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“Imprint” is the name for the mark that’s added to your product. Examples include “CORNHOLE CHAMPION ‘03” on your favorite mug, “PRINCESS SNUFFLE BUTT” engraved in your dog’s collar tag, or the “I’m with stupid” on that t-shirt your hilarious brother bought your wife.

The process of adding the imprint is called – yes, really – imprinting. It varies depending on factors like material and cost. Where the imprint goes depends on the product, and you have more options with some products than others.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key things you might want to know about imprints and imprinting, including options for different products, imprinting processes, and a little bit on color and cost.

Every Item Has an Imprint Area

A photo of cups, pens, a backpack, and a plastic wallet printed with YOUR LOGO in black, underneath a logo made using the letters YL in a circle.

The imprint area is the space on an item where we can add the imprint. This location varies from product to product. For instance, the imprint area of a pen is on the barrel, whereas the imprint area of a tote bag is typically across the front (but we love a maverick.)

Imprint Area Size Varies

Obviously, the size of the imprint area is determined by the dimensions of the product. For example, as you have undoubtedly noticed, tote bags are a lot larger than pens, so the imprint area on tote bags is larger as well.

A photo of a black tote bag with YOUR DESIGN HERE printed in white on the front. Another photo of the bag is inset, with a dotted line square on the front and the text IMPRINT SIZE 8in H X 8in W in white.

Custom Tote Bags Imprint Size: 8″ H x 8″ W

A photo of a black pen with the text YOUR DESIGN HERE on the barrel in white. Inset is another photo of the pen, zoomed in on the barrel to show a dotted line around the words IMPRINT SIZE 0.75in H X 1.75in W in silver.

Custom Pens Imprint Size: 0.75″ H x 1.75″ W

Find the Imprint Area

You need to know where your design will go on the final product. Scroll through to see the imprint areas of some of the most popular promotional products:

  • T-Shirt Imprint Area

    You have a lot of fun choices when you’re printing on t-shirts. The imprint can take up a small part of the front or back, or the whole front, whole back, or both! You can also add custom designs to the pocket (if there is one) or on the sleeves.

    A photo of a white t shirt on a gray background, with YOUR DESIGN HERE printed in black on the front.

  • Koozie Imprint Area

    For custom koozies, your imprint can go on the front, back, or bottom. The truly bold can order koozies with the design printed in all three locations.

    A photo of a can in a dark green koozie, with the text YOUR DESIGN HERE printed on the front. The can rests on gravel, next to a purple plant.

  • Hat Imprint Area

    Your style of hat determines where the imprint goes. Most of the time, the imprint will be across the front, but not always. For example, some beanies are customized on the cuffed area, aka the brim. And some people like to wear their hats backwards, which would technically move a design that was on the front to the back. (You know what, let’s not overthink it.)

    A photo of a man wearing a green coat, gray scarf, and a green beanie embroidered with YOUR DESIGN HERE in white on the brim.

  • Drinkware Imprint Area

    Custom mugs, plastic cups, wine glasses, and tumblers can be decorated on one side (a single imprint) or both sides (a double imprint). You may also have the option of a wrap imprint, which wraps (nearly) all the way around. Like IMAX for mugs.

    A photo of a hand holding a purple mug with YOUR DESIGN HERE in white on the front, with a stream of coffee pouring into it.

  • Hand Sanitizer Imprint Area

    Your design is usually printed on a custom label that fits around the hand sanitizer bottle. These printed labels are also used for promotional lip balm and sunscreen.

    A photo of someone squeezing antibacterial gel into their flat palm, with YOUR DESIGN HERE printed in white on a blue label on the bottle.

  • Post-It Note Imprint Area

    Your design takes up the full space of every piece of paper in the pad. This full-page effect is achieved using bleed printing (which we would’ve named this company if we were vampires.) Every page is flooded with the design and then the product is trimmed, so each page is covered edge to edge. The bleed refers to the part that’s left behind, as in it bled over.

    A photo from above of a person in a gray sweater writing on a Post It notepad, which is resting on a blue table.

  • Sunglasses Imprint Area

    If you want to be practical, look for custom sunglasses with the imprint on the temples (i.e. the arms that go either side of your head.) However, if you want to make sure they physically cannot look away from your logo, you can also imprint on the lens. Like we said, we love a maverick.

    A photo of a smiling woman wearing silver sunglasses with shiny blue lenses.

  • Blanket Imprint Area

    Custom blankets are the perfect blank canvas for your imprint. It can either be small and tucked into the corner, or large enough to take up the entire front.

    A photo of a blanket with a white sherpa lining and shiny blue outer layer, with YOUR DESIGN HERE printed in white on one corner.

  • Umbrella Imprint Area

    The design on your custom umbrella is printed on one panel of the rain-shielding canopy. The person under it won’t be able to see it, but everyone else will.

    A photo of a folded green umbrella and the same umbrella opened. The inside is green and the outside is black, with YOUR DESIGN HERE printed in white on one outside panel.

  • Headphones and Earbuds Imprint Areas

    Headphones have the imprint on the rounded ear pads. Earbuds, on the other hand (ear? head?) are housed in a case that’s printed with the design.

    A photo of metallic gray headphones with a matching case, which is printed with YOUR DESIGN HERE in white.

  • Business Cards Imprint Area

    Business cards are about 3.5” x 2”. Your information – name, job title, logo, website, contact details, blood type, favorite color etc. – is printed to fill up the front. You also have the option to add a design on the back.

    A photo of a person holding a blank white business card.

Pro Tip: Be sure to check the digital mockup of your item, so you know exactly what to expect when you receive your order.

Pro Tip

Every Item Also has an Imprint Color

As you can probably guess, an imprint color is the color used to create the imprint. Most imprinting techniques only include one imprint color. However, embroidered items come in multiple thread colors, and full color printing makes it possible for you to print a photo or colorful ad. So you can still design in all the colors of the rainbow!

A top down photo of coloring pages, and crayons in a white box printed with YOUR DESIGN HERE in black.

List of Imprint Methods

Factories use different imprint methods depending on factors like the type of material and cost. Here’s a quick guide to these processes:

  • Photo of someone with painted red nails holding a red plastic tube of lip balm, printed with YOUR LOGO in white and YL in a circle.

    Screen Printing

    Ink is pressed through a screen onto the item. New screens are used for each ink color, so this printing process usually comes with one free color.

  • A photo of a cartoon pirate on a red background, with the word Pirate in blue below.

    Full Color Printing

    A digital printer prints the design on the item. Unlimited ink colors are included in the cost, making this a great option if you want to print a colorful logo. Or if you want your brother’s bachelor party t-shirts to feature a full-color photo of him dressed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

  • A photo of a blue stress reliever shaped like a brain, with YOUR DESIGN HERE printed in white.

    Pad Printing

    A stamp covered in ink is pressed onto the item, leaving behind a print of your design. This printing process usually comes with one free color.

  • A photo of someone wearing a red sweater with YOUR DESIGN HERE printed in silver on the front.

    Heat Transfer

    Heat passes through special paper, sealing the imprint onto the item. This imprint process usually comes with one free color for the decoration.

  • A photo of a dark brown leather surface with the word Embossed embossed into it.

    Emboss/Deboss

    In embossing, the area around the design is pressed in, so the design appears raised. In debossing, the design itself is stamped into the material.

    Say your image is a heart. If it’s embossed, the heart will look raised. If it’s debossed, the heart will look deeper than the material around it. Because there’s no ink involved, embossing and debossing are pretty durable imprinting techniques.

  • A photo of a silver metal keychain, with thePersonal engraved on it.

    Laser Engraving

    A laser permanently etches the imprint into the item. No ink is used, resulting in a design that lasts longer. So sci-fi.

  • A photo of blue and white marled fabric, with QUALITY LOGO PRODUCTS and the QLP logo embroidered into it in white thread.

    Embroidery

    The imprint is stitched onto a fabric item such as a sweatshirt or blanket. Multiple thread colors are usually included in the cost. Embroidery is typically more durable than ink.

  • LAX NIGHTCLUB printed in bronze-colored metallic foil on a gray surface.

    Foil Stamp

    Metallic foils are used to create the imprint. No ink is used, resulting in a design that lasts longer.

  • A top down photo of colorful M&M candies.

    Offset Printing

    The design is created using water or oil-based inks. This imprint method is commonly used to customize pieces of candy.

Imprinting Costs

A photo of hands holding wads of cash, holding one bill out towards the camera.

While we include the cost of the imprint in your total cost, there may be additional charges in certain circumstances. For example:


  • Extra imprint colors for screen printed items (usually only one color is included)

  • Printing in multiple locations on an item (if it’s not already included)

  • An assortment of product colors with different ink colors

  • Setup charges that cover the cost of running the machines (depending on the item)

The Bottom Line

We’ve barely debossed the surface of all there is to learn about that little (or large) imprint space. Luckily, your dedicated rep can answer all your questions about imprint areas, colors, and methods. With their help, and this exceptionally well-written blog post, you can make sure your design stands out – or in, if you go the engraving or debossing route – whichever product and imprint you pick.

Let our team of awesome, incredibly good looking,
and fun promo nerds help you select awesome promotional swag today!

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Natasha Lavender

Natasha is an experienced writer and editor who has covered topics including technology, health and safety, business, and pop culture. Her work has been published by Good Housekeeping magazine, Forbes, Success, and more.

View all posts by Natasha Lavender