Promotional Item Lexicon

Decal Transfer Process

is a finishing method for cups. Images/logos are printed on paper and manually applied to the cup. Then the cups are fired so that the decorations are dishwasher safe.

All Senses

Promotional items are the only form of advertising that appeals to all 5 senses (sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste) of humans.

Proof Print

A proof print is made to check the printing result on a promotional item.

Sample Failure

A promotional item is referred to as a failure sample when it is made individually with the desired advertising print. This gives the customer an exact picture of the final product and allows them to approve it for production.

Flocking / Flock

This is a finishing method for textiles. Short fibers are applied to the textile with adhesive. This makes it more tactile than a print. However, not all motifs can be implemented. Raster or very thin lines are difficult to realize, and small font sizes should be avoided.

Trim

Processing-technically necessary paper/image border of (usually) 3-5 mm that extends beyond the final format. The trim allows for a cleanly cut end product on all sides.

The backgrounds and images must be extended into this additional border, but fonts should be placed with a safe distance from the paper edge.

Blind Embossing

In blind embossing, the logo is pressed into a promotional item (e.g., leather or notebooks) with a die stamp under high pressure. This is done without color, which is why this method is "blind," unlike color or hot embossing. Blind embossing is a very subtle form of advertising application.

Briefing

So we can successfully support you as a promotional item consultant in finding the right promotional item, it is helpful if you provide us with information on the following points:

- Target audience

- Budget

- Quantity

- Corporate design guidelines (e.g., color of the item, material, number of printing colors)

- Delivery time (e.g., date for events/fairs)

- Distribution (e.g., personal handover or mailing)

- Area (e.g., something for the bicycle, something technical, or something that symbolizes growth)

Corporate Design

The task of corporate design is to make the identity of a company visible to the outside world.

Corporate design consists of

* Logo

* Corporate color(s)

* Font(s)

* Slogans

Digital Printing

Refers to printing methods where the image is directly transferred from a computer to a printing machine without the use of a static printing form.

Direct Print - Ceramic

Line designs (no raster) can be implemented on cups using direct print. The printing area is smaller than with other methods, but it is also cheaper.

Doming

Epoxy resin is applied to adhesive labels that are already printed and cut. The resin is very clear and clearly shows your logo. It also creates a beautiful, 3D-like effect. Domings are an affordable way to apply logos with many colors to an item.

Print Templates

Please inquire about print templates for your desired item directly with us, as each printing method/printer has different requirements.

Dummy

Samples of USB sticks are usually dummies; they have no storage.

Preliminary Design

For some items, we can create designs of the item with your logo in advance. Please understand that this is not possible for all items. Some suppliers only create the design after receiving an order.

EPS Format

For printing, we usually need your logo as an eps file. All fonts must be vectorized.

Euroscale

Is the abbreviation for the European color scale for offset printing. The colors Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK) are used in four-color printing to refine the promotional item.

Full-Service

With full-service, we take care of the storage, shipping, and invoicing of promotional items to your different business locations.

Give-away

These are inexpensive promotional items that are used at events and distributed widely (hence often referred to as scatter items).

Engraving

see Laser Engraving

Corporate Color

Please provide us with your corporate colors according to HKS or Pantone.

Hot Embossing

This is a process where colored embossing foil layers are transferred to the material to be refined using a die stamp under pressure and temperature. The difference from blind embossing is that with hot embossing, colors, including silver and gold logos, can be embossed.

HKS

HKS is the name of a color system. Since this color system is mainly used in Germany, we may also need the color reference according to Pantone.

Incentive

Promotional gifts that provide an incentive to purchase or make decisions for customers or promote employee motivation as a reason.

Printing Plate

This is the printing plate for letterpress printing. After photomechanical and chemical pre-treatment, the non-printing parts are etched away (deep); the printing image remains raised on the plate surface (thus high). The plate can be reused for repetitions.

Proof Copy

You will receive a proof copy from us after the order is placed, showing your logo on the ordered item. You can check it and make changes if necessary. We will begin printing only after your approval.

Laser Engraving

Using a laser beam, your logo is permanently engraved into a metal item. Therefore, laser engravings are water- and smudge-resistant and very durable. Colors are not applied with this technique. The color is determined by the material of the product; for example, laser engraving on aluminum appears white.

Delivery Time

Typically, we have a delivery time of 3-4 weeks for in-stock items after print approval. For custom items from the Far East, the delivery time can range from 6 weeks (air freight) to 14 weeks (sea freight). A selection of items can be offered with express service. These will be shipped within 3-4 days after print approval. If you need a fast delivery, please call us!

Logo

Your logo symbolizes your company. It can make your brand name easily recognizable and memorable. It can consist of an image mark, word mark, or a combination of both. We implement your logo on the promotional item of your choice. Whether it's the emblem, the word mark, or with a subheading, it sometimes depends on the size of the item. We are happy to advise you!

Mailing Insert

Light and usually flat promotional items that are included in a mailing.

Brand Items

We offer a wide selection of brand items, such as Parker pens, Rotring, Reisenthel, Blomus, Stabila measuring tools, Emsa, Faber-Castell, Bic lighters, Hama, Post-it, Slazenger textiles, Knirps umbrellas, Koziol, Samsonite, Troika, Victorinox knives, Vossen towels, Zippo lighters, and many more. Contact us!

Offset Printing

Printing process used for larger quantities, special colors, or large dark areas, e.g., on calendars.

Pantone

Pantone Matching System (PMS) is the name of a color system. We particularly need the Pantone color code for items that are printed or dyed in the Far East.

Product Safety Law

The Product Safety Law (ProdSG) in Germany regulates the safety requirements for technical equipment and consumer products. Since December 1, 2011, it has replaced the Equipment and Product Safety Act (GPSG). As part of this, every product that reaches the end customer must be labeled with the complete postal address of the manufacturer. A PO box, email address, or URL/domain is not sufficient. The full address, including the company name, street and house number, as well as postal code and city, must be provided. Please note that the party applying the labeling on the product assumes all responsibilities and liabilities according to ProdSG. For some products, such as wall planners, glasses cleaning cloths, sticky notes, this labeling can be added to the print data without extra costs. Otherwise, additional costs may apply for labeling the product.

Proof

In printing, a proof refers to a preliminary simulation of a print result for verification purposes.

RAL

RAL color systems are standards set by the RAL Institute for colors. RAL values are rarely applied to promotional items.

RoHS

The RoHS Directive of the European Union (EU) regulates the restriction of hazardous substances. Since July 2006, it prohibits the use of certain substances in electrical and electronic devices.

Screen Printing

In this technique, the color is printed through a screen with both open and closed areas. The color is transferred to the item through the open areas of the screen. Screen printing is applied to flat items.

Embroidery

This is a very high-quality finishing method for textile promotional items. The motif is stitched into the textile. Up to 15 colors are possible. The cost depends on the number of stitches. Therefore, we always need the motif to be embroidered in advance for a quote.

Scatter Items

see Give-Away

Pad Printing

This printing technique involves creating a negative film, which is placed on a printing plate. The plate is exposed to the film. During the exposure process, part of the plate is imprinted, and this imprint is filled with color in the printing machine. A silicone pad picks up the color from the plate and prints it on the item. Due to the silicone pad, unlike screen printing, even round items can be printed.

Transfer Printing

In this printing technique, the motif is printed onto a special transfer paper first. Then the paper is applied to the item and transferred under pressure at a high temperature. Often used for ceramics and glass.