BRANDING OPTIONS EXPLAINED
Pad Printing (PA, PB, PC)
The Process:
A plate is exposed in an exposure unit with a positive. Where the positive is solid the emotion on the plate will be washed away. The plate is then placed in the ink well. The item being printed is placed in a jig.
The plate is flooded with ink and wiped clean with a blade. The ink remains in the exposed are. This is then transferred to the product using a silicon pad. Average production per machine is 2000 – 5000 prints per day.
Typical Products:
Small plastic and metal Items. Pens, key rings, desk clocks, thermal mugs.
Screen Printing (SA, SB, SC)
The Process:
An emulsion is painted onto a mesh screen. A positive is then taped to the screen. This is then exposed to light. The blacked out positive blocks the light to specific areas of the screen. Once exposed, the emulsion in these areas will be washed away leaving it free for the ink to penetrate.
The product is then placed under the screen and a squeegee is used to pull the ink across the screen and heat dried. If a second colour is required the process is repeated. Once completed the print is cured.
Typical Products:
Clothing, bags, folders, coolers, mugs, lanyards
Laser Engraving YAG (LA, LB)
The Process:
The product is placed in a jig, which is setup under a laser. An intense beam of light, controlled by computer is then concentrated on the product and the surface burned to reveal a logo. There is no control over colour. It is all dependent on the materials reaction to the laser. In the case of a coated product, the laser will reveal the material underneath
Typical Products:
Small metal Items. Pens, key rings, flasks, flash drives
Laser Engraving (CO2) (LC)
The Process:
The product is placed in a jig, which is setup under a flat bed laser. An intense beam of light, controlled by computer is then concentrated on the product and the surface burned or cut to reveal a logo. There is no control over colour. It is all dependent on the materials reaction to the laser. On Stainless Steel products a foam can be pre-applied to a product which results in a black engraving. This is known as Black Mark Engraving.
Typical Products:
Stainless Steel, plastic (cutting), paper (cutting), wood, fabric
Embroidery (EMB, EMBLB, EMBCAP)
The Process:
The first logo is digitised, to tell the machine what to do. The product is then put into a frame with a backing material.
Dual needles then stitch thread through the product. Once this is done the backing and loose threads are then cleaned.
Typical Products:
Clothing, Caps, some bags
Embossing / Debossing (BOS, FL)
The Process:
Embossing and debossing are processes of creating either raised or recessed relief images. An embossed pattern is raised against the background, while a debossed pattern is sunken into the surface. This is achieved using an engraved aluminium plate, heated by the embossing machine which is then pressed into the surface of the product. There is the option of adding colour using foil (AKA foiling) or with no foil (AKA Blind)
Typical Products:
Folders, Wallets/purses, leather products, Paper, Boxes
Digital Printing (DA, DV, DB, DC, DTB, DTC, SUB)
The Process:
There are various types and sizes of printer but the main are either Ink Jet or UV based ink systems. The ink can be applied to the product directly or added to a sub straight which is then applied to the product
Typical Products:
Magnets, T-shirts, Mouse matts, Stickers, Badges, Rollup Banners
