Various Branding Methods
The prices illustrated on all our promotional products on www.promotionalgift.net.au include a 1 colour and 1 position branding of your logo.  So whether it be engraved corporate gifts, printed pens or embroided shirts, the price is there for you. However there is alway more than 1 option or more colour or more position to brand, so just let us know and we can revise a quote specific to your requirements.

Below we will explain the types of branding methods and how it differs from promotional merchandise to merchandise.

Pad Printing 
Is the most common form of branding and can be seen everywhere. Some examples include the computer keyboard you are using now.  Pad printing is generally applied to flat consistent surfaces.  Some metal surfaces can also be pad printed however certain metal surfaces may only be engraved as the print may rub off over time - and that's not what we want! 

Pad printing on promotional items is popular form of branding as compared to other print types, it is the most economical, and it allows our client to select any shade of colour from the Pantone colour range.

Pad printing involves a technican creating a hard polymer or steel plate, this is the plate where the image / logo is to be printed. Hence a Pad Printing set-up cost between $75 - $85 is charged.  This is a once off creation for each image.  Once the plate is created a pad (hence the name pad printing) is then pressed against the plate which will be dipped in ink.  The pad is then pressed against the item and the ink is then allowed to set which may take a day or two.   Note when printing in two or more colours, the process is extended as the 1st colour is applied and waited for drying before the 2nd colour is applied to the branded product.

Items which are suitable for pad printing include: Promotional Branded Pens / Personalised Frisbees / Promotional flashlights / Customised confectioneries such as Mints, M&Ms and Jelly beans / Branded Wrist Bands / Personalised Stress Balls and many more.

(below is an image of a typical pad printing machine and an example of a pad print)

Laser Engraving
Laser engraving is a elegant way of presenting your company logo on to a metal surface.  It provides a subtle finish and is long lasting.  Common examples of laser engraved promotional products include Custom branded Metal Pens, Corporate Gifts, Aluminum Business Card Holders, Promotional Stainless Steel Mugs, Promotional Metal USBs.

Laser Engraving as mentioned above offers superior print durability to Pad Printing.  The main reason is that the logo or text is physically indented into the metal as opposed to Pad Printing where ink sits on the surface of the branded product.  Laser Engraving is not recomended on plastic surfaces as the result is unpredictable and generally undesirable.  

Laser engraving is generally done via a complex computer system and executed via a laser engraving machine which traces your logo image onto a surface with a laser beam.  The process is incredibly accurate and the high energy literally vapourizes a surface to create your image.

A set-up cost of $85 applies in most instances to cover the required trial and error process, cost of labour as well as setting up the machinery for this process. This process is generally more expensive than Pad Printing but has a shorter lead time.

Items suitable for laser engraving include: Branded Metal Pen / Promotional Metal Keychains / Personalised Metal Coasters / Promotional USB Flashdrives / Promotional MP3s / Branded Computer Mouse / Branded Parker Pens and more!

Embroidery
This is another common form of branded is generally used on fabric products such as Promotional T shirts, Custom Branded Backpacks. 

In promotional apparrel we use a process involving machine embroidery.  This allows for precise accurate stitches to create an image.  Embroidery designs are converted digitally via software.  This software not only allows for the image to be replicated but can allow for "fills," which can allow for texture to create a 3-D feel and look.  

A set-up costs is generally applied at around $50 which covers the cost of labour, trial and error as well as the digitizing process for embroidery. Where in our range of promotional items we have included the cost of embroidery on to the product, this has been allowed for upto 5000 stitches.  Generally there higher the stitch count, the larger or more complex the logo which will incur additional cost. 

Benefits of embroidery is the durability of the image, enables more than 1 colour ie full colour and it looks great!  The main disadvatage is that embroidery only works well for small areas due to cost and the physical limitations of setting a machine to brand large areas.  Therefore we recomend embroidery at no more than 10 cm generally.

Items suitable for embroidery include: Personalised Caps / Promotional Branded Hoodies / Branded T-shirts / Customised polo shirts / Customised bags / Promotional bucket hats / Customised Scarves / Branded Beanies and much more!

Screen Printing
This method is used once again to brand fabric.  Therefore it can be applied to all items where embroidery can be used.  The main advantage is that this branding method can be applied to large areas more easily and at a lower cost than embroidery. Some common examples include branding on the front and back of promotional T shirts or promotional non woven bags and branded calico bags.  

Screen printing generally incurs a set up fee of $75 to create a screen for the image to be doused in ink.  Specifically a woven mesh is created where your image is blocked therefore allowing your image to be transferred through the mesh.  You may have tried it back in high school in textiles & design classes!

The disadvantage with screen printing is that the ink does fade over time in the washing machine.  However the advantages of this method is that we are able to brand on large areas and with modern techniques we are able to apply strong vibrant colours and even multiple colours which enhances the aesthetic of garments.  A 4 colour or full colour process is also possible.  Modern techniques even allow for metallic and shimmering glitter effects too.

Items suitable for screen printing include: Personalised T-shirts / Customised Polo Shirts / Branded Caps / Promotional Back Sacks / Branded Conference Bags / Customised Calico bags / Branded Tote Bags and Branded Mousepads .

Plastisol Transfer
Plastisol Transfer is enable to print multiple spot colour transfer. It can transfer full colour images and photos onto your promotional garments.

The difference between Plastisol Transfer and above screen printing is that the ink is much thicker. Plastic transfer looks more distinct and print wider area however texture is tougher than screen print finish.  Plastisol Transfer use heat to transfer images, therefore only heat resistant items can be used.

 









Sublimation Printing

Embossing
Embossing is the process of creating a three-dimensional image or design. It can be accomplished with a combination of heat and pressure.  Foil stamping technique is used in embossing. This technique of printing is recommended for garment clothing accessories, plastic, leather, rubber, metal, carbon fiber, glass, ceramic and wood.

Items which are suitable for foil stamping include Promotional Personalised wrist bands , Custom Stress Balls, branded Wristband USB flashdrive , Branded logo Compendiums and more!