimation printing, a high-quality process that ensures vibrant colours and crisp graphics that won’t fade or wear off over time. Unlike screen printing, sublimation printing embeds the ink directly into the fabric fibres, resulting in a smoother feel and longer-lasting finish.

Whether it was a bold, vibrant red or a deep navy blue, each school’s colours were matched to Pantone references or supplied artwork to ensure a professional and consistent result.

Efficient Project Management

With 11 schools involved, communication and coordination were crucial to the project’s success. Our experienced team worked efficiently with school administrators, office managers and trust leads to confirm artwork, approve proofs, and manage timelines.

We provided digital proofs for each school’s lanyard design, allowing stakeholders to review and sign off before production began. Our attention to detail during this stage meant fewer errors, faster turnaround times, and a smoother process for everyone involved.

The final order was produced, checked, packed, and delivered on time—ready for the start of the new term.

The End Result: Practical, Unified, and Impressive

The completed lanyards were a big hit across the Exceed Partnership schools. Staff appreciated the professional appearance and comfort of the lanyards, while leadership teams were impressed with how well the designs captured the essence of both their individual schools and the overarching trust brand.

At events and meetings where multiple schools gathered, the lanyards created an instant sense of connection. They showed that, while each school maintains its own identity, they are part of something larger—committed to shared values and mutual support.

The inclusion of card holders at the end of each lanyard also made day-to-day use simple and efficient. Staff could easily insert their ID cards, access passes or emergency contact info, keeping everything they needed close at hand.

Why Schools Choose The School Print Company

At The School Print Company, we’re more than just a supplier. We understand schools—their culture, their challenges, and their needs. That’s why we’ve spent over two decades working exclusively within the education sector, helping schools communicate better and present themselves with pride.

Our full range of services includes:

• School Exercise Books (standard and bespoke rulings)

• School Prospectus Brochures

• School Folders for Open Evenings

• Branded Stationery and Certificates

• Leaflets, Postcards and Term Cards

• Signage, Banners and Posters

• Logo Design and Brand Identity

• Promotional Products like pencil case sets and printed giveaways

When it comes to print and design for schools, we handle it all—from initial concept to final delivery.

Thinking About Lanyards for Your School or Trust?

If you're looking to refresh your school lanyards or want to explore ideas for trust-wide designs, we’d love to help. Whether you’re a single school or part of a multi-academy trust like The Exceed Partnership, we can tailor a solution that works for you—stylish, durable, and perfectly on-brand.

To find out more, view samples, or request a quote, just get in touch.

 07722 238832
 sales@theschoolprintcompany.co.uk
 www.theschoolprintcompany.co.uk

Final Thoughts

Our work with The Exceed Partnership is a perfect example of how thoughtful design and consistent branding can make a real difference to school identity. These lanyards were more than just accessories—they were a celebration of unity, professionalism, and pride in education.

At The School Print Company, we’re proud to support schools in everything they do—and we’re ready to help you, too.