The different types of markings for promotional items and goodies
There are many ways to put your logo on a promotional item. Discover the many and varied techniques available to personalize your promotional items.
SCREEN PRINTING
One of the most common methods used in the promotional field is screen printing, in which ink is applied to the surface to be marked using a stencil. The stencil takes the shape of the desired design or logo.
Theink is prepared according to the Pantone color chart, so as to match the desired color as closely as possible. For any additional color, the printer makes a second stencil.
This marking technique has a long history: it was invented in China around the 11th century.
It was then exported to the United States in the 19th century when Chinese immigrants arrived in the country. Marking was later popularized by great artists such as Andy Warhol.
ADVANTAGES : This process provides long-lasting, high-quality marking.
DISADVANTAGES: Screen printing is generally used for large quantities. Calibrating the stencil & the marking area is a tedious & time-consuming process, which generates technical costs.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: Personalized Frisbee, promotional stress ball, etc
PAD PRINTING
Pad printing is a universal marking method that is the most widely used in the world of promotional products. This is logical, since it can be adapted to virtually any type of substrate. The cliché isprinted directly onto a product using a silicone pad via a very thin film of ink. Thanks to the shape of the pad, it's possible to print products with different shapes: flat, cylindrical, angular, etc.
Pad printing officially dates back to 17th-century England, where it was used to decorate ceramic plates. It wasn't until the 1960s-70s that this type of marking became popular with the advent of the silicone & rubber pad, enabling a significant reduction in cost per piece.
ADVANTAGES marking is fast and precise for all volumes and surfaces.
DISADVANTAGES: The marking area is smaller than with other marking methods for technical reasons (stamp size).
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: Personalized domino game, promotional flask, promotional notepad..
LASER MARKING OR ENGRAVING
Engraving is achieved using a laser beam. The light from the beam is projected through an optical lens onto the high-density substrate, resulting in a slight indentation of the promotional object. This type of marking requires very precise repetition of the beam.
ADVANTAGES marking is indelible, adding real value to the goodies and/or gifts. Marking is also very precise.
DISADVANTAGES: Laser marking is only possible on certain types of material, such as wood, aluminum or metal, because of its marking power.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: Personalized aluminum key-ring, promotional steel flask, promotional external telephone battery, etc
EMBROIDERY MARKING
Exclusively reserved for textile materials, embroidery is a must for promoting a brand or company in a lasting way on garments or textile accessories. There are many different types of embroidery.
ADVANTAGES high-quality rendering thanks to the volume and texture of the embroidery.
DISADVANTAGES: Embroidery requires a high cost of implementation and human resources, which is why the cost per piece is higher than for flocking.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: Personalized shirt, logo bag, promotional cap.
OTHER TYPES OF EMBROIDERY
BOUCLETTE
Bouclette embroidery combines softness, relief and an assured emphasis on your logo. This type of marking is ideal for lettering personalization. This technique differs from classic embroidery in its chain stitches and wider thread.
3D
L3D embroidery gives your logo a pronounced relief. Particularly used for cap personalization, the small advantage of this technique is its its durability over time. A foam between the fabric and the thread guarantees logo visibility.
STICKER MARKING
This promotional medium is thin and interchangeable, making it easy to renew the advertising message according to what's new, what's in season, and so on. There are several types in terms of quality and purpose: from simple stickers to doming (resin-coated stickers).
There are opaque stickers, transparent stickers, scented stickers, repositionable stickers, fluorescent stickers, reflective stickers, phosphorescent stickers, metallized stickers, die-cut stickers, thermo-adhesive stickers, varnished stickers and micro-perforated stickers. The size of this promotional item is also highly expandable if required.
ADVANTAGES : This means of communication is very affordable, and allows for a high degree of personalization. In addition, production times are very short.
DISADVANTAGES: Depending on the personalized object, the finish may appear less qualitative than marking directly on the product.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: Advertising magnet, personalized car, promotional window display, etc
FLOCK OR HEAT TRANSFER/NUMERIC MARKING
This process uses special inks and dedicated printers to transfer the digital motif onto the chosen substrate.
The design is printed on an intermediate substrate specially designed for digital transfer. This is usually transfer paper or transfer film. The pattern is printed with pigmented or sublimation inks. The intermediate substrate with the motif is placed on the surface of the final substrate (e.g. a cotton t-shirt). This is followed by a heat press (145 c°) is used to apply uniform pressure and heat to the intermediate substrate. This heat activates the pattern inks, transforming them into gas and allowing them to penetrate the fibers of the final substrate. After hot-pressing, the intermediate substrate is removed, leaving the pattern transferred to the final substrate. The pattern is now integrated into the substrate, making it durable and washable.
BENEFITS : Even more precise than direct digital printing, this method delivers HD branding and excellent color fidelity, even with numerous shades and gradations. Four-color printing with resolution up to 1440 DPI.
DISADVANTAGES marking may fade over time with repeated washing.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL ITEMS personalized plush toys, promotional t-shirts, personalized jackets, etc.
SUBLIMATION MARKING
Dye sublimation works from a specially designed printer with dye sublimation ink. The imprint is printed on a special transfer paper. Under the effect of heat, the ink gasifies and is assimilated by the communication medium. The ink cools on contact with the substrate and solidifies.
This type of promotional printing is reserved for polyester textiles or hard substrates previously treated with polyester varnish.
ADVANTAGES high-quality results for complex visuals, such as photos. Costs are low for four-color process printing, as all colors are printed in a single pass, unlike pad printing or screen printing.
DISADVANTAGES: Generally speaking, sublimation is not very scratch-resistant.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: Promotional mug, personalized case, promotional flag, personalized cushion..
HYDROGRAPHIC TRANSFER MARKING
Immersion branding involves immersing the promotional item in a dipping tank, where a film printed on the surface of the water has already been applied. Once the promotional object is in contact with the water, the film is applied to the curves of the advertising product.
This method can be used on metals, glass, plastic or hardwood. Generally speaking, hydrographic marking can be applied to all materials that can be soaked in water without damage.
ADVANTAGES marking perfectly matches the shape of the advertising object, known as 3D marking.
DISADVANTAGES: The marking process is generally manual, which means that variable costs tend to be high.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: Personalized water bottle, advertising lightbox, etc
REACTIVE MARKING
This type of branding involves dyeing the textile material directly, rather than applying a mark to it. The marking is indelible, and forms an integral part of the communication medium.
ADVANTAGES the result is completely personalized, with impeccable print quality.
DISADVANTAGES: This communication process requires large production quantities.
EXAMPLES OF ADVERTISING OBJECTS: Customizable towels, all kinds of customizable textiles...etc.
IN-MOLD MARKING
In-Mould personalization enables the visual to be integrated directly into the communication medium during the manufacture of the goodies. This type of printing relies onplastic injection to insert the visual into the heart of the product.
ADVANTAGES promotional graphics won't fade over time.
DISADVANTAGES: In Mould can only be used on plastic surfaces.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: Promotional lunchboxes, personalized trays, etc
EPHEMERAL BRANDING
Very much in vogue with major brands, ephemeral branding is on the increase. The aim of this type of promotion is to print a message that will disappear over time.
ADVANTAGES the message is generally high-impact, as this type of communication is relatively recent.
DISADVANTAGES: The ephemeral nature of this type of printing is both its great strength and its main drawback. Adapt to the objectives of your advertising campaign.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: Advertising tattoos, personalized clean tags, etc.
LENTICULAR MARKING
A lenticular print is a modified image, composed of a set of images, which can be viewed viewed differently depending on the object's orientation.
ADVANTAGES : This process adds life to the marking. It gives the illusion of movement. This can be applied to all types of objects.
DISADVANTAGES: Lenticular marking requires at least a hundred parts, depending on the object, to cover design and technical costs.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: promotional magnet, lenticular cup, promotional key ring.
MARKING DIGITAL PRINTING
Digital printing involves spraying droplets of ink onto an advertising object, the marking drying rapidly after exposure to UV light.
ADVANTAGES this technique is perfectly suited to multi-color logos on small production runs production runs (less expensive than other forms of marking). This method can be adapted to several types of substrate: paper, plastic, etc. Flat or slightly curved surfaces are preferred.
DISADVANTAGES: The texture of the print appears less qualitative than other types of printing such as screen printing.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: personalized communication labels, advertising enclosures, business cards, etc.
GOTS INK PRINTING
This marking technique has the advantage of reducing its impact on the environment. Printing with GOTS ink contains no solvents, which reduces the release of volatile organic compounds. Recommended for the personalization of organic textiles for a clean, long-lasting finish.
ADVANTAGES: GOTS sets strict standards to ensure fair and decent working conditions in the textile industry. It is particularly well suited to organic and sustainable textiles, including organic cotton, linen, hemp and other natural fibers, as the inks effectively resist washing, prolonging the durability and quality of garments and textiles.
DISADVANTAGES : Installing GOTS ink printing equipment can be costly due to the high price of the inks and equipment required compared to conventional inks, making this technique less accessible. In addition, GOTS ink printing is generally limited in terms of vivid colors and shades.
EMBOSSED/DEBOSSED MARKING
Embossing consists in reproducing a logo, design or other type of communication through a hot press on leather or imitation leather products.
This technique can also be complemented by the application of a color to the embossed area, adding color to the personalization.
ADVANTAGES gives relief to your promotional items, making them look good for business gifts business gifts or for your company's employees, for example. Unique 3D rendering. Possibility of adding gold or silver.
DISADVANTAGES: Embossing is not always available, as it requires rather specific and expensive equipment. Marking tends to be rather discreet, which goodies specialists will greatly appreciate (non-intrusive).
EXAMPLES OF ADVERTISING OBJECTS: personalized key rings, advertising diaries, branded wallets.
FIRING / FIRING MARKING
Firing stamping is used with inks specially designed for firing, and therefore ideal for glass, ceramics or porcelain. There are 2 types of firing: low-temperature, for personalization in up to 10 colors, or high-temperature, for greater marking durability, but which involves printing in black and/or white.
ADVANTAGES: This type of stamping can be used to create complex, detailed logos. The texture of the marking is very pleasant to the touch.
DISADVANTAGES: This type of marking is more expensive than other types of personalization, as it requires more time and equipment. We are also limited toheat-resistant materials for baking.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: printed mug, glass with logo, promotional plate.
HYDROGLAZE MARKING
Hydroglaze allows you to spray a pantone color of your choice, with a matte or gloss finish , on glass, ceramics or porcelain.
ADVANTAGES : This type of marking allows you to personalize an advertising object almost entirely to the colors of your brand and/or company.
DISADVANTAGES: This marking technique is not widely known and is generally reserved for custom-made products. The minimum order required is generally quite high for this type of personalization.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: personalized mug, logoed glass, communication plate...
SANDBLASTING / MARQUAGE SABLÉ
Sandblasting is the process of sandblasting a surface with a relief effect. This technique is ideal for glass, ceramics or porcelain.
ADVANTAGES: This type of marking provides a high level of detail. The tactile texture is highly appreciated, adding value to the promotional object.
DISADVANTAGES: This type of marking is only available on certain surfaces. It's a rather atypical marking that we only offer on certain references.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: personalized glass, promotional carafe, personalized mug, promotional tumbler
SCREENROUND / ALLOVER MARKING
This type of marking is identical in principle to screen printing, except that the product rotates on itself during printing. Virtually all surfaces can be personalized with this type of marking: PLA, ABS, PP, paper, metal, stainless steel...etc.
ADVANTAGES: This type of stamping makes it possible to personalize curved surfaces all around the advertising object, while remaining fairly economical in terms of cost.
DISADVANTAGES: We are limited in terms of color for this type of marking, as it is very difficult to calibrate the machines during the different passes for each personalization color.
EXAMPLES OF PROMOTIONAL OBJECTS: advertising gourd, personalized cup, logo pen.
PRINTING STYLES
Glitter: This glitter-based personalization technique offers a flashy way to show off your logo.
Reflective: A technique that makes your logo visible day and night thanks to the reflection of light, a personalization often affixed to children's clothing for safety on their journey to and from school.
Metallic: A print that gives your logo a shiny, metallic effect. A relief that can be gold or silver on textile parts.
Camouflage: This technique gives your logo a "commando" effect, the principle being to use the color of your logo or your charter to give a camouflage effect around or inside your logo.
Phosphorescent: Night and day visibility through silk-screening or transfer of phosphorescent ink that feeds on ambient light, which it then restores in the dark, for a logo that's visible in the darkest of places.
Fluorescent: Transfer or screen-print your logo's colors onto textiles. Only 4 colors available: green, pink, yellow, orange.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MARKING?
Communication via media objects is a real asset for companies, associations and other establishments. This fully-fledged communications medium has many advantages:
- Useful and unobtrusive, it is highly appreciated by consumers
- Highly visible, it stays in customers' minds for a long time
- Low cost per person
- Creates an emotional bond between a company and its customers
However, finding the right goodies to represent your company and meet your objectives is not always easy. Many factors come into play, starting with the choice of the right branding. This will depend on :
- the shape of the object
- its material
- the budget
- the urgency of the project
- quantity required
- shelf life
Choosing a promotional item that matches the values of your company or association means first and foremost defining precise objectives.
Marketing Créationwe'll support you throughout your project, giving you all the advice you need and all the questions you need to ask yourself to ensure the success of your communication campaign
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