05 Personalisation Techniques PRINTING Printing is the most popular and cost effective technique and can take the format of pad printing (also known as tampo) or screen printing. Pad or tampo printing involves the use of a pad to apply the ink to the product. Screen printing applies the ink via the use of a stencil placed on a porous material screen. ROTARY PRINTING A type of screen printing in which the product is rolled along the screen so that the print covers the circumference of the product, creating a ‘wrap around’ print. TRANSFER PRINTING A printed image is applied to thermal paper which is then transferred to the item via a heat process. This technique is ideal for reproducing four colour process logos onto material based product. LITHO PRINTING Litho printing is a method used to print text or artwork onto paper. The required image is etched onto a metal plate and then transferred to a rubber roller. The image is then taken from the roller and applied to the item. DIGITAL PRINTING Produced using ink jet print machinery. The 4 colours, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, are used in different quantities to produce millions of different colours and shades. It is great for printing photos, four colour process images and more detailed logos DYE SUBLIMATION A unique process where solid dyes are turned into gas and then bond with the polymer molecules in a product. Dye-based inks are printed on special sublimation paper, which is then heat-pressed onto a polyester fabric or polymer-coated product. The heat causes the dye to turn into gas and bond with the surface, transferring the image onto the product. LABEL/DOMING Self-adhesive printed label. For doming add an epoxy dome cover made of polyurethane resin; it’s durable, tough and long lasting. The label and doming process is often used to achieve four colour process logos and can be more cost effective than other printing methods, as it is the same cost regardless of the number of print colours. EMBROIDERY Stitches one or multi-coloured logos onto material products using a needle and strands of thread or yarn. ENGRAVING A very intricate process which involves carving the logo into the item, producing a permanent form of branding. In most cases engraving is performed by specialist computer guided laser engraving machinery. ROTARY ENGRAVING The principle is much the same as standard engraving but specialist machinery enables the item to be rolled as is it marked, allowing the branding to cover the circumference of the item. IRON STAMPING A heated metal dye is pressed into the surface of the item which leaves behind an impression. The impression is then filled with colour. DEBOSSING Debossing is a technique that leaves an impression of the logo on an item. A heated, metal plate is applied to the surface of the item and when removed it leaves behind a recessed imprint. FOIL BLOCKING Similar to debossing (and using the same machinery), foil blocking leaves an imprint in the item, but the difference is that it can add colour to the impression. The colour is added by putting a colour foil between the dye and the product. The most popular colours to use are silver and gold. PVC PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a type of plastic which is easy to mould and can be produced in many colours. A bespoke mould is created incorporating a logo in various shapes and designs and is then filled with the liquid PVC and left to set and harden. Set up costs are low, allowing small order runs.
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