Decoration Methods

Embroidery

Applies to: Clothing and Accessories

A traditional decoration method for fabric, embroidery provides a classic, high-quality feel to your design. Modern embroidery machines employ various precision stitching methods to provide exceptional detail and texture. Popular stitching locations include left/right chest and left/right upper sleeve.

Puff Embroidery

Applies to: Clothing and Accessories

Also known as 3D embroidery, puff embroidery involves stitches over a substrate like foam to create a dimensional effect. It is particularly popular on ball caps, but can also be applied to other heavier-weight apparel items like sweatshirts, jackets, vests or aprons for extra pop! It is not recommended for lightweight items such as t-shirts or highly detailed designs.

Applique

Applies to: Clothing and Accessories

Applique, derived from the French word “appliquer” - to apply, involves stitching pieces of cut fabric or other material onto a larger piece to create different designs and fabric. It’s a great alternative to embroidery for larger areas, where the stitch count may be cost prohibitive.

Applique is a timeless look and commonly found on sweaters, jackets and vests, including many of the U of A items we carry in the store!

Patches

Applies to: Clothing and Accessories

Custom patches are a fun way to add dimension and durability to jackets, vests, hats, bags and more, and can add a bit of a vintage or retro look to your project. They’re often used for badge or crest designs as they can be stitched onto any piece of clothing.

Patches can be constructed in many different ways using different materials. Some common options include embroidered, leather, woven, rubber and chenille (i.e. varsity lettering) patches.

Screenprint

Applies to: Clothing, accessories, drinkware, promotional items, tablecloths, flags, etc.

Screenprint is one of the most common types of decoration and the most cost-effective option for large quantities. It is perfect for 1-3 colour images. A vintage distressed effect can also be applied.

As the name suggests, screenprinting involves pushing ink through a fine screen that has been masked with the design. If multiple colours are being printing, each colour requires a separate screen. The more screens there are, the higher the cost, which is why we recommend this process for 3 colours or less.

Screenprinted designs have a more casual look compared to embroidery and are common on t-shirts and bags. Screenprinting is also commonly used on drinkware, gift and promotional items like pens, tech accessories, etc.

Sublimation

Applies to: Polyester and polyester blend fabric items

Sublimation infuses ink into fabric fibres using heat and pressure, creating a vibrant, permanent print that can go seam to seam. It’s sort of like a tattoo for fabric that won’t crack, peel or wash away! As the designs are first printed onto a special paper and then transferred via heat, it allows for full colour printing with minimal setup, opening up huge design possibilities.

Note that sublimation is only recommended for polyester and polyester blend items. It is also not suitable if super precise placement is required.

Sublimation is commonly used for lanyards, tablecloths and flags, although it can also be used for shirts, jerseys and other clothing items. Sublimation printed fabric can also be used for applique, allowing you to print a custom design or pattern inside your shapes!

Heat Transfer

Applies to: Clothing, accessories, bags, drinkware

Heat transfer allows for full-colour, detailed prints on clothing, bags, drinkware and more without breaking the bank! It involves printing the image onto a substrate with a digital printer and then transferring the graphic onto the material.

Since the setup time is much lower than other methods like silkscreen, embroidery or applique, the cost and minimum quantities are generally also reduced.

Laser Engraving

Applies to: Gift and drinkware items

With laser engraving, your design can be etched right into wood, metal, glass, acrylic, plexiglass, or even leather. The precision laser creates clean, even lines, making this method suitable for both simple and highly detailed designs.

Debossing and Embossing

Applies to: Paper, leather and vegan leather products

Embossing and debossing both use a die to imprint a design into your item. The difference? Embossing creates a raised effect that pops out of the surface, while debossing presses the design into your substrate, creating a sunken effect. Both techniques impart a luxurious tactile quality to your item that makes it feel special.

Pad Printing

Applies to: Small or rounded gift and promotional items

Pad printing uses a silicone pad to transfer ink onto a product. It works well for small and highly detailed logos and can be used on rounded, uneven or slanted product shapes, such as pens. Since it is a spot colour printing process, each additional ink colour typically comes with a charge, so it’s usually recommended for 1-3 colours.

AquaMark

Applies to: Drinkware

The AquaMark process is similar to traditional heat transfer, but using inks specifically developed for drinkware. The graphic is printed onto a transfer sheet, and then applied directly to the item. A protective clear overlay is applied over top of the graphic, although hand-washing is still recommended. Aquamark can be used for PMS colour matches and full colour printing. Graphics can be applied to dark or glass substrates with the addition of a white underlay.

Offset and Digital Printing

From fun stickers to postcards, notebooks, calendars and more, offset and digital printing can open up all kinds of creative possibilities for promoting your department or group. We can pair up a printed element with other custom items to help you enhance your next promotion without breaking the bank. For example, you could combine a sheet of stickers with a water bottle, a notebook, a pen and a bag for a fun custom Open House package.

Attending an event or conference? Stand out with professional quality tablecloths, backdrops, banners and flags.