Customisation
Branding techniques for promotional products
Screen printing, pad printing, embroidery, laser engraving, sublimation, transfer: each technique has its materials, its finishes and its costs. Here is how to choose the right one for your product and your logo.
The branding technique determines the finish, durability and price of your customised product. In short: screen printing for textiles and flat surfaces at volume, pad printing for curved items (pens, mugs), embroidery for premium textiles, laser engraving for metal and wood, and digital transfer or sublimation for complex logos and photos.
Comparison table of branding techniques
| Technique | Ideal for | Finish | Recommended quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen printing | Textiles, tote bags, flat surfaces | Vivid, opaque colours, flat finish | 25–50 units | € |
| Pad printing | Pens, mugs, round or textured items | Precise on small and curved surfaces | 50–100 units | € |
| Embroidery | Polo shirts, caps, jackets, bags | Premium raised textile finish, very durable | 25–50 units | €€€ |
| Laser engraving | Metal, wood, glass, bamboo (pens, bottles, USB) | Permanent, ink-free, high-end branding | 25–50 units | €€ |
| Sublimation | White mugs, polyester textiles, bottles | Photos / gradients in full colour, embedded in the material | 25–50 units | €€ |
| Digital transfer (DTF) | Textiles with complex or multicoloured visuals | Detailed logos, photos, gradients | 10–25 units | €€ |
| Doming (resin) | Keyrings, badges, 3D stickers | Glossy domed effect, premium feel | 100 units | €€ |
Indicative cost at volume (€ = economical, €€€ = premium). The available technique is specified on every Wegoodie product page.
Each technique in detail
Screen printing
The leading technique for textiles and flat surfaces. Ink is pushed through a stencil (one per colour): the result is vivid, opaque and durable, even in the wash. Very economical in large quantities, it becomes less attractive for logos with gradients or more than 4 colours.
Pad printing
A silicone pad picks up ink from an engraved plate and deposits it on the item. Because it deforms, it moulds to curved or textured surfaces: it is the preferred technique for pens, lighters, mugs and small textured items.
Embroidery
The logo is reproduced in thread on the textile. A premium, raised, extremely resistant finish: it is the choice for polo shirts, caps, softshell jackets and high-end bags. The cost depends on stitch density (size and complexity of the design), not on the number of units.
Laser engraving
A laser beam marks the surface of the material, without ink. The result is permanent, understated and high-end — ideal on metal, wood, glass and bamboo (pens, insulated bottles, USB sticks, gift boxes). The branding takes on the colour of the exposed material, so it is monochrome.
Sublimation
The ink turns into a gas and bonds directly with the material (polyester or a receptive coating). It allows full colour, so photos and gradients, with no surcharge per colour — perfect for mugs and some technical textiles.
Digital transfer (DTF)
The visual is printed and then heat-transferred onto the textile. It faithfully reproduces complex, multicoloured or photographic logos, and remains cost-effective from small quantities — an excellent alternative to screen printing for short, detailed runs.
How do you choose the right technique?
Three criteria are enough to decide in the vast majority of cases:
- 1. The material. Flat textile → screen printing or transfer; premium textile → embroidery; curved item → pad printing; metal/wood/glass → laser engraving.
- 2. The logo. 1 to 3 flat colours → screen printing/pad printing; gradients, photo or multicoloured → sublimation or digital transfer.
- 3. The quantity. Small, detailed run → transfer (DTF); large, simple volume → screen printing; premium item in moderate quantity → laser engraving or embroidery.
Preparing your logo file
Supply a vector file (.ai, .eps, .pdf or .svg): it stays sharp at every size and lets us match your Pantone colours. Failing that, a 300 dpi PNG on a transparent background may be suitable. Avoid low-definition JPEGs. No vector file? Our team can vectorise your logo before the digital proof.
Frequently asked questions
Which branding technique should I choose for a textile?
For a t-shirt in a large run and a logo in 1 to 3 colours, screen printing offers the best value for money with vivid, durable colours. For a polo shirt, a cap or a premium jacket, choose embroidery: an elegant raised finish that lasts a very long time. For a complex, multicoloured or photographic visual, digital transfer (DTF) is the most suitable, even in small quantities.
What is the difference between screen printing and pad printing?
Screen printing is applied to flat, relatively large surfaces (textiles, tote bags, flat surfaces) with vivid, opaque colours. Pad printing uses a silicone pad that moulds to shapes: it is ideal for small surfaces and round or textured items such as pens, lighters and mugs.
Does laser engraving work on all items?
No. Laser engraving is ideal on hard materials: metal, wood, glass, bamboo, leather and some plastics. It gives a permanent, ink-free, high-end finish — perfect for metal pens, insulated bottles, USB sticks and premium items. On textiles or soft plastics, screen printing, transfer or embroidery are preferred.
How many colours can I print on a promotional product?
It depends on the technique. Screen printing and pad printing generally print 1 to 4 colours (each colour = one pass). Embroidery is priced by number of threads. Sublimation and digital transfer (DTF) handle full colour, so gradients and photos with no surcharge per colour. Laser engraving, for its part, is monochrome (the colour of the exposed material).
Which file should I supply for quality branding?
A vector file (.ai, .eps, .pdf or .svg) is ideal: it stays sharp at every size and lets us match your Pantone colours. Failing that, a high-resolution PNG (300 dpi minimum) on a transparent background may be suitable for some techniques. Avoid low-definition JPEGs: compression artefacts spoil the finish. If you only have a low-quality logo, our team can vectorise it.
Customise your product, branding included
The right technique is already selected on every product page. Upload your logo, approve the digital proof.