Promotional Product Decoration Explained

Promotional Product Decoration Explained

The Decoration of Promotional Products can be by way of a number of different processors, each with their own benefits or limitations, based on the product type being decorated.

Digital Printing

Directly print digitally based artwork onto the object and uses CMYK (Cyan,Magenta,yellow,Black,White) direct from the artwork supplied.

Advantages

Allows Multi Colour printing in one setup
Ideal for flat or slightly curved surfaces
Pantone colour matching on any item colour including dark colours

Disadvantage

Can not print neon colours
Can not print gradients that transition from colour to transparent

Rotary Digital Printing

Directly print digitally based artwork onto round cylindrical objects such as bottles or cans that rotate as they move through the printing process providing a seamless print.

Advantages

Allows Multi Colour printing in one setup
Allows full 360 degree printing of the product
Prints both matt or glossy finishes

Disadvantage

Can not print neon colours
Can not print gradients that transition from colour to transparent

Laser Engraving

A laser is used directly to etch or burn onto the product and can capture accurately fine details of logo's.

Advantages

Accurate reproduction of logo or text
Laser engraving is permanent and will not fade or wear off

Disadvantage

Unable to engrave plastic or soft materials
The colour is limited to the product material or in the case of a colour anodised product that is aluminium the exterior colour, say black, is removed showing the aluminium colour being silver for the logo.

Pad Printing

Is just as the name suggests, the pad or laser etched plate with the logo is inked and then pressed against the product to produce the imprint.

Advantages

Can print on a large range of surfaces shapes or textures including irregular shapes

Disadvantage

long drying time for inks
Expensive for setups as each colour has a setup cost, best suited to single colour logo or text

Screen Printing

A process often used on garments where ink is pressed through fine mesh that contains the logo. Each colour requires a separate screen containing the image of that colour. Often involves heat ovens to cure and dry the ink or printed product.

Advantages

Provides a good coverage and level of colour depth
Very Durable resistant to scratching fading or washing

Disadvantage

Setup costs are high due to screen set up and limited to number of colours in a logo

Digital Label or Stickers

Printing is made of the logo or text in CMYK process direct to an adhesive backed Vinyl material that can be cut to shape and applied to the object.

Advantages

Allows Multi colour printing with one setup
Is Cost effective

Disadvantage

Minor position placement variations may be present as the labels or stickers are manually applied
Unable to print neon or Metallic colours

Digital Transfer

Printing of a design onto a transfer film that can be applied to fabrics and other materials using a heat press with pressure applied.

Advantages

Vivid colours able to print a full range of colour

Disadvantage

As heat and pressure is used for the application some products are heat sensitive and therefore not suitable for this method
Colour can fade over time due to any wash cycle or chemicals used in the wash process eg fabric bleaches like Vanish or dishwashing machine powders

Sublimation Print

Digital Print applied to the product using heat and pressure which bonds the design to the item. Applied mainly to fabrics of polyester where heat bonds the inks into the fabric producing long lasting and fade resistant images.

Advantages

The material absorbs the ink and locks it in when cool
Resistant to fading cracking and peeling

Disadvantage

Works on polyester fabrics only
Best used on white items as heat applied to coloured polyester fabric causes inconsistent results due to the base fabric colour being effected by the heat that is applied