Monthly Archives: December 2013

In this article we will outline the most popular imprint methods used in the promotional products industry.

Screen Print: By far, the most common imprint method is a screen print. Screen printing is a spot color imprint method. This means that the artwork can have one or more colors, but the graphic consists of solid colors that can be “separated”. Artwork that is screen printed cannot have shading or halftones, and should be one-dimensional. My company’s logo would be a good example of a graphic that could be screen printed as 3 spot colors and how a screen print looks on a USB flash drive:

Screen printing is an economical way to highlight your logo in vivid color on bags, pens, drinkware, and promo products of all kinds.

4-Color Process: This decoration method is used for artwork that is photographic in nature. 4-color process uses very fine halftones and an expanded color range to capture the finest details and sharpness of the design. 4-color process is expensive but if your artwork is photographic than this option will yield optimal results.

Here is an example of a 4-color process imprint on an insulated tote bag and a sport bottle:

Heat Transfer: This decoration method utilizes heat to press (transfer) your imprint into the product material. Heat transfer can be done on many materials and is also used for photographic artwork. This method is less expensive than 4-color process for printing full-color artwork quickly, and therefore is a good option if available.

Deboss: Deboss is a classic imprint method that allows you to leave an impression of your logo onto a material’s surface. This is a popular imprint method for leather or suede products. A die is created and then heat-pressed into the material. A standard deboss uses no color at all. Here is an example of a standard deboss on a travel bag:

A standard deboss is perfect for people who desire a subtle logo appearance – such as when you are using the promotional product as a corporate gift or holiday gift. You want to remind your customer or client who gave you this terrific gift, but it’s not necessarily a marketing tool where you would want your logo to “pop”.

Color Stamp: Another type of deboss is a color stamp. Simple one-color designs are enhanced when a die is used to apply colored foil to a material’s surface. Here is an example of a color stamp on a journal book:

Color Fill: Yet another type of deboss method, first your logo is color stamped onto the material, and then followed by a deboss, with the same die. This method is available only on vinyl patches.

Laser Engrave: This is another very popular imprint method if you would like to achieve a classy, subtle look. Laser engrave gives your logo a clean, polished appearance by precisely etching the artwork into the materials surface. This method is used on metal materials.

Here are examples of a laser etch on a brass pen and a money clip:

Embroidery: This is a traditional method of decorating material with needle and thread. Embroidery gives a “high end” look to your logo but it’s a more expensive decoration method. The cost to embroider your logo is based on the artwork and the item to be embroidered. You must submit your artwork for a stitch count and a custom quote can be created to determine your order costs. Embroidery is often used on apparel.

Here is an example of embroidery on a blanket and a baseball cap:

If you have any questions about this article please contact us at promos@buypromosonline.com.

Ordering custom or imprinted promotional products can be confusing. There’s a lot of terminology used when you shop for promos online, and the average consumer will often not understand what these charges are.

In this article I will break down the common terminology and decoration charges. The most frequent question I am asked is: what does the phrase “price includes a one color, one location imprint” mean? This is a standard industry phrase, but it is misleading. There are two main decoration charges involved with most orders: set-up charge and run charge. The above phrase would lead you to believe that your first imprint is completely free or included in the unit price. But the phrase is actually referring to your first color/location run charge is free. You will still have a set-up charge. Here is how it works:

Set-Up Charge: This charge is incurred for every color and/or location imprint. For most decoration methods a “plate” or “screen” must be created to apply your custom imprint/logo to the product. This is the set-up charge. If you have more than one color in your imprint, a plate or screen must be created for each color. For the most common imprint method – a screenprint – each color will be applied to the product one at a time. Most suppliers charge a set-up charge. Exact re-orders within a stated time period (usually 1-2 years) will have a reduced or free re-order set-up charge. There is no set or standardized set-up charge. This charge varies across products and suppliers.

Run Charge: If you are printing in more than one color or side, you will incur this charge. A run charge is a per unit charge, unlike a set-up charge which is based on how many plates or screens are required. For example: if you are printing on one side in two colors = you will have one run charge per unit (remember: your first run charge is included). If the run charge is $0.20 cents and you are ordering 100 units, your add-on cost is $20.00. Using this same order example but adding the 2 color imprint to the second side of the product, you will now have three run charges per unit = one run charge for the first side, second color, and two additional run charges for the two colors on the other side. Your add-on cost is now $60.00.

PMS Color Match: All suppliers offer stock (free) imprint colors. Some suppliers will match any imprint color at no charge. However, many more suppliers charge a PMS color match charge if you want or need to print in a specific color that is not a stock imprint color. “PMS” stands for pantone matching system. A PMS color is defined by a mixture of inks that will result in a specific color. Colors in this system are numerical. For example: your logo is red and the PMS color red is 186. The supplier offers PMS 185 as a stock imprint color. If you cannot or do not want to use this closest match, you will pay the PMS color match charge to print in PMS 186. It is important to know that you will incur this charge for every PMS match that you need, and you will incur this charge every time you re-order. The reason for this is simple: the supplier must mix the inks to achieve your color each time you order.

Ink Change Charge: An ink change charge is applied when you are printing the same artwork on assorted colors of a product. For example: you have ordered 500 tote bags and 250 are white and 250 are black. You want to print your logo in white on the black bag, and your logo in black on the white bag. In this scenario you will incur the ink change charge.

The above four charges are the most common decoration charges you will encounter when ordering promotional products.

We are always happy to assist customers in any way we can. If you have any questions about this article please email us at promos@buypromosonline.com

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/885114

You’ve decided to spend some money purchasing custom gifts to promote your business. Congratulations! Being proactive with advertising is the best way to bring more business to your doorstep. Maybe you have had some experience buying promotional products in the past or maybe not. Today it is easier than ever to use the World Wide Web for entertainment, information and shopping. Shopping for promotional products on the web can also be an easy and quick way to buy custom gifts without ever leaving the comforts of your living room or office!

There are more and more items being sold in the promotional advertising world than ever before. Long gone are the days of pens, magnets and key fobs. If you want your money to work for you, you must give away something that the customer or prospective customer will find useful. Hence, if the item gets used your company brand will surely be close at hand or lending itself to maximum exposure. Finding the right gift however is not easy. Not only do you have to come up with something that is useful, creative and has perceived value, but you must also consider such factors as budget and time frame. If you don’t have an exact gift in mind try clicking around some websites that offer many categories of products to browse from. Define your search farther by searching by brand or price range.

Many promotional items are made overseas. Some suppliers will ship stock to the United States and do the imprinting domestically. Other suppliers manufacture and imprint everything overseas. Others still do a mixture of both depending on time frame, size of order and flexibility of the customer to save a few bucks by waiting longer.

There exists literally hundreds of competing ecommerce businesses vying for your patronage. Find a few sites you like and compare products and information. Contact each company for a quote and be sure to get all the necessary details. When shopping for imprinted or custom gifts be sure to know the following: 1. When is the current price valid through? 2. What is production and shipping time? 3. Explain your imprint or logo and ask for a price breakdown to imprint it. Even better still – ask if you can submit your artwork for an art review to confirm it’s usable. 4. Will you receive some sort of art proof to approve before production? 5. Will you receive an order acknowledgement once your place your order online? 6. Be sure to mention if you have a deadline as rush charges may be applied.

In the end you will find that many competitors are out there trying to sell you the same products. If all else is equal with price and meeting your time frame, go with the company that provides you the best customer service, as this is most likely the company that will indeed deliver what you want and when you need it!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/880151