THE COMPLETE MARKETER’S GUIDE TO DECORATION TECHNIQUES

Our professional and experienced team can provide you with the best choice of branding our extensive range of unique gift ideas, ensuring that your Company image will be represented with the longevity and lustre that it deserves.

Our entire range of products may be branded with your Company’s logo or message. Below are some of the more popular decoration techniques which are outlined in plain language terms, ensuring that our customers are informed as to the many options available.

BADGING
A process whereby a badge is produced by the weaving of a label, custom casting metals or rubber moulding. The badge is then applied to the product by either sewing, riveting or adhesive. Items that commonly have badges applied include: baseball caps, bags, compendiums, etc.

BLIND EMBOSSING
A process whereby a die is pressed into the surface of the material, resulting in a tone on tone impression of your logo. This process is usually performed on genuine leather and bonded leather products. Items that are commonly embossed include leather: compendiums, wine carriers, passport wallets, business card holders, etc.

CASTING
A process whereby a metal is cast to shape. The metal may then be plated, paint filled and/or epoxy coated. Items commonly custom cast include metal: badges, keyrings, lapel pins, cufflinks, tie bars, etc.

DIGITAL PRINTING
A full colour print process that is commonly used on short run print jobs, due to its low set up costs. Items may be printed directly or onto a transfer which is then applied to the product. Items that are commonly digitally printed include mouse mats, coasters, t-shirts, etc.

EMBROIDERY
A process whereby a computerised embroidery machine stitches colour threads into the material resulting in a stitched version of your logo. Automated embroidery machines are capable of decorating multiple items at the same time. This process can be performed on most fabrics including cotton, canvas, nylon, polyester, wool, etc. Items that are commonly embroidered include: caps, shirts, jackets, bags, etc.

EMBROIDERY – 3D
A process whereby a rubberised material is placed between the item to be decorated and the embroidery stitching; resulting in a 3D effect of your logo. This process is generally performed on baseball caps made from fabrics including: cotton, polyester, corduroy, etc.

ETCHING
A process whereby a protective film mask is made. The residual unprotected area is then etched by the use of acid etching or sand blasting, resulting in a two dimensional tone on tone impression of your logo. This process is generally performed on glass and crystal.  Items that are commonly etched include: beer glasses, wine glasses, wine bottles, etc.

LASER ENGRAVING
A process whereby a computerised engraving machine, utilises laser technology to cut into the coated surface; or burn an impression into the surface of the material. This process is usually performed on brass, stainless steel, aluminium and other metals; resulting in a contrasting or subtle finish, depending on the metal and its coating. Items that are commonly laser engraved include metal: car mugs, keyrings, pens, etc.

LITHOGRAPHIC / OFFSET PRINTING
A highly automated, cost effective, high run, full colour print process; generally used to print on paper and cardboard. Items that are commonly offset printed include mouse mats, coasters, calendars, letter head, brochures, etc.

PAD / TAMPO PRINTING
A process whereby ink is applied directly to the surface of the product via a flexible silicon pad, leaving a colour print to substrates of plastic, metal (including coated metals), vinyl, polyurethane, leather, glass, aluminium, stainless steel, wood, etc. This process is suited to producing small intricate designs onto irregular shaped items such as: golf balls, pens, stress toys, etc.

PLASTIC WELDING
A process whereby a plastic is coloured and moulded into the shape of your logo before being applied to the item.  This process is generally performed on baseball caps made from fabrics including: cotton, polyester, etc.

SCREEN PRINTING / SILK SCREENING
A process whereby ink is passed through a fine mesh screen, leaving a colour print on the surface of the material. This process is usually performed on flat large areas of canvas, cotton, polyester, ceramics, plastics, etc. Items that are commonly screen printed include: t-shirts, polo shirts, compendiums, rulers, etc.

SUBLIMATION PRINTING
A process whereby specialised inks are printed into a paper substrate which is then applied to the item using heat and pressure. The inks then implode onto the material leaving behind the printed image without transfer material remaining, ensuring that the print will not crack or peel. Items that are sublimation printed include fabric based product such as: mouse mats, coasters, bar runners, etc.

TRANSFER / DECAL PRINTING
A process where by ink is printed onto a transfer material such as paper. The transfer or decal is produced via screen printing, digital printing or lithographic printing processes; and is then applied to the product generally using heat and pressure. This is commonly used to achieve single or full colour images onto items such as t-shirts, caps, coffee mugs, glassware, etc.

WEAVING
A process whereby different colour threads are used during the manufacture of fabric to produce a pattern or logo in the fabric. Items that are commonly woven include: badge labels, neck ties, socks, etc.

Disclaimer.

Adimage Promotions Pty Ltd has produced this material as a general guide only and in no way claims that the information above is technical data of any kind. Whist every effort has been made to ensure that this guide is accurate & correct, Adimage Promotions Pty Ltd may not be held liable for any advice taken from the above information. Printed logos, marks or messages are for demonstration purposes only. Adimage Promotions Pty Ltd does not claim to have supplied any of the articles depicted herein to any of the owners of the marks or logos shown or be endorsed in any way by them. 

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