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Artwork FAQ Equipment List Glossary General Information

Bleed:

When the artwork runs all the way to the edge of the imprintable area. Items can have a partial bleed (artwork runs to the edge in 1 or multiple locations, but not all) or a full bleed (artwork runs to the edge all around).

Deboss:

Machine imprints by applying pressure to a die resulting in a depressed imprint.

Decal:

Artwork is produced on a clear substrate (vinyl, transfer paper, etc.), then applied to the product.

Die Struck:

A negative die is made of the imprint, and then pressure is applied to the metallic surface of the product. Die struck items may be color filled and is most commonly used on metallic surfaces, i.e. lapel pins, money clips, etc.

Emboss:

Machine imprints by applying pressure to a die resulting in a raised imprint.

Embroidery:

Logo must be digitized into a "tape". Digitizing is the actual programming that tells the embroidery machine what colors to embroider in what locations. The design is then imprinted by being embroidered (sewn to form a pattern) into the design. Embroidery is typically priced based on how many stitches are required for the design to be complete. Larger imprint areas would require more stitches to complete.

Etch and Engraving:

Imprinting by removal of a thin layer of the items surface. Most commonly used on metal, glass, or stone items.

Foil Stamp (Hot stamp):

A combination of heat, pressure and a die in the shape of the design to leave a metallic foil imprint on an item. Typically cannot combine several foil colors within the same design.

Full Color (4-Color Process):

Most bitmapped images (images using pixels to define them-quality decreases as size is increased) are full color (4-color process, process). Typically, images that are photographs contain half-tones (gradients, blending, created using Adobe Photoshop) are full color images.

Laser Engraving:

Logo is etched using lasers onto surfaces such as metal, wood or glass.

Offset Printing (Litho-printing, Lithography):

Most common form of high quality printing on paper. Used for brochures, posters, postcards, etc.

Pad Print:

Uneven printing surfaces most commonly use pad printing as an imprinting method. Pad printing uses a soft pad in the shape of the logo to transfer the design to the product.

Silkscreen:

ITEMS THAT GET SILK SCREENED: (ALSO KNOWN AS SCREENED OR SCREEN PRINTED)

•            i. Clothing(apparel)-most popular on tee shirts, bandannas-typically more high end and expensive items like golf shirts and jackets would be embroidered.

•            ii. Certain high quality labels (stickers)-silk screening them as opposed to printing them on a printing press (offset=litho-for high quantity, digital-for lower quantities) provides more opaque (solid color tones for richness)

•            iii. Certain promotional products

Sublimation:

The process of first imprinting a transfer material (typically using offset or lithography), such as transfer paper and then applying the design to the item (typically fabric) using heat to make the image imbed into the fabric.