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Pad Print

Pad printing uses a silicone pad to transfer an image to a product from a laser etched printing plate. It is one of the most popular and affordable ways of branding promotional products due to its ability to reproduce images on uneven or curved products and print multiple colours in a single pass.

Advantages

Ideal for printing on curved or uneven products
Close PMS matches are possible on white or light-coloured products
Metallic gold and silver are available

Limitations

Halftones cannot be consistently reproduced
The size of branding areas is limited on curved surfaces
Unable to print variable data
Close PMS matches are more difficult on darker products and will only be approximate
Minor print distortion may occur on uneven or curved surfaces
Pad print inks require a curing period before the product can be shipped
A set up charge is required for each colour to be printed

Sublimation Print

Sublimation print is used for branding products that have a special coating on them or fabrics suitable for the sublimation process. A transfer is produced by printing sublimation ink onto transfer paper and then heat pressing it onto the product.

Advantages

Sublimation ink is actually a dye so there is no ink build-up on the finished print and it looks like part of the product
Ideal for producing vivid full colour images as well as spot colour branding
Can print variable data including individual names (ex-stock only)
Only one set up charge is required irrespective of the number of print colours
The branding can bleed off some products

Limitations

Can only be used for suitable products with white surfaces
Only approximate PMS colours can be reproduced
Some colours cannot be reproduced including metallic silver and gold
When printing large images some minor imperfections may appear in the print or around the edges of it. These are unavoidable
White print is not available

DIRECT DIGITAL

Direct to product digital printing involves the transfer of ink directly from the print heads of an inkjet machine to the product and can be used to produce both spot colour and full colour branding on flat or slightly curved surfaces.

Advantages

Ideal for printing dark coloured products as a layer of white ink can be printed under the artwork
Can print variable data including individual names
Only one set up charge is required irrespective of the number of print colours
Instant drying so products can be shipped immediately
Offers larger print areas on many products and can print very close to the edge of flat products

Limitations

Only approximate PMS colours can be reproduced
Some colours cannot be reproduced including metallic silver and gold
The size of branding areas is limited on curved surfaces
Larger print areas tend to be more expensive

ROTARY DIGITAL PRINT

Direct to product rotary digital printing involves the transfer of UV ink directly from inkjet print heads and can be used to produce both spot colour and full colour branding.

Advantages

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

Limitations

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

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
Individual naming not available

Digital Print

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.

Advantages

Ideal for producing vivid full colour images as well as spot colour branding
Can print variable data including individual names
Only one set up charge is required irrespective of the number of print colours
Can be cut to special shapes
The branding can bleed off the edges of the product

Limitations

Only approximate PMS colours can be reproduced
Metallic gold and silver colours are not available

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving produces a permanent natural finish using a laser to mark the product. Different materials produce different effects when engraved so to avoid uncertainty pre-production samples are recommended.

Advantages

Higher perceived value than other forms of branding
The branding becomes part of the surface and is permanent
Gives a similar finish to etching on glassware at a much lower cost
Can mark curved or uneven products
Can produce variable data including individual names
The product can be shipped as soon as marking is finished

Limitations

Only approximate PMS colours can be reproduced
Some colours cannot be reproduced including metallic silver and gold
The size of branding areas is limited on curved surfaces
Larger print areas tend to be more expensive

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 surface of the product. Some products offer thermo debossing, which creates a stunning two-tone finish.

Advantages

Higher perceived value than other forms of branding
The branding becomes part of the product and is permanent
The product can be shipped as soon as heat pressing is finished
Select products can produce a two-tone finish

Limitations

Unable to print variable data such as individual naming

IMITATION ETCH

Imitation etch is a special pad printing ink used for producing an etch like effect on glass products.

Advantages

Much lower cost than real etching
Can brand curved or uneven products
Produces a subtle, high perceived value finish that looks like etching

Limitations

Halftones cannot be consistently reproduced
The size of branding areas is limited on curved surfaces
Minor print distortion may occur on uneven or curved surfaces
Requires a curing period before the product can be shipped
Unable to print variable data

COLOURFLEX TRANSFER

Colourflex transfers are a CMYK+W digital print process, used for branding apparel and fabrics.

Advantages

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

Limitations

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

DECAL PRINT

VARIABLE DATA

SUPACOLOUR

Supacolour is the latest technology in digital reproduction of logos using the highest quality eco-friendly inks. It can reproduce logos perfectly without a need to compromise.

Advantages

Unlimited colours, high vibrancy and ultra-high detail (finest of text, perfect colour gradients)
Photo reproduction available
Robust! Can be applied across seams and on coarse fabrics
100+ washes, will outlive the product and won’t peel, crack or fade
Limitations

Only approximate PMS colours can be reproduced

SUPASUB

SUPAETCH

SUPAFLEX

Screen Print

Screen printing is achieved by forcing ink through a fine mesh screen with a squeegee onto the product and is ideal for branding flat or cylindrical objects.

Advantages

Large print areas are possible on both flat and cylindrical products
Close PMS matches are possible on white or light-coloured products
Ideal for large solid areas of colour
Most screen print inks are quick drying and can be shipped immediately after printing
Metallic gold and silver are available

Limitations

Halftones and very fine lines are not recommended
Close PMS matches are more difficult on darker products and will only be approximate
Unable to print variable data
A set up charge is required for each colour to be printed

RESIN COATED FINISH

Resin coated finish is produced by printing the artwork onto a vinyl material with strong adhesive on the reverse. The branded area is coated with a crystal-clear resin which is allowed to dry. Once dry, the finished decal is applied to the product and the adhesive forms a permanent bond.

Advantages

Ideal for producing vivid full colour images as well as spot colour branding
Produces a stunning 3D effect that elevates the perceived value of a product
Can print variable data including individual names
Only one set up charge is required irrespective of the number of print colours
Branding can bleed off the resin coated area

Limitations

Only approximate PMS colours can be reproduced
The resin requires a one day curing period before the product can be shipped
Metallic gold and silver colours are not available
Larger print areas tend to be more expensive

DIGITAL LABEL

Digital adhesive labels are used to brand products that cannot be branded with any other method. They are printed with a digital printing press and applied to the product.

Advantages

Ideal for producing vivid full colour images as well as spot colour branding
Can print variable data including individual names
Only one set up charge is required irrespective of the number of print colours
The branding can bleed off the edges of the label

Limitations

Only approximate PMS colours can be reproduced
Metallic gold and silver colours are not available

DIGITAL TRANSFER

Digital transfers are used for branding fabrics and are printed on transfer paper using a digital printing machine then heat pressed onto the product.

Advantages

Cost effective method for producing spot colour or full colour transfers
Crisp, clear artwork reproduction is possible even on textured fabrics
Has a matt finish and will not crack or fade under normal circumstances
Only one set up charge is required irrespective of the number of print colours

Limitations

Only approximate PMS colours can be reproduced
Some colours cannot be reproduced including metallic silver and gold
A thin, clear line of glue can sometimes be seen around the edges of the image