How to Apply a Tyvek Wristband at Festivals and Events

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With events back on and the festival season in full swing, a question we often hear is “how do I put on a wristband?”. Whilst they might be light and paper-thin, Tyvek wristbands are waterproof, impossible to tear and tamper-resistant – so knowing how to put them on the right way (first time round) to help inform your guests can ensure you avoid any potential hiccups on the day of your next event. These instructions also work for our Go Green Paper Wristbands.

Putting Your Wristband On

Tearing Off Your First Wristband

Each of our wristband packs arrives in sheets of 8 bands. Each band has perforated edges and can be removed neatly, but it is highly recommended to go slow and steady for the cleanest tear possible.

Applying The Wristband

Turn the wristband around so the coloured side is facing down, then peel away the adhesive strip. Next, wrap the wristband around your wrist (or your guests’). All our wristbands are one size fits all and can be adjusted to fit any size wrist.

Securing Your Wristband

Secure the wristband in place by applying pressure to the adhesive area. Now you can enjoy the event whilst knowing your wristbands are waterproof, secure and comfortable to wear!

Applying Tyvek Wristbands to Large Queues

Applying Tyvek wristbands to hundreds of guests at an entry gate takes preparation and a consistent fitting routine. Before gates open, separate the sheets along the perforations and stack loose bands in a shallow tray at each lane. Tearing bands apart while guests wait adds avoidable time to every entry.

Where staffing allows, use a two-person lane: one person applies wristbands while the other manages the queue and answers questions. Keep spare bands within reach at every lane, rather than in a box behind the entry area.

Ask each guest to hold their arm out flat with their fingers together. Wrap the band around the wrist, not the forearm. Peel the backing off only when you are ready to secure it, so the adhesive stays clean and does not fold onto itself.

Check the fit before pressing: it should be snug enough not to slide over the hand, but loose enough to slide one finger underneath. One-size-fits-all bands are adjustable, but be sure to check the fit especially on small children’s wrists and larger wrists before securing the adhesive. Set the overlap first, then press the adhesive firmly for a few seconds: a light press is the most common reason a band works loose later in the day.

The same fit checks apply to fabric wristbands with locking closures, where an application mistake means cutting off and replacing the whole band.

Need wristbands for your next event? Shop waterproof, tamper-resistant Tyvek wristbands in 14 bright colours.

Taking Your Wristband Off

Removing It Safely

It is important to remember that each Tyvek wristband once taken off, cannot be put back on (making them great security wristbands). To remove, simply pull the bottom layer tab of the wristband until the Tyvek threads come apart. Please make sure to take extra care, especially when doing this on little ones’ wrists.

What to Do When a Wristband Is Applied Incorrectly

When a Tyvek wristband is applied incorrectly, remove it and fit a new one. The single-use closure that stops guests passing bands to each other also means a band cannot be adjusted or reused: once removed, it is spent.

If a band is too tight, cut it off rather than trying to loosen the adhesive join. If it is too loose, replace it before the guest leaves the lane. A loose band can slip off during the day, bringing the guest back to the gate for assistance.

When cutting a band off, use blunt-nosed scissors and keep the blades away from the skin, taking particular care with children.

Keep a simple tally of replacement bands at each lane, then compare it with total admissions to give organisers a practical replacement rate for their next event.

Our wristband quantity planning guide shows how to allow spares for fitting errors, not just extra guests, when you place your next order.

Dispose Of Responsibly

Once your wristband has been removed, please be sure to dispose of it responsibly. Other than the adhesive strip, the entire wristband can be recycled through any HDPE-2 recycling point. If you would prefer we recycle the wristbands for you, you can send the wristbands back to us to be recycled through our program with TerraCycle.

Send your used wristbands to:

Parcel Collect 10146 09979
Avenues Shopping Centre
Shop 1, 114 Payneham Road Stepney SA 5069

Eco-Friendly Fabric Wristbands for Multi-Day Events
Made from recycled materials and fully customisable with your design, fabric wristbands are a durable choice for festivals running over several days.

Why Do We Use Tyvek?

Whilst being super durable and comfortable, Tyvek is a popular choice amongst event planners because they are cost-effective, and are perfect for controlling and identifying different groups of people at scale. Due to their ability to be customised as well, Tyvek makes for a great choice at any number of events including birthday parties, weddings, bucks and hens parties, Christmas parties, festivals and more.

Why Do We Use Paper?

Our Go Green paper wristbands are made from Forest Stewardship Council certified paper, which is easily recyclable, compostable and biodegradable. When you purchase these wristbands, you are actively contributing to the security of forests and the communities dependent on them.

Looking To Planning Your Next Event?

At The Wristband Co., we regularly work with customers planning events of all sizes. From small intimate weddings to large scale festivals we are happy to assist in any way we can, helping you find the right wristbands for your event. Get in touch with us today on 08 8363 4850 or email us at [email protected] for more information.

Planning a festival or large event? Get a quote on bulk and wholesale wristbands.