Promotional products are the branded items people keep and use: T-shirts and caps, pens, tumblers, tote bags, tech gadgets and trade show giveaways. Expressway Printing offers thousands of them through our online promotional products store. This guide explains how ordering works and, most importantly, how each item gets its logo, so you can choose the right product and decoration for your budget, quantity and timeline.
Found something you like? Email us the product code (for example CPN-552838589, shown on each product page) at info@expresswayprinting.com for pricing with your logo.
Browse our promotional products store (opens in a new tab)Email us a product codeHow promotional ordering works
- Browse the store. Search our promotional products store (opens in a new tab) by category, keyword or price. Each product page lists colors, imprint methods, imprint area and quantity pricing.
- Email us the product code for pricing. Every product page in the store shows a product code that usually looks like CPN-552838589. Email that code to info@expresswayprinting.com with the quantity, imprint colors, imprint location and the date you need it in hand. We will confirm availability and give you a quote that includes setup and any additional charges, so there are no surprises.
- Approve an art proof. Before anything is made, you get a proof showing your logo on the item, with size, placement and colors. Check spelling, colors and placement carefully. Nothing goes into production until you approve it.
- Production. The item is decorated by screen printing, embroidery, engraving or one of the other methods below. Production time is usually counted in business days from proof approval, not from the day you place the order.
- Shipping. The finished order ships to you or to the address you choose, such as your office or an event venue. Shipping time is in addition to production time.
Terms you will see on product pages
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Minimum quantity | The smallest number of pieces a supplier will decorate at the listed price. Prices usually drop at higher quantity breaks. Some items can be ordered below the minimum for an added fee, and some cannot. |
| Setup charge | A one-time charge to prepare the job, such as making a screen, a plate, a die or an embroidery file. It is often charged per color or per imprint location. On a reorder with no art changes, it may be reduced or waived. |
| Run charge | A per-piece charge for each additional imprint color or location beyond what is included in the listed price, for example a second color or a logo on the back. |
| Imprint area | The maximum size your logo can be on that item, such as the barrel of a pen or the front of a cap. Your logo is scaled to fit, so a wide logo on a small imprint area will appear small. |
| Imprint location | Where the decoration goes: front, back, left chest, sleeve, wrap-around and so on. Each additional location is usually an extra charge. |
| PMS color | A Pantone Matching System number that identifies an exact ink color. Giving us your PMS colors helps keep your logo consistent across products. See our CMYK, RGB and Pantone guide. |
| Production time | How long the supplier needs to make the order after proof approval, usually in business days. It does not include shipping. |
Prices shown online are a starting point. Your final price depends on the quantity, the number of imprint colors and locations, setup, shipping and any rush service, and your quote will spell each of those out.
Decoration methods: how promotional items get made
The decoration method affects how your logo looks, how long it lasts, how many colors you can use and what it costs. Many items offer more than one method, and we are happy to recommend one. Jump to a method:
- Screen printing
- Embroidery
- Laser engraving
- Pad printing
- Full-color digital and UV printing
- Dye sublimation
- Heat transfer and DTF
- Debossing and embossing
- Etching on glass and drinkware
Screen printing
- Best for
- T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags and other fabric items in larger quantities, with logos in one to a few solid colors.
- How it's made
- A separate mesh screen is made for each ink color. Ink is pushed through the open areas of the screen onto the item with a squeegee, one color at a time, and then cured with heat.
- Pros
- Bright, opaque, durable color; cost-effective as quantities go up; inks can be matched to PMS colors; works on light and dark garments.
- Cons
- Each color adds a screen and setup, so many-color logos cost more; photos and soft gradients need halftones and do not always reproduce well; usually not economical for very small quantities.
Embroidery
- Best for
- Polos, caps, jackets, fleece, work shirts and bags, where a premium, textured look matters.
- How it's made
- Your logo is first digitized: a specialist converts the artwork into a stitch file that tells the embroidery machine where every stitch goes, in what direction and in which thread color. Digitizing is usually a one-time charge, and the file can be reused on reorders. Embroidery is often priced by stitch count, so larger or more solid designs cost more than small, open ones.
- Pros
- Looks high-end and lasts for the life of the garment; raised texture; no ink to crack or fade.
- Cons
- Very fine detail, tiny text and gradients do not stitch well; thread colors are matched as closely as possible to your PMS colors rather than exactly; dense designs can feel stiff on light fabrics.
Laser engraving
- Best for
- Stainless steel tumblers and bottles, metal pens, wood, bamboo, leatherette, glass and awards, plus individual names on each piece.
- How it's made
- A computer-guided laser removes a thin layer of coating or marks the surface of the material, following your vector artwork. On powder-coated drinkware it removes the coating to reveal the metal underneath; on wood it darkens the surface.
- Pros
- Permanent and will not wash off or peel; a clean, upscale tone-on-tone look; no ink colors to set up; easy to personalize each item.
- Cons
- One look only, set by the material (no added ink colors); results vary between materials and coatings; fine detail needs clean vector art.
Pad printing
- Best for
- Small and curved items such as pens, stress relievers, golf balls, lip balm and other little giveaways.
- How it's made
- Your design is etched into a printing plate (called a cliché). Ink fills the etched area, a soft silicone pad presses onto the plate to pick up the ink, then presses onto the item. Because the pad flexes, it can print on curved and uneven surfaces.
- Pros
- Prints crisp, fine detail on small, curved or textured surfaces; economical on large quantities of small items.
- Cons
- Imprint areas are small; each color is a separate plate and pass, so most pad-printed items are one or two colors; not meant for photos.
Full-color digital and UV printing
- Best for
- Photos, gradients and multi-color logos on items such as pens, power banks, notebooks, signs, magnets and many hard goods.
- How it's made
- A digital printer applies CMYK ink, often with white, directly onto the item or onto a flat panel. With UV printing, the ink is cured instantly by ultraviolet light. On drinkware, full-color designs may be printed digitally or applied as a transfer, and some suppliers describe this as 4-color process.
- Pros
- Unlimited colors without per-color screens; photos and gradients look good; well suited to smaller quantities.
- Cons
- Color is close to, but not always an exact match for, a PMS color; on items that get heavy handling, a printed imprint can wear faster than an engraved one.
Dye sublimation
- Best for
- White or light-colored polyester apparel and performance wear, lanyards, mouse pads, and coated items such as some mugs, coasters and ornaments.
- How it's made
- The design is printed with sublimation ink onto transfer paper, then heat-pressed onto the item. The heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds with polyester fibers or a special polymer coating, so the color becomes part of the material instead of sitting on top.
- Pros
- Full color, edge to edge; no feel on fabric; will not crack or peel.
- Cons
- Works only on polyester or specially coated items, in white or light colors. It does not work on cotton, and there is no white ink, so it cannot print white or show up on dark items.
Heat transfer and DTF
- Best for
- Small quantities of full-color apparel, names and numbers, and fabrics or garments that are hard to screen print.
- How it's made
- The design is printed or cut on a carrier film and then applied with a heat press. With DTF (direct-to-film), the design is printed in CMYK plus white onto a film, coated with an adhesive powder and cured, then pressed onto the item. Vinyl heat transfers are cut from colored sheets and are popular for names and numbers.
- Pros
- Full color with no screens; works on cotton, polyester and blends, on light and dark colors; quick to set up for short runs.
- Cons
- You can feel a thin layer on the fabric; durability depends on the transfer and on washing and care.
Debossing and embossing
- Best for
- Leather and leatherette journals, portfolios, padfolios and luggage tags, plus silicone wristbands and similar molded items.
- How it's made
- On leather and leatherette, a heated metal die presses the logo into the surface (deboss) or raises it (emboss). Silicone wristbands are molded with the message pressed in (debossed), raised (embossed), or debossed and filled with color.
- Pros
- Classy, tone-on-tone look that never wears off; no ink needed.
- Cons
- Usually requires a custom die or mold; very fine detail can soften; the logo shows as texture rather than color unless color fill or foil is added.
Etching on glass and drinkware
- Best for
- Glassware, wine and beer glasses, mugs and awards.
- How it's made
- Etching removes a thin layer of the surface to leave a frosted mark. On glass this is done by sandblasting, chemical etching or laser. On metal, deep etching cuts into the surface for an engraved look.
- Pros
- Permanent, elegant frosted look that will not wash off.
- Cons
- One tone only (no color); best with bold, simple artwork.
Popular items and how they are usually decorated
This table shows the methods most often offered for each category. The options for a specific product are listed on its page in the store.
| Item category | Examples | Typical decoration methods |
|---|---|---|
| Apparel | T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, jackets, performance wear | Screen printing, embroidery, DTF and heat transfer, dye sublimation (white or light polyester) |
| Hats and caps | Baseball caps, trucker caps, knit beanies, visors | Embroidery, patches (embroidered, woven or leatherette), screen printing, heat transfer |
| Pens and writing | Plastic and metal pens, stylus pens, highlighters, pencils | Pad printing, full-color digital, laser engraving (metal pens) |
| Drinkware | Tumblers, water bottles, mugs, glassware, can coolers | Laser engraving, screen printing, full-color printing or 4-color process, dye sublimation (coated mugs), etching (glass) |
| Bags and totes | Cotton and non-woven totes, drawstring bags, backpacks, coolers | Screen printing, heat transfer and DTF, embroidery, full-color printing |
| Tech | Power banks, chargers, earbuds, speakers, USB drives, phone accessories | Full-color digital or UV printing, pad printing, laser engraving |
| Trade show and signage | Table covers, retractable banners, flags, lanyards, badges | Dye sublimation, full-color digital printing, screen printing |
| Desk and office | Journals, padfolios, sticky notes, mouse pads, calendars | Debossing (leatherette), full-color printing, dye sublimation (mouse pads), laser engraving, foil stamping |
| Outdoor and leisure | Umbrellas, blankets, golf balls and towels, sunglasses, coolers | Screen printing, pad printing, embroidery, full-color printing |
Some printed items in these categories, such as sticky notes, table covers, banners and magnets, we can also produce through our own print services. Ask us and we will point you to the best fit.
Artwork tips for promotional products
- Send a vector logo. AI, EPS, SVG or a vector PDF can be scaled to any size and gives clean edges for screens, plates, dies and engraving. A small JPG from a website usually is not enough. If you only have a low-resolution image, our design team can redraw it.
- Know your PMS colors. List the Pantone colors in your logo so screen printing and pad printing inks can be matched. Embroidery thread and full-color digital printing will be matched as closely as possible.
- Use a one-color version when it makes sense. Each ink color usually means another screen or plate and another setup charge. A one- or two-color version of your logo is often cheaper and reads better on small imprint areas.
- Mind the minimum sizes. As general rules of thumb, keep printed lines at about 1 pt or heavier and printed text at about 6 to 8 pt or larger, and keep embroidered text at about 1/4" tall or larger. Use bigger sizes for thin fonts and script lettering. These are guidelines, not hard limits, and the right minimum depends on the item and method.
- Use vector art for engraving and etching. Lasers and etching follow vector shapes. Engraving is one tone, so gradients, shadows and photos need to be simplified to solid shapes.
- Design for the imprint area. A wide or tall logo shrinks to fit a narrow pen barrel or a cap front. A stacked version of your logo, or just the logo mark, often works better.
- Think about the item color. On dark items, make sure your logo has a white or light version. Dye sublimation cannot print white and needs a white or light item.
- Adding a QR code? Keep it large, high contrast and on a flat area, and test it on the proof before you approve.
Timelines and ordering tips
Standard production varies by item and supplier and is usually counted in business days from proof approval, plus shipping time. Rush service is available on many items for a faster turnaround, sometimes for an added charge, but not every item, color or decoration method can be rushed.
- Order early for events. Work back from your in-hands date and leave time for the quote, the proof, any changes, production and shipping. Trade show season and the holidays get busy, so planning ahead gives you more choices.
- Tell us your in-hands date up front. It is the date you need the items, not the date you want them shipped, and it helps us recommend products that can make it.
- Request a spec sample. For a large order or a new item, ask for a sample so you can check the size, feel and quality before you commit. Samples are often blank or carry a random logo, and some suppliers charge for them.
- Check the proof carefully. Look at spelling, colors, logo size and placement. Changes after production starts are often not possible.
- Consider the full cost. Compare the total with setup, extra colors or locations and shipping included, not just the price per piece.
- Plan for apparel sizes. Collect a size breakdown before you order, and note that larger sizes often cost a little more.
Promotional products checklist
- Product code from the store (for example CPN-552838589)
- Quantity, including a few extras
- Item color and, for apparel, a size breakdown
- Decoration method chosen for the item and your logo
- Imprint colors (PMS) and imprint locations
- Vector logo file, plus a one-color version if possible
- In-hands date and ship-to address
- Spec sample requested for larger or first-time orders
- Art proof checked and approved
Ready to put your logo on something?
Whether it is shirts for a Warminster team, giveaways for a Doylestown event or trade show swag for a Bucks or Montgomery County business, start in our promotional products store and email the product codes of your picks to info@expresswayprinting.com, or use our Request a Quote form.
Find your next giveaway. Browse the store, then email the product code (for example CPN-552838589) to info@expresswayprinting.com and we will send you pricing.
Browse our promotional products store (opens in a new tab)Email us a product codeFrequently asked questions
- How do I get pricing on an item from the store?
- Find the product code on the product page in our promotional products store. It usually looks like CPN-552838589. Email that code to info@expresswayprinting.com with your quantity, imprint colors and in-hands date, and we will send you pricing.
- What is the difference between a setup charge and a run charge?
- A setup charge is a one-time fee to prepare the job, such as making a screen, plate, die or embroidery file, and it is often charged per color or location. A run charge is a per-piece fee for each additional color or imprint location beyond what the listed price includes.
- Why is there a minimum quantity?
- Decorating promotional items takes setup time, so suppliers set a minimum quantity for each product. Prices usually drop at higher quantities. Some items can be ordered below the minimum for an added fee.
- Should I choose screen printing or embroidery for shirts?
- Screen printing is usually best for T-shirts and larger quantities with bold, solid-color logos. Embroidery gives polos, caps and jackets a premium, textured look but is not suited to very fine detail or gradients.
- Can dye sublimation print on cotton or dark shirts?
- No. Dye sublimation bonds with polyester fibers or special coatings, so it works only on polyester or coated items in white or light colors. For cotton or dark garments, screen printing, DTF or heat transfer are better choices.
- What file should I send for my logo?
- A vector file such as AI, EPS, SVG or a vector PDF, with your PMS colors listed. Vector art is required for screens, plates, dies, engraving and embroidery digitizing. If you only have a low-resolution image, we can help redraw it.
- How long do promotional products take?
- It depends on the item and decoration. Production time is usually counted in business days from proof approval, plus shipping. Rush service is available on many items. Tell us your in-hands date when you request a quote.
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