Article - How Printing is Done On Corporate Branded Gifts
10 Jan 2018
Corporate branded gifts are well-appreciated by clients and employees alike if the quality, usefulness, and aesthetic appeal principles are followed in the selection of the gifts. Printing on the gifts is what allows companies to brand while showing their appreciation. Below is a brief introduction to printing technologies used to brand corporate promotional items, gifts, and clothing.
Screen Printing
It is a method of printing that uses spot colours and a screen for the transferring of the company logo and message onto the desired item. The print technician uses a screen whereupon the image inverse is placed allowing for the ink to be printed as the desired image. The ink then flows across the screen and comes to the surface and the print is completed. It is still one of the cheapest forms of printing on items ranging from bags to plastic pens, balls, and even water bottles.
Digital Printing
The technology is well-suited for printing of complicated or a combination of colours for which screen printing isn’t suited. Digital printing enables full colour printing through the use of printers connected to computers housing special printing software. The printing technique is often referred to as full colour printing. It is well-suited for note pads, paper based printing, magnets and even coasters, as well as canvasses and mouse pads.
Heat Transfer
As implied, heat transfer is a method of printing that uses high heat to press the ink onto the print surface. It is well-suited for printing on fabric where you need more than one colour in the logo. Heat transfer works well with 100% cotton shirts and other types of clothing.
Laser Engraving
With the engraving method your logo will look amazingly sharp because the technique produces detail often missing with other printing methods. The logo won’t peel off. It is a rather straightforward process where the logo is programmed into the laser printing equipment and then the engraving is done. It is suitable for printing logos onto wooden items, glassware, plaques and metal type gifts.
Embossing
If you’re looking for a 3D appearance of the logo then embossing or debossing is the method to use. The process entails the creation of a die from metal in your logo’s shape, which is then inserted between the metal and the item to which it must be transferred. Pressure is applied and then you get the desired effect.
The basic difference between embossing and debossing is that embossed prints will stand out from the material whereas debossed prints press into the material. Normally the logo will not have a colour, but at an additional fee you can have a colour added. The method is well-suited for application onto leather and vinyl products.
Embroidery
The method adds texture to the printed logo or image and is suitable for usage on a fabric product. This type of technique is often used for branding on golf shirts. The logo is converted into a digital image and then colour threads are selected. The fabric is placed in the embroidery printer and the embroidery is completed.
With so many printing methods available today corporate gifts can be stylishly branded according to the material used the volume of prints, as well as budget of the client.