The logo is not only a symbol of the brand but also conveys the values and promises of the brand. By printing a logo on a product, a company can communicate its brand philosophy, quality assurance, and professionalism to consumers. At the same time, it helps consumers to quickly identify products and brands, improve brand awareness, enhance brand image, and enhance market competitiveness and customer loyalty. There are mainly the following kinds of logo printing technology:
Screen Printing
Advantages: screen printing is suitable for simple patterns composed of color blocks, plate making is convenient and low cost, and the printed pattern has a three-dimensional sense.
Disadvantages: Not suitable for printing too fine or gradient color patterns. Each color needs to be printed separately, if the logo color is more, there may be deviation when the color.
Applicability: Screen printing is suitable for thermos cups of various materials, including stainless steel, plastic, etc., which is a very common printing method.
Printing steps:
1. Design draft: Designers design logo patterns according to product characteristics and brand requirements. It is usually drawn using computer software and communicates with the client to confirm the design details.
2, file output: After the design is completed, the designer will output the design file into a format suitable for screen printing, such as vector files (AI, CDR, EPS, PDF) or high-definition picture format.
3, film production: the use of design files to make film, which is an important step in traditional screen printing plate making, used to transfer the image to the screen.
4, screen plate production: choose the appropriate screen (such as nylon wire mesh) and screen frame (such as wood frame, or aluminum frame), through the drawing process will be stretched on the screen frame, and then use film exposure, the formation of the pattern of the screen version.
5, color: according to the design requirements, adjust the ink color to ensure that the ink color is consistent with the color in the design drawing.
6, printing: Pour the ink into one end of the screen plate, use a scraper to apply a certain pressure on the screen plate, and squeeze the ink through the mesh to the surface of the product to form a pattern.
7, ink curing: After printing is completed, depending on the type of ink (such as UV ink), it may be necessary to dry and fix the ink by ultraviolet light curing or heat curing.
8, cleaning: after printing, it is necessary to clean the screen plate and remove the residual ink for the next use.
9, quality inspection: quality inspection of printed matter, check the clarity of the pattern, the accuracy of the color, etc., to ensure that the printing quality meets the requirements. If there is a problem, correct it in time.
Heat Transfer
Features: Thermal transfer is a technology that transfers patterns to the surface of the cup through a hot press, which can realize the printing of complex patterns, including photos and gradient colors, and can accurately copy images and patterns to ensure that the color of the LOGO is bright, the details are clear, and the visual effect is enhanced. The LOGO after heat transfer has the characteristics of being wear-resistant, washable, and UV-resistant, which is not easy to fade and maintain a long-term beauty
Disadvantages: The LOGO after transfer may be slightly hard, the feel of the cup body is different, and the color may change during the high temperature hot pressing process, such as white may turn yellow.
Applicability: Thermal transfer technology is not only suitable for ceramic cups but also can be applied to metal cups, plastic cups, and other materials of the cup body.
Environmental protection and non-toxic: The thermal transfer uses a special environmentally friendly ink, and does not contain harmful substances, in line with environmental standards.
Printing steps:
1. Design and make transfer paper: First of all, design the LOGO according to customer needs, and use a printer with thermal transfer ink to print it on a dedicated transfer paper, pay attention to choosing a paper type that matches the body quality of the cup, and carry out mirror printing.
2. Prepare the cup: Choosing the cup suitable for heat transfer printing usually requires ensuring that the surface of the cup is clean and flat, and sometimes a special coating is required on the cup.
3. Positioning and fixing: Place the transfer paper image face down on the cup body, and fix the cup according to the requirements of the transfer machine to ensure that the transfer paper is closely fitted to the cup body.
4. Heat transfer: Put the cup into the heat transfer machine and set the appropriate temperature and time. Generally speaking, the transfer temperature of porcelain is higher and the time is longer.
5. Cooling and inspection: After the transfer is completed, take out the cup for cooling, and check the LOGO transfer effect to ensure that the pattern is complete and colorful.
6. Post-processing: As needed, some post-processing work may also be required, such as removing excess transfer paper edges or surface protection.
Laser Engraving
Features: Laser engraving Engraving patterns on the surface of the thermos cup through a laser beam can be made from delicate decoration to complex geometric patterns, without the use of ink or chemicals, with permanence, high durability, and environmental protection.
Applicability: Suitable for thermos cups that require fine patterns and keep the logo clear for a long time.
Disadvantages: Compared to some traditional printing technologies, the production speed of laser engraving may be slower, and for some special materials or coatings, additional processing may be required or not suitable for laser engraving.
Printing steps:
1. Design preparation: First, you need to create or select a design suitable for laser engraving. The design should be high resolution to ensure clarity and detail of the carving.
2. Material selection: Select the right cup material according to product use, appearance, and durability. Common choices include metal, plastic, glass, etc.
3. Machine Settings: According to the type and thickness of the selected material, adjust the power, speed, and focus of the laser engraving machine to ensure the accuracy and depth of the engraving.
4. Positioning and fixing: Fix the cup on the work table of the laser engraving machine to ensure that the position of the LOGO engraving is accurate.
5. Engraving process: Start the laser engraving machine, the laser beam moves on the cup body according to the preset path, and the surface of the evaporated material forms a LOGO.
6. Post-processing: After the engraving is completed, it may be necessary to clean, quality check, and post-processing work such as painting or sealing to ensure the perfect presentation of the LOGO.
UV Spraying
Features: UV spraying is to spray UV varnish on the surface of the cup, and then through ultraviolet curing, forming a bright pattern, the surface gloss after spraying is high, improving the appearance of the product texture. The cured coating has high hardness and good wear resistance, which can better protect the LOGO of the cup body.
Applicability: Suitable for a variety of materials, including non-absorbent and absorbent materials, such as plastic, metal, glass, etc., where special effects are required or a protective layer of patterns is added.
Disadvantages: Although the coating is hard, it may also become more fragile and prone to cracking, requiring the use of specific UV-curable coatings and inks, and the selection is relatively limited.
Printing steps:
1. Design the LOGO: Design the LOGO according to the needs, and convert it into a format suitable for spraying.
2. Choose the material: Choose the right cup material and UV coating to ensure the compatibility of the two.
3. Prepare the equipment: Ensure that the UV spraying equipment and curing equipment are in good condition and adjusted to the appropriate parameters.
4. Spraying: The UV coating is sprayed on the cup body, and one or more layers can be sprayed according to the need.
5. Curing: Put the sprayed cup into the UV curing equipment, and make the coating cure quickly through ultraviolet light.
6. Check the quality: Check the gloss, hardness, and adhesion of the LOGO after curing to ensure the printing quality.
7. Post-processing: If necessary, additional processing, such as grinding, polishing, etc., to enhance the touch and appearance of the LOGO.
Hydrographics
Features: Water transfer is to print the pattern on the water transfer paper, and then transfer the pattern to the surface of the cup through the flow of water. It can transfer high-resolution and complex patterns, including photos, illustrations, text, etc., which can achieve complex and three-dimensional pattern effects, and the pattern color is bright, durable, and not easy to fade.
Applicability: A variety of materials and shapes of cups, including round, square, shaped, etc., are especially suitable for complex or curved cups.
Disadvantages: The water transfer pattern is easy to be damaged by scratching or wear during use, and the water transfer technology requires certain skills and experience, and improper operation may lead to incomplete patterns or unsatisfactory transfer effects.
Printing steps:
1. Design pattern: Design a LOGO pattern according to demand, and make paper or plastic water stickers suitable for water transfer.
2. Prepare the transfer cup: Choose the right cup and ensure that its surface is clean and grease-free.
3. Cut the water sticker: cut the designed water sticker to the right size and stick it on the surface of the cup.
4. Immersion: Immerse the cup with the water sticker in water, and use the pressure and tension of the water to make the pattern tightly combined with the surface of the cup.
5. Slip pattern: Gently slide the water sticker in the water to transfer the pattern completely to the surface of the cup.
6. Drying: Remove the transferred cup, place it in a ventilated dry place, or use a hair dryer to blow gently, so that the pattern is completely dry and fixed.
Post-processing: According to needs, the LOGO after transfer can be painted or sealed glaze and other protective processing to improve the durability and beauty of the pattern.
When choosing logo printing technology, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the LOGO design, the material of the thermos cup, the durability requirements, the cost budget, the environmental protection standards, and the personalized needs. For example, if the logo design is simple and requires a strong sense of three-dimensional, screen printing may be an affordable option. For logos that require fine patterns and long-term clarity, laser engraving may be a better choice. For logos with higher color requirements and more complex patterns, more will choose thermal transfer or water transfer. Each technology has its unique advantages and can be selected according to specific needs.
