From 1,000 Custom Lanyards to 1,000 Woven Keychains: Our Story with BHMS Switzerland
Some custom projects begin with a perfectly prepared specification sheet.
Others begin with a logo, an idea, a deadline—and quite a few questions.
Our project with BHMS in Switzerland was closer to the second kind.
When Athina from BHMS first contacted our team, it was their first time working on this type of custom promotional merchandise project. They knew what they wanted the finished product to look like, but there were still many details to work through: colors, dimensions, artwork, materials, production, shipping and timing.
And that is completely normal.
For us, the job was never simply to manufacture 1,000 custom lanyards.
It was to make the entire process—from the first conversation to final delivery—as clear, comfortable and predictable as possible.
The first order went smoothly.
Later, BHMS came back to us again.
This time, for 1,000 custom woven keychains.
Here is the story behind both projects—and a closer look at how we manage custom orders for customers who may be thousands of kilometers away from our factory.
About BHMS Switzerland
BHMS, the Business & Hotel Management School, is located in Switzerland and is part of the Benedict Education Group. The school offers programmes in areas including business management, hospitality and culinary arts, with an international student community and a strong emphasis on practical, career-focused education.
For an international educational institution like BHMS, branded merchandise is more than simply putting a logo on a product.
The colors need to represent the school correctly.
The artwork needs to remain clear.
The finished product needs to look professional.
And when the products are being prepared for a specific school activity or event, there is also something equally important:
they need to arrive on time.
Project Snapshot
| Project Detail | BHMS Order |
|---|---|
| Customer | BHMS, Switzerland |
| Contact | Athina |
| First Product | Custom Lanyards |
| First Quantity | 1,000 pcs |
| Design | Custom BHMS branding |
| Color Control | Pantone reference and physical color checking |
| Approval | Digital mockup + pre-production sample |
| Bulk Production | Approx. 8–10 days for this project |
| Shipping | DHL Express |
| Destination | Switzerland |
| Follow-Up Order | 1,000 Custom Woven Keychains |
But those numbers only tell part of the story.
The more important part is what happened between the inquiry and the finished products.
Step 1: Understanding What the Customer Actually Needed
One of the easiest mistakes in custom manufacturing is to quote too quickly.
A customer asks:
“How much for 1,000 lanyards?”
It is tempting to reply with a price immediately.
But the price of a custom lanyard depends on much more than quantity.
So before giving Athina the final production solution, our sales team first worked through the details of the project with her.
We discussed the design, size, colors, construction, logo position, quantity, hardware and how the finished product would be used.
We also considered the destination and shipping requirements.
This allows us to recommend something that actually suits the project instead of simply selling the cheapest possible option.
For customers requesting a quotation, information such as the following usually helps us work much faster:
- Logo or artwork
- Required quantity
- Preferred size
- Product type
- Color requirements or Pantone references
- Accessories or attachments
- Delivery country
- Required delivery date
And if you don’t know all of these details yet?
That is fine too.
You do not need to understand every manufacturing term before contacting a factory.
Sometimes the best place to start is simply:
“This is our logo, this is what we want to use the product for, and this is when we need it.”
We can work through the rest together.
Step 2: Turning the Idea Into a Mockup
Before producing anything, we prepared a digital mockup for BHMS.
This is one of the most important stages of a custom project because it gives both sides a common visual reference.
Instead of asking the customer to imagine the final result from a written description, the mockup allows them to check things such as:
- logo placement
- strap layout
- overall proportions
- dimensions
- logo spacing
- hardware position
- color direction
For the BHMS project, we adjusted the artwork and dimensions together until Athina was happy with the result.
Once the mockup was confirmed, we could move forward with much more confidence.
Photo Position 01 – BHMS Digital Mockup
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The digital mockup allowed BHMS to confirm the dimensions, logo placement and overall appearance before production.
Step 3: Getting the Colors Right
Color can look surprisingly different depending on where you see it.
A dark blue displayed on a laptop screen may look different on a phone.
The same digital color can also appear differently once it is applied to fabric.
That is why, when brand color is important, we prefer not to rely on the computer screen alone.
For the BHMS project, the artwork included several recognizable brand colors, including dark blue, gold, red and white.
Before bulk production, our team checked the required colors using Pantone references and compared them with the actual production materials.
We photographed the color comparisons and sent them to Athina for confirmation.
This gave the customer the opportunity to review the color direction before 1,000 pieces went into production.
Photo Position 02 – Artwork With Pantone References
Photo Position 03 – Physical Pantone Color Comparison
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Pantone references and physical color comparisons helped us confirm the BHMS brand colors before bulk production.
For custom products, this extra confirmation step can prevent a very expensive sentence later:
“That isn’t the blue we expected.”
Step 4: Why We Made a Sample Before Producing 1,000 Pieces
After the artwork and colors had been reviewed, we made a physical pre-production sample.
And this is where something very normal—and very useful—happened.
During the sample review, a few small color details still needed adjustment.
Athina reviewed the sample photos with us and pointed out the details she wanted changed.
Our team confirmed the corrections before starting mass production.
This did not mean the sampling process had failed.
Quite the opposite.
That is exactly what a pre-production sample is for.
The purpose of sampling is to find differences before hundreds or thousands of pieces are produced.
A digital artwork can tell us a lot.
A physical sample tells us even more.
Photo Position 04 – First Physical Sample
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The pre-production sample gave both sides a final opportunity to review colors and design details before mass production.
For projects where color, dimensions, logo details or construction are particularly important, customers can confirm the sample through photos and videos.
If required, we can also arrange to send the physical sample to the customer for approval before bulk production begins.
Step 5: Customer Approval—Then Bulk Production
Once Athina confirmed the sample and the remaining details, we moved into bulk production.
For this particular order, the production time was approximately 8–10 days.
Production time can vary depending on the product style, quantity, complexity and current production schedule, so we normally confirm the estimated lead time for each individual project before the order begins.
But production does not mean the customer suddenly stops hearing from us.
We know there is an uncomfortable period in international sourcing:
You have paid for the order.
The goods are being made in another country.
And you cannot physically walk into the factory to see what is happening.
That is why we try not to leave customers guessing.
During the BHMS order, we kept Athina updated and shared photos and videos of the products so she could see the real production result.
No Guessing, and No Disappearing After Payment
For us, communication should not become slower after an order is confirmed.
It should become more important.
Throughout a custom project, our sales team follows the order and communicates with the production team so customers can stay informed about key stages.
When the BHMS lanyards were finished, we photographed the bulk products and shared the result with Athina before shipment.
She could see:
- the logo appearance
- the finished colors
- the overall production result
- the quantity being prepared
- the packing status
That meant the first time she saw the finished lanyards was not when she opened a box in Switzerland.
She had already seen the order before it left our side.
Photo Position 05 – Finished BHMS Lanyards
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Finished BHMS lanyards photographed before shipment.
Step 6: Choosing the Right Shipping Method
Manufacturing the product correctly is only half the job.
It still needs to reach the customer.
And there is no single shipping method that is best for every order.
We normally recommend the shipping solution according to several factors:
Where is the customer located?
How large and heavy is the shipment?
When does the customer need to receive the goods?
Which option provides the best balance between cost and delivery time?
Depending on the project, we can arrange:
- Express courier
- Air freight
- Sea freight
For many destinations, we can also offer DDP shipping options, which can make international purchasing much easier for customers because the logistics solution can include delivery to the agreed destination with duties and import arrangements handled according to the quoted DDP service.
For urgent or relatively compact orders, international express services such as DHL, FedEx or UPS can often be a practical solution.
Larger orders with more flexible timelines may be more economical by air or sea freight.
We compare the available options based on the customer’s actual project instead of automatically using the same shipping method every time.
Step 7: DHL Delivery From Our Factory to Switzerland
For the BHMS lanyard project, DHL Express was the most suitable option.
Before dispatch, we reconfirmed the receiving information with Athina.
Once the goods were collected, we sent the tracking information to her immediately.
For this shipment, the expected transit time was approximately 3–6 days, although actual courier delivery times can vary depending on destination, customs clearance, holidays and carrier conditions.
And sending the tracking number was not the end of our involvement.
Our sales team continued checking the shipment status so that if anything unusual appeared during transit, we could respond quickly.
Photo Position 06 – DHL Shipment / Tracking
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After dispatch, tracking information was shared with the customer and our team continued following the shipment until delivery.
Important image note:
Before publishing the DHL screenshot, hide the full tracking number, telephone number, address and any other private shipping information.
Step 8: The Best Part—Seeing the Products Reach Their Real Destination
For a factory, a custom order spends most of its life looking very technical.
Artwork files.
Pantone numbers.
Measurements.
Production sheets.
Cartons.
Shipping labels.
But none of those things are the real reason the product was made.
The real moment comes later.
When the lanyards leave the carton.
When people actually use them.
When the customer’s event begins.
BHMS later shared photos from their activity with us, and we were very happy to hear that the event had been a success.
At that point, the project was no longer just 1,000 pieces on a production order.
They had become part of a real event in Switzerland.
For our team, those are always some of the nicest photos to receive.
Photo Position 07 – BHMS Event Photos
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The finished lanyards in use at the BHMS event in Switzerland.
What BHMS Said About Working With Us
After the project was completed, we asked Athina if she would be willing to share some feedback about the experience.
She kindly did.
“We at our school, BHMS, were very satisfied with the whole process with Lovecolour. From start to finish, the staff were extremely nice, friendly, and helpful. They guided us throughout the project and made the entire process much easier and more enjoyable for us.
It was our first time doing this kind of project, so we really appreciated their support and professionalism. We were also very happy with the quality of the final product when we received it. Everything turned out beautifully, and we are very pleased with the result.”
— Athina, BHMS Switzerland
We could probably write many paragraphs about service, communication and quality.
But this means more to us than anything we could write about ourselves.
And Then Came the Second Order
The first BHMS project was for 1,000 custom lanyards.
But the story did not finish after delivery.
Athina later came back to us with another project.
This time:
1,000 Custom Woven Keychains
For us, a repeat order is one of the most meaningful forms of customer feedback.
A positive message is wonderful.
A customer deciding to work with you again means something even more practical:
the first experience created enough trust for another project.
For the woven keychains, we again worked through the artwork, dimensions, colors and construction before production.
The finished design used the BHMS branding in a compact fabric keychain format, with woven details, reinforced edging, eyelet and metal keyring.
Photo Position 08 – Finished BHMS Woven Keychains
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After the successful lanyard project, BHMS returned for a second order of 1,000 custom woven keychains.
The first project introduced us.
The second project told us that the relationship had worked.
What Other Buyers Can Learn From This Project
Every custom order is different, but the BHMS project illustrates a few principles that apply to almost any custom lanyard or promotional product order.
1. Confirm the artwork before production
A mockup gives both the customer and factory a common reference and helps prevent misunderstandings about size, layout and logo placement.
2. Do not rely only on screen colors
If brand color is important, provide Pantone references whenever possible.
Physical material and production colors should be reviewed carefully.
3. Use a sample when the details matter
For larger or more detailed projects, a sample provides an opportunity to identify adjustments before bulk production.
4. Tell your supplier the required delivery date
The cheapest freight method is not always the best one.
Knowing the deadline early helps the factory plan both production and shipping.
5. Ask to see the finished bulk order
Photos and videos before shipment give you another opportunity to understand what is leaving the factory.
6. Choose shipping according to the project
Express, air freight, sea freight and DDP solutions all have different advantages.
The right choice depends on destination, weight, budget and deadline.
7. Communication matters just as much as manufacturing
A good supplier should not only know how to make the product.
They should also help you understand what happens next.
Ordering Custom Lanyards for the First Time?
If this is your first custom lanyard project, you may be wondering:
Which material should I choose?
What width is best?
Should my logo be printed or woven?
Do I need a sample?
Which attachment should I use?
Can the colors match my brand?
How long will production take?
Which shipping method should I choose?
You do not need to answer every one of those questions before contacting us.
BHMS was also working on this type of project for the first time.
Our role as a custom manufacturer is not simply to wait for a perfectly prepared purchase specification.
We can help you work through the options.
LOVECOLOUR currently manufactures custom lanyards in printed, woven/jacquard and other constructions, with different widths, attachments and hardware available for schools, events, businesses and promotional applications.
Start With Four Things
If you would like us to review your project, simply send:
1. Your logo or artwork
2. The quantity you need
3. Your delivery country
4. When you need the products
If you already know the size, material, Pantone colors or attachment, include those too.
If not, tell us how the product will be used and our team can recommend a suitable production solution.
From artwork review and mockup…
to color confirmation…
to sampling…
to bulk production…
to packing and international delivery…
our goal is simple:
Make custom manufacturing easier for the customer.
Because a good custom product should not only look right when it arrives.
The whole process of creating it should feel right too.
Ready to Start Your Custom Lanyard Project?
Send us your artwork, quantity and delivery requirements.
Our team will review your design, recommend a suitable production method and provide a factory-direct quotation together with practical shipping options for your destination.
Get a Custom Quote
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