Print methods

Print methods differ in the materials and shapes they suit, how large an image they can produce and how many colours the logo can have. A logo is printed on a plastic pen in a different way than on a t-shirt, and on a metal bottle it is often engraved.

How to choose a print method

The first question is the product: what material it is made of and what kind of surface it has. A small, curved surface calls for a different method than flat fabric, and a logo can be engraved on metal, wood or bamboo. The second question is the logo. A simple logo can be produced in many ways, but gradients and photographs require digital printing or sublimation.

Quantity also matters. On many textiles, the print included in the price is made by heat transfer in batches of fewer than 100 pcs and by screen print from 100 pcs. In your quote request, also tell us how the product will be used and whether it will be washed often, as this also affects the choice.

The description of many products states how the print included in the price is made. If the right method is not clear, tell us in your quote request what kind of result you are after, and we will suggest a method. Instructions for the logo file are on the page Logo and artwork.

What the print included in the price means

The price on the product page is excluding VAT. For products that can be printed, it includes a one-colour print in one position and the setup cost. Additional colours and other print positions are priced in the quote. If the logo is to be made by a method other than the one included in the product price, its price is also given in the quote.

The setup cost is spread over the whole batch, so the unit price falls as the quantity grows. Prices for different quantities are shown in the price table on the product page. The final price including print is confirmed in the quote once we have seen the logo.

Some products are sold without print, for example many card holders, card lanyards and name badges. The price of these does not include print.

What the price includes and where an extra charge may come from is explained in more detail on the page What determines the price of a promotional product.

Pad print

In pad printing, a soft pad transfers the ink from a printing plate to the surface of the product. The pad follows the surface, so the logo can be printed on a small or curved area, such as the barrel of a plastic pen. In our range, pad print is the method included in the price for many ballpoint pens and keyrings, as well as mugs, notebooks and electronic products.

Pad print suits a simple logo and short text. The print area is small, so a large image or photograph cannot be printed this way, and thin lines and small text do not always show clearly. Each colour is printed separately, and additional colours are priced in the quote.

Screen print

In screen printing, the ink is pressed onto the product through a fine mesh screen, and a separate screen is made for each colour. The method suits flat surfaces, such as t-shirts, cotton bags, sports bags and umbrellas. Screen print can also be used for a large print, for example on the back of a shirt.

Screen print suits a logo with one or a few solid colours. It is not suitable for photographs or gradients. On many textiles, the screen print included in the price is made from 100 pcs and can be at most A4 in size. On dark garments, a white base colour is printed first so that the logo stands out. The base colour counts as a second colour and is taken into account in the quote.

DTF print and heat transfer

In transfer printing, the logo is first printed on a film and then transferred from the film to the product with heat and pressure. This is why the method is also called heat transfer. DTF printing (direct to film) is a form of transfer printing in which the image is printed digitally straight onto the film, so the image can have several colours.

On many textiles, such as some hoodies and sweatshirts, the print included in the price is made by heat transfer in batches of fewer than 100 pcs. It is at most A6 (160 cm²) in size and suits the chest, for example. A larger image, such as a print covering the back, is priced in the quote.

Digital transfer print is the method included in the price for many cotton bags, laptop bags, umbrellas and jackets. On some products, such as speakers, pencil cases and notebooks, the logo is made as a UV DTF sticker: the image printed on film is attached to the surface like a sticker.

Digital print and UV print

In digital printing, the image is printed directly onto the surface of the product without a screen or printing plate. In UV printing, the ink is cured with UV light immediately after printing. Both suit full-colour logos, gradients and images.

In our range, UV print is the method included in the price for many ballpoint pens, power banks and notebooks. Digital print is used for chargers, sticky notes and mirrors, among others, and the logo on a hard safety reflector is printed by screen or digital print. UV print suits hard surfaces, and other methods are used for textiles. Because the price includes a one-colour print, a full-colour image is priced in the quote.

Sublimation print

In sublimation, the ink is transferred with heat onto polyester fabric or a special coating on the product. The image can have many colours, gradients and photographs.

In our range, sublimation is used for lanyards, where the image runs the full length and on both sides, and for mugs coated for sublimation. The background colour of the lanyard comes from the same image, so the colour of the lanyard is chosen together with the image. Beach flag banners are also printed by sublimation.

Sublimation does not suit cotton or an uncoated mug. The base must be light, because the ink does not cover a dark base.

Embroidery

In embroidery, the logo is stitched into the fabric with thread. The method suits jackets, polo shirts, caps and beanies, and our range also includes an embroidered fabric patch. An embroidered logo suits a small area, for example the chest or the front of a cap.

Thin lines, small text and gradients may not show clearly in embroidery, so it is worth using a simple version of the logo.

The price of embroidery depends on the stitch count. The larger and denser the design, the more stitches are needed. The price is also affected by the setup cost and the order quantity. On some jackets and beanies, embroidery is the method included in the price, and for other products its price is given in the quote.

Laser engraving

In laser engraving, a laser beam engraves the logo into the surface of the product. The engraving is not ink printed on the surface, so it does not wear off with use. The method suits metal, such as metal pens, thermos flasks and water bottles, as well as bamboo, wood and cork. In our range, laser engraving is the method included in the price for many pens, bottles, mugs and keyrings, as well as pen stands.

The engraving is one colour, and its shade depends on the material. It therefore does not suit a logo whose colours need to be visible. On wood, bamboo and cork, the shade of the engraving can also vary from one product to another, because natural material varies.

Embossing

In embossing, a die is made from the logo and used to press the design into the material. The logo stands out as a shape in the surface. In our range, embossing is used on leather products, such as keyrings, belts and coasters, as well as seat pads. The embossing area on a leather belt is at most 50 x 20 mm. Some beanies can have an embossed label.

Embossing suits large batches better than small ones, because a die is made for each logo. For example, the pocket model of a seat pad is ordered embossed from 1,000 pcs, while a printed one can be ordered from 100 pcs, and the die is charged separately.

Custom designs

Some products are made entirely to your own design. In custom pins, the colours are made with enamel according to Pantone colours, or the pin is die-struck or cast in metal in a 2D or 3D shape. Medals and coins can have enamel, glitter, UV print or a relief pattern. In a woven lanyard, the pattern is woven into the strap, and there can be up to 12 colours. A PVC keyring can be made in your own shape as a 2D relief or a 3D model.

This method suits cases where you want to decide the shape and colours yourself, for example as a club badge or an event medal. Custom designs are made to order, and the minimum quantity is usually 50 or 100 pcs, so they do not suit a need for just a few pieces.

Quote and proof

In your quote request, tell us the products and quantities, the position and colours of the logo and the delivery date you want. Attach the logo or say that you will send it later. The quote shows the proposed print method, the price including print and the lead time.

Before production, you will receive a print proof to approve. Production starts once the proof has been approved. The lead time for printed products is usually about 2 weeks from proof approval. The lead time for made-to-order products is usually about 4 weeks from proof approval. The exact lead time is given in the quote.