Putting a logo on a gift sounds simple. In practice, the branding method decides how the gift looks, how long the logo lasts, and sometimes whether the logo can go on that product at all.
This guide explains the six methods we use at Innovative Gifting — what each one physically does, which materials it suits and how to prepare your artwork. If you'd like to see them happen, each one is demonstrated on our customization page.
The six methods at a glance
| Method | How it works | Best on | The look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery | Thread is stitched into the fabric | Polos, shirts, jackets, caps, bags | Textured, premium; optional raised 3D puff |
| Laser engraving | A laser removes or marks the surface | Metal pens, steel bottles, wood | Permanent, precise, tonal or bare-metal |
| Blind embossing | A heated die presses the design into the material | Leather and PU diaries, folios, card holders | Subtle, tonal, tactile — no ink |
| UV DTF printing | A printed transfer is applied and the film peeled away | Bottles, tumblers, hard and curved surfaces | Full colour, sharp detail |
| UV stickers | A printed sticker is applied to the surface | Gift boxes, notebooks, hard accessories | Full colour, often with a glossy finish |
| Sublimation printing | Heat turns the ink into gas that bonds into the surface | Polyester fabric, coated mugs and items | Full colour, part of the surface, no raised edge |
Embroidery
How it works: An embroidery machine stitches your design into the fabric with coloured thread. The needle stays in place while the garment, held tight in a hoop, moves beneath it.
Best for: polo shirts, shirts, jackets, caps and bags — anything made of fabric that will be worn or carried.
Things to know:
- Embroidery suits bold shapes and clear lettering. Very fine lines and tiny text are harder to stitch cleanly.
- Our embroidery supports 15+ thread colours per design and designs of 10k+ stitches.
- 3D puff embroidery stitches over a foam layer to give the logo a raised, dimensional finish — best on caps and bold, simple logos.
See our apparel collection.
Laser engraving
How it works: A focused laser marks or removes the surface layer. On powder-coated bottles, it removes the coating to reveal the bare steel underneath; on wood, it darkens the surface. Round items turn on a rotary attachment so the design follows the curve.
Best for: metal pens, stainless steel bottles and tumblers, wooden items and tags.
Things to know:
- Engraving is permanent and doesn't wear off like print.
- It's tonal — it doesn't add colour — which makes it look refined on premium gifts.
- It's ideal for personalising with individual names.
Blind embossing and debossing
How it works: A heated metal die is pressed into the material under pressure and held for a few seconds. When it lifts, the design remains pressed into the surface. "Blind" means no foil or ink is used — the logo shows only through shadow and texture.
Best for: leather and PU diaries, notebook covers, folios and card holders.
Things to know:
- The result is subtle and tactile, which suits executive and client gifts.
- Simple, bold logos read best; very fine detail can be lost in the material's grain.
UV DTF printing
How it works: Your design is printed with UV-cured ink onto a transfer sheet. The backing is peeled off, the transfer is laid onto the product and pressed down firmly, and the clear top film is peeled away — leaving only the design on the surface.
Best for: bottles, tumblers and other hard, smooth or curved surfaces.
Things to know:
- It reproduces full-colour logos and fine detail well.
- It works on curved surfaces where direct printing is difficult.
Custom UV stickers
How it works: Your design is printed as a sticker — often with a glossy, raised finish on parts of the artwork — then applied to the product and pressed flat.
Best for: gift boxes, notebooks and hard accessories, and packaging.
Things to know:
- Quick and versatile for packaging and smaller runs.
- Best on clean, flat, hard surfaces.
Sublimation printing
How it works: The design is printed in mirror image on transfer paper with sublimation ink, wrapped onto the product and heat-pressed. The heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds into polyester fibres or a special polymer coating, so the design becomes part of the surface.
Best for: polyester fabrics and specially coated items such as sublimation mugs.
Things to know:
- Full-colour designs with no raised edge — you can't feel the print.
- It only works on polyester or coated surfaces, not on cotton or uncoated ceramics.
Preparing your logo
Good artwork makes every method easier:
- Send vector artwork in SVG or EPS format wherever possible — it gives the cleanest result for every method. Contact our team if you need help preparing your artwork.
- Share your brand colours as Pantone or hex values.
- Keep it simple for small sizes. Thin lines and small text can fill in on embroidery and blur on embossing; a simplified version of your logo often works better.
- Have a single-colour version ready for engraving and embossing.
Placement and size
- Apparel: left chest is the classic, understated position; sleeves and back suit events and team wear.
- Bottles and pens: keep the logo modest and aligned with the product's shape.
- Leather: centred or bottom-right on the cover, sized to leave space around it.
- Packaging: the lid, sleeve or gift tag is often the best place for your brand on a client gift.
Always approve a digital mockup before production — it's the easiest way to catch size and placement issues.
Branding vs personalisation
Branding puts your logo on every gift. Personalisation adds the recipient's name or initials. Personalisation feels more thoughtful — particularly for client and leadership gifts — but takes longer, because every item is different and the name list has to be checked carefully. Engraving and embossing are the most common choices for names.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to put a logo on corporate gifts?
It depends on the material: embroidery for fabric, laser engraving for metal and wood, blind embossing for leather, and UV DTF, UV stickers or sublimation printing for full-colour logos on suitable surfaces.
Which branding method lasts longest?
Engraving, embroidery and embossing are physically part of the product, so they don't rub off like surface print. How long any finish lasts also depends on the product and how it's used.
Can you print a full-colour logo on a steel bottle?
Yes — UV DTF transfers are well suited to full-colour logos on hard and curved surfaces like bottles. Laser engraving is the better choice if you want a permanent, single-tone mark.
Can each gift carry a different name?
Yes. Laser engraving and embossing are commonly used for individual names. Allow extra time and share a checked name list.
Choosing the right method is half of what makes a branded gift look premium. If you're not sure which suits your product, see each method in action or send us your logo for a mockup.
