Product Decoration Guide
Using promotional products is a powerful way to market your business. There are endless options when it comes to choosing the right product – but what about choosing the right decoration technique to showcase your brand? With the right decoration choice, your promotional products can help further your brand recognition and prominence. Below we will spotlight the common (and not so common) techniques available to help you stand apart when it comes to your branded merchandise.
- Screen Print: in screen printing, a mesh screen is used to transfer ink onto an item. Screen printing is ordinarily used on apparel, drinkware, plastic, wood, etc.
- Dye-sublimation: This process allows a full or multiple color, luminous print. When being used on apparel, dye sublimation ink is embedded into the fibers of the clothing. This allows highly detailed graphics to be used on products.
- Embroidery: this method uses a needle to apply thread or yarn to an item. This is most commonly is done by a machine, but can also be done by hand. Embroidery is frequently used on apparel and fabric.
- Heat Transfer: similar to dye sublimation in that this technique allows for highly vivid printing, this process transfers a thermal wax transfer to an object. Unlike dye-sublimation though, the heat transfer is not embedded into the fabric of the item.
- Pad Print: pad printing uses ink and transfers a two dimensional image onto a three dimensional item. This is frequently used on round or curved items like bottles, drinkware or pens.
- Laser Engraving or Etching: laser engraving is actually the removal from the item to leave behind the logo or text. Materials such as wood, glass, metal and plastic can be laser engraved. There is even laser decoration available for apparel now!
- Debossing: debossing is when an image is imprinted into a piece creating a depth within the item. Once debossed you can leave the depressed imprint as is, or it can be filled in with ink or foil. Debossing is used on leather, metal, paper, and fabric. This method creates a vibrant effect on dark colored items.
- Embossing:  the opposite of debossing, the method of embossing creates a raised effect on the surface of the product. This works well if you have very fine detail in your graphic. A good example of embossing is the raised effect you see on a credit card. Similar to debossing, embossing can be used on metal, leather, textiles, paper, and other similar substances.
- Hot Foil: most commonly seen on paper bags, invitations, greeting cards and envelopes, foil stamping is similar to engraving, where compression is used to apply color to paper products.
Now that you have a more in-depth understanding of the different promotional product decoration techniques available, this information should help you in choosing which method is best for your branded merchandise. Remember, a well-perceived marketing product has many facets, including quality, price, ROI, usefulness and it’s visual effect. Take all of these factors into account when choosing the product and the decoration method you will be using. Need help choosing which method and product is best for you? Reach out to
concierge@picamarketinggroup.com 
