Your logo matters but how it’s applied matters just as much. The right decoration method can lift your merch from a nice gesture to something people actually keep, use and remember your brand for. The wrong choice? It can fade, peel or feel cheap – not the impression you’re aiming for. Here’s a practical guide to choosing the best decoration method for your promotional products, based on product type, brand goals and budget.
Start With the Product
Before we talk decoration methods, ask one simple question: What is this product going to be used for – and how often?
Daily-use items like drink bottles, apparel and bags need durable decoration. Short-term items for events or campaigns can be more flexible. Once you’ve nailed the purpose, then the product – choosing the right method becomes much easier.
1. maxiCOLOUR and Full Colour Print
Best for paper products and complex artwork, maxiCOLOUR is our term for unlimited-colour printing using technologies like direct digital, CMYK and full-colour transfer printing. It’s perfect when you’ve got a detailed design or photo-like artwork.
Why Choose It
- Unlimited colours and gradients
- Accurate reproduction of complex artwork
- Works well on products where full colour matters
When It’s Right
Your design relies on colour depth and detail rather than flat spot colours.
2. One, Two, Three & Four Colour Print
Best for: drinkware, bags, pens and flat surfaces, these are exactly as they sound – it’s where we print products in a limited number of colours. We use mostly use these processes to achieve these prints: Pad Printing, Screen Printing, Rotary Printing, Heat Transfers, Sublimation and Offset Printing. You may also see us ordering things like ‘1 Colour Wrap Print’ – that means the print wraps all the way around the product – typically on mugs and bottles.
Why Choose It
- Cost-effective for bold branding
- Reliable finish
- Versatile across products
When It’s Right
This decoration method is right when you have a simple, bold design, are ordering in volume, and want a reliable, cost-effective print on flat or wrap-friendly products.
3. Embroidery
Best for: Apparel, caps and bags, embroidery stitches your logo directly into fabric with coloured threads. At Promotion Products we use 10,000-stitch embroidery as standard – twice the industry norm – for depth and quality.
Why Choose It
- Premium, lasting finish
- Ideal for uniforms and higher-end garments
- Works well for organisation branding
When It’s Right
You want a professional, tactile look that stands up to repeated wear.
4. Laser Engraving
Best for metal, wood and premium gifts, laser engraving uses focused light to etch your logo into the product surface. This method is permanent and sophisticated for a high-end look.
Why Choose It
- Long-lasting and premium feel
- No inks – clean, understated branding
- Great for high-end corporate gifts
When It’s Right
You want understated yet enduring branding that lasts a lifetime.
5. SupaSub & SupaEtch
Best for hard-to-decorate items, badges and fashion-forward gear, these are specialised options that give you full-colour or etched suede patches sewn on to products.
- SupaSub: A sublimated patch with fine-detail full colour
- SupaEtch: A laser-etched suede patch for a premium badge finish
Why Choose Them
- Full colour logos and detailed designs on tricky materials
- Stylish, contemporary look
- Excellent for bags, scarves, jackets and caps
When It’s Right
You’re after standout visual impact or want to give promo items a fashion-led twist.
6. Foil Stamping
Best for premium packaging, notebooks, cards and gift items, foil stamping uses heat and pressure to apply a metallic foil finish to your logo or message. The result is a smooth, reflective imprint that instantly elevates the product.
Foil Stamping Options Include:
- Gold, silver and coloured foils
- Matte or gloss finishes
- Subtle accents or bold statement logos
Why Choose It
- Eye-catching, high-end look
- Adds perceived value without adding bulk
- Perfect for premium or corporate gifting
When It’s Right
You want your merch to feel special, gift-worthy and unmistakably premium.
7. Embossing & Debossing
Best for leather, notebooks and wooden products, embossing raises your logo above the surface, while debossing presses it into the material. Both create a subtle, tactile brand impression without using ink.
- Embossing: A raised logo for visual and tactile impact
- Debossing: A recessed logo for a refined, understated finish
Why Choose Them
- Sophisticated, minimalist branding
- No ink or colour required
- Long-lasting and wear-resistant
When It’s Right
Your brand values quality, restraint and detail – and you want merch that feels considered rather than shouty.
8. Etching
Best for glassware, metal items and premium gifts, etching permanently marks your logo into the surface of the product, creating a frosted or matte finish that won’t fade or peel over time.
Why Choose It
- Permanent and durable
- Clean, elegant finish
- Ideal for reusable, long-life products
When It’s Right
You’re investing in higher-quality items and want branding that lasts as long as the product itself.
Decoration Methods Comparison Guide
| Decoration Method | Best For | Durability | Look |
| maxiCOLOUR/Full Colour Print | Complex or detailed artwork, gradients, photos | Medium | Bold |
| 1, 2, 3 & 4 Colour Prints | Simple logos on flat or curved surfaces | Medium–High | Clean, classic |
| Embroidery | Apparel, headwear, uniforms | Very high | Premium, professional |
| Laser Engraving | Metal drinkware, tech items, premium gifts | Permanent | Elegant, understated |
| SupaSub/SupaEtch | Hard-to-decorate items, badges, fashion-led merch | High | Contemporary, standout |
| Foil Stamping | Notebooks, packaging, gift items | Medium | Luxurious, eye-catching |
| Embossing/Debossing | Leather, notebooks | High | Subtle, refined |
| Etching | Glassware, metal products | Permanent | Clean, sophisticated |
Our Honest Advice on Decoration Methods? Ask the Experts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best decoration method depends on:
- Product material
- Usage lifespan
- Brand style
- Budget and quantity
At Promotion Products, this is exactly what we help with – making sure your merch looks great and holds up over time. With 25+ years of experience, a quality guarantee and carbon offset on every order, we’ll guide you to the right choice without the guesswork. Chat with our merch experts today, we’ll make it easy, and we’ll make it right.
Marketing Coordinator at Promotion Products. Eve holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Marketing. She combines creativity and strategy to help brands make a lasting impression through thoughtful merchandise. Passionate about creating community through merch, storytelling and design, Eve oversees everything from campaign planning to content creation – championing merchandise as the powerful marketing medium it is.