Promotional Product Decoration Methods

Pad Print

Pad printing uses a silicone pad to transfer an image to a product from a laser etched printing plate. Pad printing is one of the most practical and popular ways of branding promotional products due to its ability to reproduce images on uneven or curved surfaces and print multiple colours in a single pass. Close PMS matches can be achieved on white surfaces but as the colour of the product gets darker the ability to match PMS colours diminishes.

Screen Print

Screen printing involves forcing ink through a mesh screen with a squeegee onto the product or substrate and is excellent for large print areas on flat or cylindrical objects. Close PMS matches can be achieved on white surfaces but as the colour of the product gets darker the ability to match PMS colours diminishes. Screen printing is best suited for spot colour reproduction and is not recommended for logos with half tones in them.

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving gives a permanent finish and creates a higher perceived value than direct printing. Different materials produce different effects when engraved and if you are uncertain about the engraved finish please ask for a pre production sample. Your artwork needs to be 1-color. Fine detail is difficult to reproduce

Full Colour Label

Full colour labels are used for products with substrates that are difficult to print successfully with any other method. Full colour labels are either printed with a digital inkjet printer if they are vinyl or a digital printing press for paper labels. Only approximate PMS colour matches are possible with digital printing.

Full Colour Heat Transfer

There are several methods of producing heat transfers. They can be printed and cut to shape on a digital inkjet printer. The disadvantage of this method is that the transfer can look like a label when heat pressed onto the product. Other methods are screen print, offset or full colour digital printing onto a release media. These methods give a finished print very similar to direct printing but the image is often much sharper and can reproduce finer detail. Heat transfers are commonly used to brand textile surfaces and bags. They are heat pressed onto the product and produce a permanent bond. Only approximate PMS colour matches are possible with digital printing.

Resin Coated Finish

Resin coating an image produces a stunning 3 dimensional effect and elevates the perceived value of any product. Vinyl labels are resin coated which produces a very durable weather proof label that is almost indestructible. Resin labels can be printed in full colour and used very effectively to brand a large variety of products. As they are digitally printed, only approximate PMS colour matches are possible.

Sublimation

Sublimation is achieved by heat transferring a digitally printed full colour image from a paper transfer to the product. This process can reproduce stunning, vivid, full colour graphics but there is limited control over the colour outcomes which makes reproducing PMS colours very difficult and in some cases impossible. Only certain surfaces and materials can be branded with sublimation printing.

Digital Media

This production method is used for printing media such as paper, vinyl and magnetic material used in the manufacture of labels, badges and fridge magnets etc. Both digital inkjet and digital printing presses are used in the production of digital media. It is difficult to reproduce PMS colour matches with digital printing.

Direct Digital

Direct to product digital printing involves the transfer of ink directly from the print head of a special inkjet machine to the product and can be used to produce full colour printing on flat or slightly curved surfaces. It is difficult to reproduce PMS colour matches and some colours including metallic gold and silver are not possible to achieve. One big advantage of direct digital is that these machines can print a layer of white ink under the copy making them ideal for branding dark coloured products.

Kiln Fired Decal

Kiln fired decals are transfers printed with a ceramic ink that are applied to coffee mugs and glassware which are then fired at high temperatures in a kiln. The advantage of kiln fired decals is that the print becomes part of the surface and is permanent. They are also good for decorating mug handles and the inside lip as well as producing larger print areas on irregular shaped mugs or glasses. It is possible to obtain approximate PMS colour matches.

Debossing

Debossing is produced by pressing a hot engraved metal plate into the surface of a product with a lot of pressure. This produces a permanent image below the products surface.

Advantages:

• Higher perceived value than other forms of branding.
• The branding becomes part of the product and is permanent.

Limitations:

• Has a higher initial setup cost than other forms of branding as an engraved metal plate must be made.

Embroidery

Embroidery is an excellent way of branding bags, apparel and other textile products. It offers higher perceived value and a depth of branding quality which other processes can’t match and the finished image has a slightly raised effect. Embroidery uses rayon thread which is stitched into the product.

Advantages:

• Only one setup charge applies per position for up to 12 thread colours.

Limitations:

• Only approximate PMS colour matches are possible - the threads to be used are chosen from those available to give the closest possible match.
• It is best to avoid both fine detail and font sizes which are less than 4 mm high in the artwork.

Colourflex Transfers

• Ideal for producing full colour images (including gradients) as well as approximate spot colour branding.
• High definition, complex, vibrant artwork suitable on a range of garment fabrics.
• Eco friendly water-based inks.
• Durable, flexible, and machine washable with a soft-touch matt finish.
• Efficient self-weeding technology.
• Only one set up charge is required regardless of the number of print colours.
• Can be shipped straight after being printed.

• Some colours cannot be reproduced including metallic and neon colours.
• A thin, clear line of glue can sometimes be seen around the edges of the image.
• Unable to print variable data.
• Minimum detail is advised to be no finer than 1mm.

• Artwork can be supplied in either vector or bitmap format.
• Bitmaps supplied require being higher than 300dpi resolution at the actual print size.
• Fonts are advised to be converted to outlines/objects to avoid font conflicts.

Supacolour

Supacolour is the latest technology in digital reproduction of logos. It is a proprietary technology applied in-house and in just 5 days from artwork approval to dispatch, it is very fast. It can reproduce logos perfectly without a need to compromise.

Now available in metallic! Learn more.

What are the benefits of using Supacolour?

• Unlimited colours and high vibrancy
• Ultra-high detail (finest of text, perfect colour gradients
• Allows free floating text without any weeding required, hence the low cos
• Ultra-high resolution – photo reproduction achievable
• High stretchability and versatility in terms of fabrics and where it can be applied
• Robust! Can be applied across seams and on coarse fabrics.
• 100+ washes, will outlive the product and won’t peel, crack or fade.
• Using the highest quality, eco-friendly inks and no vinyl as well
• Saves time and money with very simple, cost effective pricing structure

Rotary 360 Full Colour Print

• Ideal for large or complex multi-colour or full colour prints.
• The print is dry and ready to ship as soon as the product is printed.
• Only one setup charge is required irrespective of the number of print colours.
• Any product colour can be printed with no loss of colour vibrancy.

• Production speed is limited so lead times can be longer in some cases.
• PMS colours are only approximate.
• Some colours cannot be reproduced including metallic silver and gold.
• The print cannot be joined so there will be a small space between where the print starts and ends.
• Rotary digital is more expensive than conventional branding.

• Artwork can be supplied in either vector or bitmap format.