5 Branding Methods to Explore

Unsure about the best method to brand your promotional items? You're not alone! There are various ways to customise products, but the right technique depends on the material you're working with, whether it's plastic, fabric, or harder surfaces like metal, wood, and more.

Typical branding methods involve silkscreen printing, digital printing techniques like direct-to-film (DTF), and dye-sublimation, embroidery, and engraving. In this article, we'll explore these branding methods to help you confidently select the best option for your next project.

Silk Screen

Silkscreen or screen printing involves creating a stencil on a mesh screen, pushing ink through the open areas with a squeegee, and imprinting the design onto the desired surface. Screen printed designs are known for their durability and longevity. It’s particularly effective for producing large quantities of prints and can be used on various surfaces, including fabric, paper, metal, wood, and plastic.

This method is particularly useful for printing apparel like caps, t-shirts, and hats. It's also an excellent choice for branding promotional items such as umbrellas, gazebos, gift bags, lanyards, wristbands, and more. It uses multiple frames to allow for printing designs in various colours.

Embroidery:

Embroidery can be a powerful branding technique, offering durability, a sense of quality, and versatility for applying logos and designs to various products, from apparel to accessories. Embroidered logos and designs are known for their longevity, maintaining their appearance even after multiple washes.

Embroidery can be used on various products such as hats, jackets, bags, towels, and more, enabling businesses to appeal to diverse audiences and tailor items for specific events or promotions. It is especially popular in branding industrial wear, which often faces harsh and hot conditions, making embroidery a durable and effective branding method compared to heat transfer and paint-based methods.

Dye-Sublimation:

Dye sublimation is a printing method where images are transferred onto materials using heat. The heat turns special inks into gas, which then bonds with the material, creating a print that is durable and lasts a long time. What makes dye-sublimated prints durable is that the prints are not on the surface, but permeate into the substrate such that they cannot be scratched off. Dye-sublimation is commonly used in the production of sports apparel. 

This method is responsible for creating most of the banner styles you're familiar with, like telescopic banners, shark fins, and wall banners. Even the flags you wave to support your team are made using this process. Fun fact: your blue t-shirt actually started out as a plain white piece of fabric! It was once pressed against a sheet of paper containing its design, which transformed it into the shirt you wear today.

Engraving:

Engraving refers to the process of permanently imprinting a logo, design, or text onto a product's surface by etching or cutting into the material, typically with a laser, resulting in a refined and enduring mark.

Engraving is frequently performed on materials like wood, leather, acrylic, metal, glass, and more. It is commonly applied to products such as diaries, leather goods like belts, bags, and wallets, as well as trophies, plaques, and various wooden items. This technique has become one of the most popular branding methods for promotional products.

Direct To Film (DTF)

DTF is a printing process where designs are printed directly onto a special transfer film. These prints are then transferred onto a substrate, such as fabric or other materials, using heat and pressure. DTF printing offers vibrant colours, durability, and the ability to print on a variety of surfaces, making it a popular choice for custom apparel and promotional products. You can choose this method for promotional items like caps, t-shirts, jackets, and a wide range of other apparel you might be considering.

In conclusion, choosing the right branding method for your promotional items depends largely on the material and intended use of the product. Whether it's the bold vibrancy of DTF, the premium feel of embroidery, the lasting impression of engraving, the seamless integration of dye-sublimation, or the versatile durability of screen printing, each technique brings its own strengths. By understanding how these methods work and where they shine, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed choice that enhances your brand’s visibility and impact.

Feel free to reach out to us for all your branding and promotional needs. We offer a wide range of branding solutions and have the capacity to support any project you have in mind.