How to Print Double-Sided Lanyards with a Heat Press Machine – Step-by-Step Guide

Ever tried printing on both sides of a lanyard and ended up with colors misaligned or designs looking off? I’ve been there too. Let me walk you through how I fixed that.

To print double-sided lanyards with a lanyard heat press machine, you need the right materials, proper design alignment, and a stable machine setup. This ensures vibrant colors and perfectly matched front-and-back designs.

Let’s break it down step by step.

What do I need to get started?

First things first—you don’t need a massive factory to do this. I started with just a reliable lanyard heat press and a bit of trial and error. Here’s your basic toolkit:

To print double-sided lanyards, you’ll need:

• A double-sided Lanyard heat press machine (I use the FLYING brand one — lanyard heat press machine)

• Sublimation printer with high-quality sublimation ink

• Sublimation paper , protection paper (optional per lanyard materials )

• Polyester or woven lanyard tape (about 15-60mm wide)

• One roll mirrored sublimation transfer paper (front and back designs in the same direction)

Here’s a tip: Go with lanyard materials that can handle heat well—polyester works best in my experience.

How should I design for double-sided lanyards?

Alignment is everything.

Print the front and back designs of the lanyard in the same direction on the transfer paper, and make sure the sizes of artwork layout are uniformed , this is the key to alignment perfectly .

Use design software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW. Keep your resolution high (at least 300 DPI), and always test with a sample print.

Avoid putting small text too close to the edges .

How do I set up the heat press for double-sided lanyards?

Every machine is different, but my FLYING lanyard press has a few lifesaving features: stable pressure control, anti-deviation blanket, and dual alignment tracks.

Preheat your lanyard heat press to 200°C (392°F), adjust the printing speed per lanyard materials .

What’s the detailed operation process step-by-step ?

If you're using a Flying double-sided heat press machine, here’s the full setup and shutdown process I follow:

1. Make sure the machine is grounded properly. Wiring should be:

• Live wire → L1, L2, L3

• Neutral wire → N terminal

• Ground wire → marked position on machine

2. Inside the control cabinet, push the breaker and operation on panel:

• Press the "POWER" button

• Press the "INVERTER START" button

• Press the "REV/FWD" button, adjust speed using the Frequency Control panel, then press the knob to confirm

• Press "HEAT" and set temperature (default: 220°C)

3. Once the temperature is stable, run a small ribbon test. Adjust temperature if needed for better results.

4. Load the machine in this order:

• Feed protection paper (also called tissue paper) flat into the roller

• Then feed sublimation paper and ribbon together

• They’ll pass through the rollers and come out via the tape rack

You can see exactly how I do this in this video: Watch the setup on YouTube

5. While transferring, you can tweak the roller speed depending on the print result—slow down for deeper colors, speed up for faster production.

6. When you're done:

• Turn off the "HEAT" button and let the machine cool to 80°C

• Then turn off "REV/FWD", then "FREQUENCY START", then "POWER", then the 3P air switch, and finally the leakage circuit breaker

• Always make sure someone is present while powering off

7. In emergencies, press "POWER" and "HEAT" together. The machine will enter auto cooling mode and shut down after about 3 hours

How do I avoid mistakes?

Oh, I’ve had my fair share of crooked prints and blurry logos.

To avoid common printing issues, always test alignment first,Print the front and back designs of the lanyard in the same direction on the transfer paper, and make sure the sizes of artwork layout are uniformed .

And here’s a hard lesson I learned: humidity affects results. If your workspace is humid, keep your sublimation paper in a dry box.

Also, double-check that both designs face the correct direction. I once printed a batch with one side upside down. Oops.

What happens after printing?

You’re almost done—don’t skip this part.

After printing, cool the lanyards flat, attach metal clips or hooks, and inspect for quality before packing.

Any wrinkling? Gently re-press with a Teflon sheet on top. Frayed edges? A quick heat sealer fixes that.

If you're selling to clients, presentation matters. Roll them neatly or hang them in bundles—it makes a big difference.

Conclusion

Printing double-sided lanyards with a heat press doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right machine, good prep, and a few hands-on tips, you can deliver professional results every time.

And trust me, once you’ve nailed your first batch, it’s kind of addictive.