Laser Engraving
A focused laser removes the surface layer to expose the substrate beneath. A permanent, high-contrast, single-color mark with no ink involved.
Best for: Logos, names, dates and fine text. The default choice when the mark has to outlive the campaign.
Artwork: Vector art preferred (.ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg). High-resolution single-color raster also works.
Color: Single color: the natural color of the material under the surface.
UV Printing
UV-cured ink is jetted directly onto the product and cured instantly under ultraviolet light. Full-color, photographic-quality artwork with hard edges and no dot gain.
Best for: Multi-color logos, gradients, photographs and exact brand-color matching.
Artwork: Vector art or 300 dpi raster. Supply Pantone references for color matching.
Color: Full color, including white ink on dark substrates.
Sand Carving
Abrasive is blasted through a cut mask to cut into the surface of the glass or crystal. A deep, frosted, dimensional mark you can feel with a fingertip.
Best for: Crystal and glass awards where depth and presence matter more than color.
Artwork: Vector art strongly preferred. Very fine detail should be simplified.
Color: Frosted white, optionally color-filled.
3D Sub-surface Laser
A laser focuses inside the crystal and creates microfractures that form an image suspended within the block. A three-dimensional image floating inside the crystal.
Best for: Flagship recognition pieces, building renderings, portrait awards.
Artwork: Vector, 3D model, or high-resolution photograph.
Color: Internal frosted white.
Dye Sublimation
Heat converts solid dye to gas, which bonds into a polyester coating or ceramic glaze. Full-color artwork embedded in the surface rather than sitting on top of it.
Best for: Full-wrap photographic decoration on mugs, coated drinkware and coated metal.
Artwork: 300 dpi raster or vector.
Color: Full color. Cannot print white. The substrate supplies white.
Debossing
A heated die presses the artwork into the material. A subtle, tactile, recessed impression in the surface color.
Best for: Leather and leatherette gifts where understatement is the point.
Artwork: Vector art with strokes no finer than 0.5 pt.
Color: Blind (no color) or foil-filled.
Foil Stamping
Metallic foil is heat-transferred into a debossed impression. A bright metallic mark with dimensional depth.
Best for: Premium leather goods and presentation covers.
Artwork: Vector art, bold strokes.
Color: Gold, silver, copper, and selected colors.
Color Fill
Engraved or carved recesses are filled with pigment. A permanent engraved mark that reads in brand color rather than substrate color.
Best for: Metal and crystal where the logo must be recognisably on-brand.
Artwork: Vector art with enclosed shapes.
Color: Matched to Pantone where the recess allows.
Screen Printing
Ink is pushed through a mesh stencil, one screen per color. Dense, opaque color that holds up to washing and handling.
Best for: Bags, apparel and high-volume runs.
Artwork: Vector, separated by color.
Color: Spot colors, typically up to 4.
Embroidery
The design is stitched directly into the fabric. A raised, textured, extremely durable mark.
Best for: Headwear, polos, bags and anything expected to be laundered.
Artwork: Vector art; a digitised stitch file is produced from it.
Color: Thread-matched to brand colors.
Pad Printing
A silicone pad lifts ink from an etched plate and transfers it to the product. Clean printing on curved and irregular surfaces.
Best for: Pens, plastics and small compound-curved items.
Artwork: Vector art.
Color: Spot colors.
Heat Transfer
A printed transfer is applied under heat and pressure. Full-color decoration on fabrics and soft goods.
Best for: Small runs and complex multi-color artwork on textiles.
Artwork: 300 dpi raster or vector.
Color: Full color.
Die Struck
The design is struck into metal with a custom die. Crisp raised and recessed relief in solid metal.
Best for: Medals, coins and lapel pins.
Artwork: Vector art.
Color: Metal finish, optionally enamel-filled.
Printed Insert
A printed or sublimated disc is set into the recess of the piece. Full-color artwork inside a cast metal frame.
Best for: Medals and emblem holders where color is required.
Artwork: 300 dpi raster or vector.
Color: Full color.
Laser Cutting
The laser cuts entirely through the sheet to a custom outline. A shape cut to your logo or silhouette rather than a stock outline.
Best for: Acrylic awards and signage that should not look off-the-shelf.
Artwork: Vector art with a defined cut path.
Color: Material color.
Rotary Engraving
A rotating cutter physically carves the surface. A deep V-cut line with genuine dimension.
Best for: Brass and aluminum plates, especially with color fill.
Artwork: Vector art.
Color: Substrate color or color-filled.
Sublimated Plate
A full-color sublimated plate is produced and fitted to the award. Photographic color on a piece whose body cannot itself be printed.
Best for: Resin and cast awards.
Artwork: 300 dpi raster or vector.
Color: Full color.
Debossed Mold
The logo is formed into the mold itself. The mark is part of the product, not applied to it.
Best for: Silicone goods on larger runs.
Artwork: Vector art.
Color: Product color.
Laser Engraving (plate)
The engraving plate is lasered, then fitted to the award. A permanent engraved plate on a cast body.
Best for: Resin trophies and figure awards.
Artwork: Vector art.
Color: Plate color.
UV Printing (plate)
The plate is UV printed in full color, then fitted. Full-color identification on a cast award.
Best for: Sport and participation awards.
Artwork: Vector or 300 dpi raster.
Color: Full color.
Laser Engraving (back)
The reverse face is laser engraved. Personalization without disturbing the struck front face.
Best for: Medals with a standard front and individual backs.
Artwork: Text or simple vector.
Color: Substrate color.
What do buyers ask about decoration methods?
What is laser engraving best for?
Logos, names, dates and fine text. The default choice when the mark has to outlive the campaign. A focused laser removes the surface layer to expose the substrate beneath. The result is a permanent, high-contrast, single-color mark with no ink involved. In color terms it is single color: the natural color of the material under the surface. If the logo depends on color, UV printing or sublimation is the better choice.
Which decoration method gives a full-color logo?
UV printing or dye sublimation. With UV printing, uV-cured ink is jetted directly onto the product and cured instantly under ultraviolet light. It prints full color, including white ink on dark substrates. Dye sublimation embeds the color in a polyester coating or ceramic glaze rather than sitting on top of it, but it cannot print white: the substrate supplies it.
What is the difference between sand carving and laser engraving on crystal?
Depth. In sand carving, abrasive is blasted through a cut mask to cut into the surface of the glass or crystal. It gives a deep, frosted, dimensional mark you can feel with a fingertip. Laser engraving marks the surface with a fine, high-contrast line and suits fine text better. For an image inside the block, sub-surface laser creates a three-dimensional image floating within the crystal.
How is engraving priced?
By area. Take the personalization area on the product, multiply the square inches by $0.55 and round up to the next whole dollar: that is the price for artwork covering the whole area. Cover half of it and you pay half. There is no setup fee at any quantity, and every decorated product page shows the engraving per quantity before you pay.