Branding, what is it?

Making a mark by charring.

In the world of promotional product marketing this is not far from the truth and in fact embossing is exactly that charring the surface of an item with a hot metal plate. Decorators and printers have been using a variety of branding methods over the decades and in some cases centuries, which is the case with screen printing, in order to brand products and objects such as industrial components etc.

Traditional Promotional Printing

For quite some time, techniques like pad printing foil stamping blind embossing and screen-printing have seemed to be about as refined a process for branding products as there could be - Cue digital printing. Digital pad printing has become a real game changer in the promotional printing industry and is a time saver for short run marketing campaigns.

Changes in the Promotional Product Industry

Up until recently, Digital pad printing has been limited to flat and film like sub straights, but in recent years the technology has evolved so quickly that it now has pollinated the traditional branding techniques and the once angry child in the promotional product branding fleet has become a truly reliable and a valued member of the team.

The extreme time saving in the pre-press setup sees some short run printing jobs completed in the same time it would have taken to just prepare a silk screen for printing even before one impression is made. There is no requirement for alterations to the art files if prepared correctly before going to print and the imaging is only limited by your imagination. Given that digital printing in no way comes into contact with items being branded, like the traditional forms of pad printing and screen printing, means that pinpoint accuracy in the reproduction of clients logos is perfect every time. The use of UV curing ink systems means even the most delicate of items can be branded with no ill effects from the heat generated by the more traditional branding methods. The printer and decorator that are encompassed by this technology were purely designed with a true customer focus.  With shorter and shorter lead times being the norm digital printing of promotional products is the future answer to an ever-demanding market. 

Halftone Images for Pad Printing

The image to the left represents how the human eye would see the gradient on the right, in tone, from a sufficient distance.

"Halftone is the reprographic technique that simulates continuous tone imagery through the use of dots, varying either in size or in spacing.^[1] 'Halftone' can also be used to refer specifically to the image that is produced by this process.^[1]"

[1]^ ^{a b c} Campbell, Alastair. The Designer's Lexicon. ©2000 Chronicle, San Francisco.

Tone usage in 'Pad Printing' process;

Pad printed images using tone can be very effective. 4 colour process images can be achieved through tone. The resolution on jobs that have a small printing position can be low.

Larger size print areas will obviously be more effective due to the fact that there is more area for the dots to fill.

Gradients that involve two colours, rather than one shade, get printed as duo tones which involves both colours involved being separated and produces as individual spot colour halftones.

For any advice on complex tone imagery please feel free to contact me for how we can help you at: art@ppservices.net.au

Corporate Identity

What is Corporate Identity?

The web gives us this definition

- "In marketing, a corporate identity is the "persona" of a corporation which is designed to accord with and facilitate the attainment of business objectives. It is usually visibly manifested by way of branding and the use of trademarks.[1]
Corporate identity comes into being when there is a common ownership of an organisational philosophy that is manifest in a distinct corporate culture — the corporate personality. At its most profound, the public feel that they have ownership of the philosophy.[2]
In general, this amounts to a corporate title, logo (logotype and/or logogram), and supporting devices commonly assembled within a set of guidelines. These guidelines govern how the identity is applied and confirm approved colour palettes, typefaces, page layouts and other such methods of maintaining visual continuity and brand recognition across all physical manifestations of the brand. These guidelines are usually formulated into a packadge of tools called Corporate Identity Manuals."

(Quote From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_identity)

As the image I added above illustrates. Corporate Identity plays a huge part in our lives. Some with more prominence than others but they will always leave a lasting impression.
One good example is, 'when you driving along reading the speed limit on the street signs, are you focusing on the design or what it says?'

These logos are much the same. Direct to the audience without having to confuse us or make us work to realize what we are wanting from the image.

It is a manifestation of creativity which enables customers to recognize with the company immediately what they do and what it is they're about.

Now im not going to go on dribbling about the design aspects of logo's, where the ideas have to come from and things about Corporate Identity Manuals.

The main reason for posting this is to recognize that artwork in general in the reproductive industry we work in, has and will always have significant importance.

Without the customers logo how would we be able to decorate the product?

Just something to consider when handling artwork. Do remember that this piece has come from somewhere at some time. Someone has put many hours into creating it to ensure that it is as good as it can be, and it might have even cost a pretty penny.

Photo By Artist -Basistka Vectored By - George

Welcome to Promotional Product Services.

Here at our new blog we would like to engage all printers, promotional companies, industrial designers/products, with technical difficulties, printing issues, graphic art queries and anything that is remotely relevant to Pad Printing, Screen Printing, Embossing and any other varieties of printing possible.

We understand at times it can be hard finding the information you need for the job that you have, because the area is very grey. Thats why we have started this blog. To try to get an online community happening in order to resolve issues, and just to marvel at the fact we can do this online, without having to travel Km's to talk 1 on 1.

There have been many new online applications pop up, but I have opted into using Blogger as my host for the blog.

Thanks for reading our first blog entry.

Keep your eyes peeled as we keep you updated, and as you keep us updated

Hope to hear from you guys soon.

George

http://www.ppservices.net.au