UV printing, engraving, embroidery, sublimation—what exactly do these terms mean? Our website is full of all this terminology, which can sometimes be confusing for many of our customers.
We have developed a very simple guide with some definitions to explain the multiple processes of customizing an object, but first a brief description of the raw materials we use according to their associated customization.
Raw materials
DRINK
Most of our wood is FSC certified, which certifies sustainable sourcing from forests. If the product sheet does not indicate this certification, it means our manufacturer already uses processes based on sustainable development principles, but has not yet obtained certification.
COTTON AND ORGANIC COTTON
All our bags are made from natural or organic cotton. These products are manufactured by seamstresses located in Granby.
With cotton, you can screen print your logo and/or add a label that will be sewn onto the side of the item.
RECYCLED PUL
The recycled polyester we use is made from recycled plastic bottles and manufactured in Quebec. It's a very malleable and versatile material. It's also waterproof since it's laminated on the back.
VINTEX
Vintex is a material we love to use because it's a cross between fabric and cardboard. This material is made from 70% recycled paper. Although rigid at the beginning of its life, it takes on the desired shape over time. It's available in two colors: black and Sahara.
Terminology
PANTONE
Pantone hues are standardized colors referenced in a sample called a color chart or "pantone" chart. They are mainly used in printing, because the CMYK spectrum does not allow all shades to be obtained.
CMYK
Acronym used to designate the four primary colors, or more precisely the three primary colors plus black, which are used in four-color printing. C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K (black).
MOCK-UP
A mock-up is a term borrowed from English which means model.
TECHNICAL PLAN
A technical drawing is a detailed representation of an object before its construction. It includes several important indicators for the production of the product: the materials used, the scale, the different views of the object, the section lines, etc.
The technical plan is essential for an optimal understanding of all suppliers involved in the project.
LOGO FORMAT
All logos/graphic elements must be vectorized and sent in .eps, .ai, .svg format. Logos sent in .png and .jpeg are not of sufficient quality to be used in the production of objects.
Types of customization
DEFINITION OF CUSTOMIZATION
Personalization is the term we use to define that an object will be modified according to the tastes and needs of our clients. It can be done in multiple ways using various techniques.
SUBLIMATION ($)
Sublimation printing is a technique that uses heat-sensitive inks. These inks transform into gases under the influence of heat and are combined with a 100% polyester backing. We use this technique to print a large quantity of fabrics with various designers at a very reasonable price. For example, our reusable bags made from recycled polyester were printed using sublimation printing.
UV PRINTING ($)
UV printing is done using a highly efficient machine. We generally use this technique to print on wood or aluminum. It's a second option to engraving when you want to add color to your design, since engraving only offers black as a rendering. The colors will be in CMYK format.
ENGRAVING ($)
Engraving is usually done with a laser engraving machine. The elements to be engraved must be black. The space between the different elements of the logo must be at least 1 mm for readability.
Engraving can generally be done on solid materials such as wood and aluminum.
SCREEN PRINTING ($$)
Screen printing involves passing ink through a screen with a predefined pattern. The color passes through the screen to form an imprint on the fabric. Each color in the design requires a different screen to accurately create the pattern's colored shapes. The term "silk" is often used to refer to screen printing during production.
This technique is often used for printing on natural materials (cotton).
LABEL ($$)
Labels are a simple way to personalize clothing and items. We use woven or printed labels to add subtle personalization to products.
EMBROIDERY ($$$)
Embroidery is considered a great craft. At Kotmo, we use industrial machines to increase efficiency and reduce costs. However, it remains one of the most expensive techniques given its highly refined results.
The price varies depending on the embroidery size and is calculated per stitch. To get the exact cost of customizing your logo, you need to calculate the number of stitches using specialized equipment. We offer a range of prices to give you an idea of the costs. Each price will be adjusted based on the desired size of your logo.
We will then need the Pantone code of your color to make it easier to find the thread color.
Your project is unique
The type of customization and its costs are greatly influenced by the quantity of products desired. Do not hesitate to ask our team for advice to define the most suitable and advantageous customization for your project.
A Short Guide to Customizing Objects
UV printing, engraving, embroidery, sublimation—what exactly do these terms mean? Our website is full of all this terminology, which can sometimes be confusing for many of our customers.
We have developed a very simple guide with some definitions to explain the multiple processes of customizing an object, but first a brief description of the raw materials we use according to their associated customization.
Raw materials
DRINK
Most of our wood is FSC certified, which certifies sustainable sourcing from forests. If the product sheet does not indicate this certification, it means our manufacturer already uses processes based on sustainable development principles, but has not yet obtained certification.
COTTON AND ORGANIC COTTON
All our bags are made from natural or organic cotton. These products are manufactured by seamstresses located in Granby.
With cotton, you can screen print your logo and/or add a label that will be sewn onto the side of the item.
RECYCLED PUL
The recycled polyester we use is made from recycled plastic bottles and manufactured in Quebec. It's a very malleable and versatile material. It's also waterproof since it's laminated on the back.
VINTEX
Vintex is a material we love to use because it's a cross between fabric and cardboard. This material is made from 70% recycled paper. Although rigid at the beginning of its life, it takes on the desired shape over time. It's available in two colors: black and Sahara.
Terminology
PANTONE
Pantone hues are standardized colors referenced in a sample called a color chart or "pantone" chart. They are mainly used in printing, because the CMYK spectrum does not allow all shades to be obtained.
CMYK
Acronym used to designate the four primary colors, or more precisely the three primary colors plus black, which are used in four-color printing. C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K (black).
MOCK-UP
A mock-up is a term borrowed from English which means model.
TECHNICAL PLAN
A technical drawing is a detailed representation of an object before its construction. It includes several important indicators for the production of the product: the materials used, the scale, the different views of the object, the section lines, etc.
The technical plan is essential for an optimal understanding of all suppliers involved in the project.
LOGO FORMAT
All logos/graphic elements must be vectorized and sent in .eps, .ai, .svg format. Logos sent in .png and .jpeg are not of sufficient quality to be used in the production of objects.
Types of customization
DEFINITION OF CUSTOMIZATION
Personalization is the term we use to define that an object will be modified according to the tastes and needs of our clients. It can be done in multiple ways using various techniques.
SUBLIMATION ($)
Sublimation printing is a technique that uses heat-sensitive inks. These inks transform into gases under the influence of heat and are combined with a 100% polyester backing. We use this technique to print a large quantity of fabrics with various designers at a very reasonable price. For example, our reusable bags made from recycled polyester were printed using sublimation printing.
UV PRINTING ($)
UV printing is done using a highly efficient machine. We generally use this technique to print on wood or aluminum. It's a second option to engraving when you want to add color to your design, since engraving only offers black as a rendering. The colors will be in CMYK format.
ENGRAVING ($)
Engraving is usually done with a laser engraving machine. The elements to be engraved must be black. The space between the different elements of the logo must be at least 1 mm for readability.
Engraving can generally be done on solid materials such as wood and aluminum.
SCREEN PRINTING ($$)
Screen printing involves passing ink through a screen with a predefined pattern. The color passes through the screen to form an imprint on the fabric. Each color in the design requires a different screen to accurately create the pattern's colored shapes. The term "silk" is often used to refer to screen printing during production.
This technique is often used for printing on natural materials (cotton).
LABEL ($$)
Labels are a simple way to personalize clothing and items. We use woven or printed labels to add subtle personalization to products.
EMBROIDERY ($$$)
Embroidery is considered a great craft. At Kotmo, we use industrial machines to increase efficiency and reduce costs. However, it remains one of the most expensive techniques given its highly refined results.
The price varies depending on the embroidery size and is calculated per stitch. To get the exact cost of customizing your logo, you need to calculate the number of stitches using specialized equipment. We offer a range of prices to give you an idea of the costs. Each price will be adjusted based on the desired size of your logo.
We will then need the Pantone code of your color to make it easier to find the thread color.
Your project is unique
The type of customization and its costs are greatly influenced by the quantity of products desired. Do not hesitate to ask our team for advice to define the most suitable and advantageous customization for your project.