Design Print Decoration Terms

Promotional Products

Expand your company’s brand using a variety of decoration methods for custom promotional products. Below is a list of popular product decoration methods use in the industry and their brief explanation of how they work. Please keep in mind, these processes are different from one another and they required their own individual set-ups when decorating your design or logo on the item. View our Artwork Terms for definitions on logos, designs and layouts use by professionals. View our Marketing Terms & Tips and educate yourself to help your business grow.

Airbrushing

No two products are the same since ink is sprayed on the item by a skilled artist and requires many hours of work. This method is best used on fabrics for example shirts and tote bags. Airbrushing Decoration Example

Appliqué

A piece of fabric is sewn into another base fabric creating a design. This is popular on college sweatshirts. Applique Decoration Example

De Bossing

A 3D version of you logo is created on a block of metal to use as a striking plate. The plate is stamped into the product leaving your logo as an impression. This method is great on higher end products for example leather pad folios. De bossing Decoration Example

Embossing

A 3D version of your logo is created on a block of metal to use as a tricking plate. The plate is placed behind the product and pushed against the material creating a raised version of your logo. This method is great on higher end products for example leather Brief Bags. Embossing Decoration Example

Embroidery

Using colored thread a special sewing machine stitches your logo into the material for example polo shirts or jackets using a computer file called a “tape” of your logo. This file tells the machine where to insert the needle and what shapes to create. This decoration method is best used in high quality products like corporate apparel and baseball caps. “Tape” charges are separate. Embroidery Decoration Example

Engraving, Etching or Laser Engraving

Using a diamond tip, acid solutions or lasers the machine shaves of a small portion of the surface of the product embedding your logo in it. This method is great on metal products like pens or key chains given them a more classy look and feel to them. Laser Engraving - Etching Decoration Example
Pre-shaped metal medallions are filled with colored enamel inks filling portions of the medallion and leaving exposed metal for a medallion emblem looking application. Then the medallion is glued using strong decorating adhesive onto the product. This method is best used on pins or emblems used on backpacks or handbags. Enamel Decoration Example

Epoxy Domes

Your logo is printed on high quality shaped paper and a clear epoxy dome is overlaid over the paper giving your logo a sleek look to it. The epoxy dome is then glued using strong adhesives to the product. This method is best used for notebooks or portfolios. Epoxy Dome Decoration Example
Shapes include:
ED-1 Small Oval 2 7/8" x 1 3/8"
ED-2 Large Oval 4" x 2 1/8"
ED-3 Small Rectangle 3 1/4" x 1 3/4"
ED-4 Circle 2 1/4" diameter
ED-5 Square 2" x 2"

Medallions, Metal Stamping, Steel Threads

Your logo is carved out into a mold using a complex computer software, them the mold is used to cast a metal medallion. Different metals can be used and finishes can be applied. Matte Silver, Antique Silver, Antique Brass, and Pearl Nickel are available. Metal Stamping Decoration Example

Common Steel Threads sizes:
ST-1 Small Circle 1 1/2" diameter
ST-2 Large Circle 2" diameter
ST-3 Small Rectangle 3" x 1"
ST-4 Large Rectangle 3" x 1 1/2"
ST-5 Small Oval 2 5/8" x 1 1/8"
ST-6 Large Oval 2 1/2" x 1 5/8"
ST-7 Jumbo Oval 3 3/4" x 1 7/8"
ST-8 Small Square 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"
ST-9 Large Square 2" x 2"

Molded Rubber or PVC Patches, 3D Logos

You logo is recreated using different colored rubbers or PVC material and glued together to create a composite of your logo. This product then gets glued onto your product of choice. This is best used as a patch or key chain application. Rubber PVC Patch Decoration Example
Common Logo 3D sizes:
3D-1 Small Rectangle 3 1/8" x 1 5/8"
3D-2 Large Oval 3 7/8" x 2"
3D-3 Small Oval 2 1/2" x 1 5/8"
3D-5 Large Rectangle 4" x 2 3/8"

Pad Printing

A soft plate is used to transfer your logo to irregular shapes like pens, mugs and golf balls. Pad Printing Decoration Example

Screen Printing

Using special framed screen like your window at home are used. A mask us generated using special chemicals that is applied on the screen. Ink them get’s pushed through the screen leaving ink on the product is the shape if the mask (your logo). Multiple screens are required for each color. There are several types of screen printing; Spot, Process or Index. These methods are best used on garments for examples shirts and hats. Spot Printing Decoration Example | Process Printing Decoration Example | Index Printing Decoration Example

Stamping, Hot Stamping, Foil Stamping or Color Stamping

Similar to a regular hobby stamp, a large stamp die is created from your logo design. Special colored materials (foils) is placed between the stamp and the product, then pressed into the item using the die. Stamping is ideal for leather or vinyl products for example wallets or binder covers. Stamping Decoration Example

Sublimation, dye Sublimation

A printing process using small heating elements to evaporate pigments from a carrier film, depositing these smoothly onto a surface. Sometimes used to reproduce full color logo graphics and photos onto products like mouse pads, mugs, or nylon banners. Dye Sublimation Decoration Example