Page 7 - The Promo Shop - Printed Bags and Notebook Guide

PERSONAILSATION TECHNIQUES
Screen Print
A stencil based technique in which a fine woven mesh is used to support a design etched into an impermeable emulsion based screen. The design is etched into the emulsion base using UV light, burning away the emulsion and leaving the design outline and the exposed mesh below. Ink is then forced into the mesh openings using a fill blade or squeegee, in a stroking motion.The pressure applied during the stroking motion causes the screen to rebound from the substrate, leaving the ink behind. One colour is printed at a time and several screens can be used to produce a multi-coloured design.
Suitable for notebooks, cooler bags, shoppers and conference folders
Digital Printing
The latest technology in terms of personalising promotional items, with the most popular methods using laser or inkjet printers.These work by depositing a pigment onto the item surface.The pigment does not permeate the surface, as conventional ink does, but instead forms a thin layer on the surface. The printed layer can be additionally adhered to the item surface using a heat or UV process. As the digital based image is printed directly onto the item surface, there is no requirement for printing plates, one of the greatest benefits of digital printing.
Suitable for notebooks
Transfer Printing
Artwork is transferred onto transfer paper and the outline is cut out, leaving a small border to aid durability. Using lasers, the cut out artwork is then accurately positioned on the item surface to ensure it is straight. The next step is the heat press – an iron-like machine that can evenly apply hundreds of pounds of pressure while accurately controlling the temperature.The heat acts to soften the transfer paper causing it to melt into the items surface, making it part of the item.
Suitable for cooler bags and shoppers
Embroidery
Artwork must first be converted from a 2 dimensional logo into stitches that can be read by the embroidery machine. Before the actual embroidery process can begin, specific thread colours are manually loaded into the machine and set to a specific sequence and speed, dependant on the artwork and fabric used.The print area of the item is fixed to a device called a hoop which then attaches to the machine. Once the item has been embroidered a process of cutting, tearing and trimming takes place to remove the backing material (used to stabilise the fabric during embroidery) and additional stitches are removed.
Suitable for rucksacks, satchels and holdalls
Debossing
Debossing requires a simple combination of heat and high pressure, with no need for ink or dye.The artwork is used as a template from which a metal die and a corresponding metal counter-die are cut. One metal die features the raised sections of the artwork and the other metal die features the recessed version of the same artwork.The item is set between the 2 dies and pressure and heat are used to squeeze the die imprint into the material.The result is a recessed and exact copy of the artwork.The debossed area is extremely smooth as the heat and pressure act like an iron.
Suitable for conference folders, notebooks, wallets, card and passport holders
Foil Blocking
A process that applies metallic or ‘foil’ effects to a surface. This is done using a metal die onto which the design is chemically etched using the supplied artwork.The metal die is heated and foil film is positioned between the metal die and the items surface.This process transfers a thin layer of the foil film onto the intended surface. Pressure is then applied which causes the foil film to fuse to the surface and the heat activates the adhesive. Foil films are available in a variety of colours, with the most common being gold and silver.
Suitable for conference folders, passport holders, wallets and notebooks
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