RKC Promo Blog

Die Cut

The use of sharp, steel rules to cut shapes in printed material, such as a “window” that lets you see through the cover of a brochure.  This term also applies to paper products, magnets and other printed material where a “die” is prepared and then used to cut the outer edge to create a specific shape like a house shaped magnet or business card.

Embossing

A process that stamps an image into the surface of paper, using engraved metal dies, extreme pressure and heat. Embossing styles include a raised design created by making an impression on the reverse side.

Debossing

A depressed design created by making an impression into the surface. Debossing is often used on leather and other material where an impression from the back can’t easily be made.

Foil

An impression that applies a thin metallic “foil” to a design.  Some processes allow foil to be applied over an embossed area and will often incur a close registration charge.  Foil stamping is also applied to paper stock (generally cover stock) of a metallic, tissue-like material that resembles foil, available in a variety of colors and patterns.

CMYK – Refers to the four process colors – cyan, magenta, yellow and black-used in 4-color printing.  CMYK is used for digital printing (sublimation is a digital CMYK process which uses heat to transfer dye onto a medium such as a plastic card, paper, or fabric.) CMYK is blended by the printing device during application.  This process is in contrast to spot color printing where each color is applied separately. The four inks used in 4-color process printing are:

Cyan is a light-blue color.

Magenta is a pinkish purple color.

Yellow

Key Black

Four color process printing wasn’t common and it was very expensive.  More suppliers are offering it on more products and the price is much more reasonable.  It wasn’t so long ago that it was only available on paper products.  One color imprints continue to be the most economical option for most items.  It is best for photographic images.

Currently there are several promotional product suppliers using 4 color process on key tags and other plastic products.  Table covers are availabe with 4 color process but the prices continue to be more than a one color screen print.

RGB – The colors (red, green, blue) used to create images on a PC monitor or TV screen. Sometimes there is a challenge to change these colors to print using cyan, magenta, yellow and black as they are two distinct color formats.  When working with the original or appropriate program, the switch is simplified.

Registration is the alignment of image components that is required to correctly produce a clear, precise image. For example, the four colors in 4-color process printing must combine properly on the page to produce the desired result but the best example is when printing spot colors, the first color is run and then the second color and so forth.

Close registration occurs when the two colors are very close together.  The printer often charges a close registration fee if the distance between the colors is outside an acceptable range which varies by printer.  Some promotional products can only be printed in one color because either the process (pad, screen, offset) or the equipment can’t do multiple colors.

A bitmap (BMP) image is an electronic image file mapped on a grid (raster) of small squares called pixels. Each pixel is assigned a specific location and color. Bitmap files are commonly used for photographs.  Bitmaps are best when the file is saved to the exact size it will be displayed or printed.  Raster graphics are resolution dependent so they don’t do well when they are made larger. Resizing causes a “grainy” look because they lose quality when resized.  This graphic is best used for photographs.

The images also become less useable when they are saved and re-saved using different “graphic” programs.  Each time a graphic is “rendered” by another program, the quality can be changed.

More and more promotional products are available with 4 color process printing.  It remains a little more expensive if you can use a one color imprint but is more competitive than paying for individual spot colors.  Some setup charges are high but there are also suppliers who don’t have any setup charges.

A term used to describe ink coverage that extends all the way to the edge of a page, paper, piece of fabric or other printed surface. This is accomplished by printing on paper or fabric larger than the finished size of a publication, bag, shirt or other embellished item, then trimming either the item to the desired size or sewing so the seams appear to be at the edge. 

Bleeds are often used on business cards so that the white border of the paper doesn’t show on the card.  Some custom bag and t-shirt manufacturers use the process to print on fabric before it is sewn.  Bleeds enable use of the entire surface of the paper, fabric or other product.  Production time for fabric bleeds may be longer than normal.

I hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday.  Since the holiday falls on Sunday, most suppliers who recognize the holiday will be closed tomorrow.  Texas and Oklahoma had a lot of rain over the weekend but it didn’t stop  most celebrations!  In spite of the rain everyone should be enjoying the promotional products.  You might say “What promotional products?”  Look around for can coolers, flying discs, imprinted plastic cups or mugs, sunglasses, visors, ball caps, t-shirts, and much more!  Advertising messages are everywhere!

You’ve arrived at our blog and the intent is to educate. Our websites utilize several industry databases to provide search access to the greatest number of promotional products.  There are several subscription based product research providers in our industry.  Each provides unique services based on the subscription level.  Each has a common factor:  The information is only as good as the supplier providing and verifying the information.  This is the primary reason you may looking for a product on our site and not find it.  Don’t give up!  Just because you can’t find it through a search doesn’t mean we can’t get it.  It simply means that we try to put only the most current information out for direct search.  Now, can we control it on every site?  No, but you can be sure we’ll do it where we can.  We want you to have the most current information because it’s also about credibility.  You will always be contacted before an order is placed and you can also request information directly from the product link.

We use (alphabetically) ASI, Distributor Central and Sage. Our own RKC Promo has links to all of them as well.  You can also link directly to us on Facebook and Twitter.  Sure, down the road we’ll have those little buttons for you to click on but for now, you can do it the old fashioned way!

Over the next days and weeks I will be posting information to educate and inform so stay tuned!

Attended a great session on Wednesday at the Grapevine Convention Center. It was conducted by PPAS (Promotional Products Association Southwest) and industry suppliers had a lot to share. And guess what? There are promotional products being manufactured in the US.

You might be surprised to learn that a supplier in Houston still actually sews products right here in Texas. The products are unique and reasonably priced. Sure they can import some stuff for you if that’s what you want but…..

Have you heard about the bags/totes which are made of recycled billboards? They’re very popular and we can get them. Better yet, do you have billboards that need to be recycled and you want to do your part with recycling them?

Have you ever thought about where things like lip balm and hand sanitizer are made? Do you assume that they are made in the US? A US supplier and manufacturer showed their complete line of US made products.

If you’re in the market for promotional products and U.S. made is important to you let’s talk.

If you’re interested in specific product categories, we have setup special links to assist you.  Today we are featuring apparel.  Click on the icon to visit the collection.

If you see something you like, you can send a no obligation request for information from the website. This allows us to quickly see the product and collect the appropriate information to answer your questions.

Are you an independent contractor?  Do you hire independent contractors?  The following link is to an article written specifically for promotional product distributors by PPB Magazine but it applies to many businesses: http://www.ppbmag.com/Article.aspx?id=5277.

Now is the time to provide input to pending legislation……The article contains a link to PPAI Law with information on how to contact your representative.