The method decides how your logo looks, how long it lasts and what it costs. Compare ten methods below - then send us your artwork for a free digital proof before you commit.
Most buyers do not start with a method name - they start with a product, a look or a budget. Pick what you know and the cards below filter to the methods that actually fit.
Ink is pushed through a mesh screen, leaving a bold, even layer of solid colour that reads clearly from a distance.
A silicone pad lifts ink from an etched plate and wraps it onto curved or recessed surfaces - the standard for small hard goods.
A laser removes the surface layer itself, so the mark is part of the material - it cannot peel, fade or wash off.
UV-cured ink is printed directly onto the product, holding gradients, photos and fine detail without a plate or screen.
Artwork is printed onto a carrier film and bonded to the fabric with heat and pressure - full colour without screen setup.
Heat turns the ink into gas so it bonds inside the material. There is no printed layer to feel, crack or peel.
Thread is stitched directly into the fabric, giving a raised, textured mark that survives years of washing and wear.
A heated die presses metallic foil into paper, board or leather, leaving a sharp, reflective mark with a premium feel.
A full-colour label or print runs the entire circumference, turning the whole product into brand surface instead of a small patch.
Acid or laser etching frosts the glass surface permanently - a quiet, high-end mark that never rubs off.
Ratings are relative, not absolute. Actual unit price and lead time are confirmed in your quote - the pattern below is what stays true across suppliers.
| Method | Colour range | Durability | Setup | Unit cost <300 | Unit cost 1,000+ | Sweet spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Printing | 1-4 spot colours | Excellent | High | $$ | $ | 500+ |
| Pad Printing | 1-2 spot colours | Very good | Medium | $$ | $ | 500+ |
| Laser Engraving | Single tone | Permanent | Low | $$ | $$ | any quantity |
| UV / Full Colour | Full CMYK + white | Very good | None | $$ | $$ | 300+ |
| Heat Transfer | Full colour | Good | Low | $$ | $ | 100-500 |
| Sublimation | Full colour, no white | Permanent on polyester | Low | $ | $ | 100-500 |
| Embroidery | Thread colours | Excellent | Digitising | $$$ | $$ | 300+ |
| Hot Stamping / Foil | Metallic, 1 colour | Very good | Die | $$$ | $ | 1,000+ |
| Design Wrap | Full colour, 360° | Very good | Medium | $$ | $ | 500+ |
| Glass Etching | Single tone | Permanent | Medium | $$ | $$ | 300+ |
Add-on time is the decoration step on top of standard production. Seasonal peaks and artwork revisions can extend it - your quote confirms the date.
Three different cost curves. Knowing which one your order sits on is the fastest way to stop overpaying.
The setup is a fixed cost. Below 300 pieces it dominates the unit price; above 1,000 it almost disappears.
A modest fixed cost plus a stable per-unit cost. The curve flattens early - mid volume is the sweet spot.
No plate, no screen - so small runs are viable. But the price never drops much at volume either.
Most delays are not production problems - they are file problems. These six checks remove almost all of them.
Not sure your file is usable? Send it anyway - we check it before quoting and tell you exactly what needs fixing.
No one should approve a print run from a description. Every custom order gets a digital proof showing the logo on the actual product.
Logo file, product reference, quantity and any colour requirements.
We return a mockup on the real product with print size and position marked.
Adjust size, position or colour until it is right. Nothing is produced before approval.
Decoration, inspection and packing, with photos before shipment.
Proof turnaround is confirmed per order and depends on artwork completeness. Complex multi-position decoration may need an extra round.
Tell us the product, the quantity and the look you want. We will come back with the right method, a price and a free digital proof.
Request a free proof