If you want to have your mug colored and printed with logo better, save your time and save your money,this article will be helpful.
It may seem relatively easy to set your brand logo and get your personalized drinkware item decorated with full gorgeous color print, but with our 9 years of experience in this industry, we realized that the process of getting your corporate logo adequately printed appropriately on your promotional stainless steel drinkware is a bit tasking.
Are you planning to design your stainless steel promotional drinkware with your brand color and corporate logo? We will discuss about how to make the decoration better, both on the coating and the printing in this informative article.
Ok, let’s start!
First, you must understand that stainless steel is non-corrosive neither will it become rusty. It usually comes in two kinds of sleek polishing which are brushed polishing to effectively bring out the luster and shiny appearance and mirror finish polishing for a nearly invisible laser pointer reflection. The mug on the left has a mirror polishing finish while the two mugs to the right have a brushed finish polishing.
Coating
Stainless steel and aluminum drinkware look alike, but the aluminum drinkware is made of a more malleable and lighter metal than steel. Therefore, there must be a coating to protect it from the environmental and atmospheric condition and also to improve and enhance the performance of the components uniquely. There are different types of industrial coating which shall be discussed below.
- a) Spray coating is the most common coating process where molten materials are projected on the aluminum to form a continuous thick coating based on the finishing which ranges from gloss finish to matte finish, metallic finish, and rubber finish. The matte finish is non-reflective which makes it conceal surface imperfections compared to other paints while the metallic finish is a bright reflective coating with metallic visual sensation. Glossy finish gleams while rubber finish is meant to add a transparent soft touch coating on top. From left to right, the finishes are matte, metallic and glass finishes.
b) In recent years, powder coating has gained grounds, it is stronger than regular coating not easy to peel off and good for camping and outdoor items. More so.
c) Electroplating is an electrochemical coating technique to prevent it from rusting and also to improve the aesthetics into a bright ultra glossy finish. The minimum order quantity (MOQ) is high, and it usually comes in copper color, silver and rose gold color
d) PU Electroplating is a decorative coating primarily used for appeal and attractive purpose which often comes in a glossy and shining reflective iridescent glaze on the surface.
Printing
Custom branded drinkware has been a favorite giveaway gift for years which made printing on drinkware an excellent and purposeful option to reflect your company and the end user. Our printing services allow you to choose a high-resolution full-color image printing and access to direct color printing on plastics and stainless drinkware. There are a few ways to print images on drinkware, but you must understand that some printing methods requires complex and technological printing equipment while other techniques are easy to achieve. Here are different types of printing;
a) Screen printing: This is the most common printing method where an ultraviolet ink is forced through a mesh screen and applied onto the flat surface and curved surface of the drinkware. The printing process is done color by color and making sure it matches each printed order. The finger can feel the thickness of the ink used for the design and this method is suitable for the 1-3 color logo. It is less expensive, and we charge an extremely low setup charge.
b) Ink stamp printing: This method of printing is similar to screen printing. It’s a process whereby ink is applied on a pattern that has been laser engraved on a rubber, then it will be stamped forcefully on your drinkware, but it is often used to stamp and print the logo under the bottom of your promotional drinkware.
c) Heat transfer printing: With this method, you can transfer your desired logo and design on your promotional drinkware via heat for a vibrant and attractive appearance. Due to the material cost and significant time spent, our set up charge is a little bit pricey around 500USD per design because the price is charged based on the quantity of the artwork or logo. This method has an excellent printing quality and suitable for a multi-color logo. It can only be applied on glossily finished drinkware.
d) Sublimation printing: sublimation printing is also referred to as dye sublimation printing which uses heat to transfer dye onto your promotional drinkware. Images are applied on specially coated drinkware with the use of sublimation coating for it to accommodate the sublimation ink. We customize with no minimum order quantity (MOQ), and one piece of the mug is workable for us.
As good as this printing method is, it has its downside. This printing method is not efficient, and the printing process is slower than every other methods, so not suitable for a bulk order. But this printing quality is the best. For further details on this printing method watch our video on this page: https://www.promowares.com/product/blank-travel-mug-for-heat-transfer-printing/
e) Water Transfer Printing: This is also referred to as immersion printing. Promotional drinkware is decorated using a base coat and print that resides in a water-soluble film. The printed film is placed on the water’s surface in the dipping tank leaving only the pattern floating on the water.
And the floating image is sprayed with an activator to dissolve the pattern color and the pressure of the water will make the pattern smoothen up by its self without any jointment, streamline or overlap line and adhere to it. The pattern of the design deals with 1-2 color, such as: the wooden pattern, zebra pattern, and marble pattern etc. This technique is a suitable printing method for full wrap printing.
f) Air decal printing: Air decal printing is a means of transferring the design from a substrate that has your brand logo to the surface of your promotional drinkware with the use of heat. But in this printing method, there is an overlapping line and artwork changes on the curving part. This method is suitable for full wrap printing and multi-color artwork, but printing quality is lower compared to heat transfer printing.
g) Embossed stamp printing: Embossing is a method where your promotional drinkware is punched by machine to raise your logo above or against the surface of your promotional drinkware on your drinkware. The raised letters has a width limit and based on the diameter of the mug; the angle should be less than <20 degree.
h) Laser etched Logo: Laser has become one of the most potent manufacturing tools. The laser beam uses high heat to melt the surface of your aluminum or stainless drinkware in which this melted material expands and causes a mark which is your logo or favorite lettering to stay permanently on the mug. It can only entertain 1 color, and the lettering width has a limit. Based on the diameter of the mug the angle should not be less than <20 Degree.
i) UV printing(Printer): You can impress your customer with this stretchable print and cut material available in glossy and matte finish for the multi-color logo. This printing method is workable for curve finish but with a limit of less than 1cm depth. If it is more than 1cm, it will not be clear, hence, a blurred design. It is Dishwasher Safe Printing
Problems
After exploring the available categories of printing methods there may be occurrences of some irregularities that may not allow your design to appear tastefully. They are as follow;
a) Print can be affected by color/background at the base
The background color might change the printed color especially in heat transfer printing, because the ink of heat transfer used is very thin. Even though you add 2-3 base layers under the white logo, it does not help a lot to fix this problem. Take a look at the second image below compared to the first image, the white color is kind of light red, which has been more affected by the background than the screen printed logo.
b) Coating color can be affected by the stainless steel color
It has been discovered that this often happens on yellow and orange color. To fix this, add a base color, and spray coat the mug twice. The base color can be in white or the same color. If you take a look at the printed one below, you will notice that the appearance of the printed mug is dull because the coating color is affected already.
c) The shape of the logo might change
Circle logo may not be well shaped, but to make it look like a circle, you can adjust the circle to an oval. For you to determine how the oval shape should be made, try and print the adjusted logo in different oval shape, then stick it to the mug, check which size is the best. Another image is added below for a better understanding of how to reshape your circle logo.
d) The logo may not be well placed(screen printing for multi-color logo)
Sometimes, different color does not match which may cause a logo to be inappropriately placed. Take a close look at the black image; you will notice it was not well placed at the center.
e) The connection of the design will not be 100% aligned
Tips
a) Minimize the connection effect based on the fact that it can’t be 100% aligned.
i. Hide the connection with design: Based on our experience, the image below shows the best way to achieve a hidden connection.
ii. Leave a small gap
b) Have a rethink and deliberate on it before you approve the artwork for mass production because once the printing mold is arranged, it can’t be changed.
c) Check the strength of the artwork on different area.Monitor the heating process because when you have too many mugs in the heating oven, and the heating oven is small, some area may not be heated which ends up being weak.
d) Try to avoid using the screen printing on powder coating, but using laser engraving printing.
e) If using decal printing, due to it’s low printing quality, the logo or important sign should be screen printed or laser engraved.
f) Avoid heat transfer printing on the mirror finishing. the glue layer will be obvious. Small separate words, small separate dots, and lines on the glue layer will be obvious the background.
g) Laser etched logo on a brushed stainless steel surface is light, therefore, avoid this solution if you want your logo to be more notable.
h) Take the glue layer of the heat transfer printing into consideration on a metallic finish; the layer will be visible at a specific angle to the light.
i) Pay extra attention to heat transfer printing using silver color because it is easy to be made in grey color.
j) Circle logo printed on mug will look like it is visually unshaped, but how it will look like is determined by the diameter of the logo, and the diameter of the mug. So before you finalize your logo for mass production, check the logo first, since the setup charge for the heat transfer printing is high.
Want a dishwasher-safe stainless steel mug?
1, Avoid using any glue, i.e., silicone or foam sticker on the bottom,
2, Keep a mug with stainless steel uncoated or coated with powder coating.
3, Laser engraved logo or embossed logo is a suitable printing method
CONCLUSION
Regardless of the material used during the process of production of any drinkware and the printing method applied, its durability and distinct style must be a perfect fit for you and your special guest down to drinking experience.
It must be a cinch to use, sit prominently on a flat surface, leak and spill proof in such a way that it can be packed together with your valuables as many people like to starch their drinkware and personal items in the same bag pack.
A Bit More About Us
A quality promotional coffee mug featuring leak and spill proof produced with top-notch design and a full-color print is the best drinkware model that will last a lifetime and perfect for your promotional brand.
It will be out of place if we claim that we are not aware of the endless and unsatisfied need of diverse clientele from all over the world looking for functional and premium promotional drinkware that is cost effective.
That is why PromoWare, an estimable and a standard company from China is dedicated to satisfying all your unlimited wants by providing you with high quality double-walled insulated stainless steel coffee mug to enjoy your drink cold and for high-quality conductivity to savor your beverages hot with all pleasure.
PromoWare is a manufacturer and supplier of over 800 plus high-quality promotional drinkware in which some of them are made with sleek and glossy stainless steel and an insulated interior to last the test of time. They are also designed in gorgeous colors with a full spectrum of hues to meet your brand specific need.
With our OEM and ODM expertise, we take the idea or concept of your ideal promotional coffee mug to our facilitated factory for a workup with the use of ultra-modern materials detailing necessary features to suit your taste and appropriately render an accurate estimate and finis of what it should look like.
We are a reliable vendor that offers a wide range of promotional drinkware that cut across stainless steel coffee mug, travel mug, water bottle and sport bottle that is beautifully and nicely crafted for beverage lovers, gym enthusiasts outdoor enthusiasts, travellers, and everyone from different works of life who want to stay hydrated all day. We have a full menu of drinkware that can fulfill and stir up attention at your special event.
Our promotional stainless steel mugs are readily made available at wholesale prices, and a large volume of our items are supplied in bulk at a cheap rate for a volume discount that is worthwhile. It merely means buying from us is beneficial as we offer our promotional drinkware at a bargain price but in a quality and quantity module to promote your business with the best value.
Not only do you have access to our promotional coffee mugs, but you also have an option of letting us print, design and apply a private label on your custom branded coffee mug with the highest level of professionalism. You can kick-start your company with an understated elegance of imprinted stainless steel coffee mug ideal for promotional giveaway to your customers and prospects as an added souvenir to support your business and of course, with your logo engraved on it.
Custom coffee mug will make a perfect promotional cooperate gift or business gift for your customers and employees to maintain and increase the perceived value of gesture shown towards them. Your crystal gift will be treasured forever, and your recipients will be happy to move around with your tastefully but permanently deep etched logo.