Tag: custom text

Custom Ribbon Definitions: Part 1

Defining our business helps our customers to fully understand what we do.

While our FAQ pages are full of your questions, we thought we’d get down to the nitty-gritty for you. Here are some definitions of how our business runs. From what personalized ribbons actually are to all the fun and fabulous details of ordering, we want to make this process as easy as possible.

So, what are personalized or custom ribbons?

definitions of personalized and custom ribbons for personalized ribbons All personalized ribbons can be customized with logos, text and other designs. These are anything from ribbon rolls that are used to wrap presents or for decorations during a party to ribbons that are attached to a name tag or worn as a type of identifier. They include badge ribbons, classic ribbons, ribbon rolls and rosette ribbons.

Now let’s get some of the more technical definitions out of the way.

Need By Date

We often reference a need by date on our website when a customer is placing an order. This phrase might be confusing. A need by date is the exact date that a customer needs to have the product in hand. While we do our best to match everyone’s need by date, this date is not a guarantee.

Ribbon Titles
We often refer to ribbon titles for our pre-imprinted ribbons. A title is the word(s) that is imprinted on a ribbon. They are available as stock items on our website. Titles are words such as sponsor, president, staff, visitor or member. Each ribbon type we offer comes with varying available titles that can be found on the order pages. These ribbons are ready to ship the same day you place your order.

Custom Text
Most ribbons are also available with custom text. This means that instead of using pre-imprinted titles, you can provide your own text. This text can range from titles that you don’t see on the list to names or other messages. You can choose your own font and color to match your ribbon choice. Each of these ribbons can also be designed with or without a logo.

Die (not dye*)
A die is required for all imprinting on ribbons. These dies are engraved stamps for impressing a design or text onto a ribbon. (*Dye refers to the process of using a color to stain fabric or other material such as hair.) Using foils and a heat transfer process, your design or text is stamped directly onto a ribbon with a polymer or metal die. A polymer die is a less expensive way of imprinting simple designs. However, a metal die will always create a better imprint due to its ability to transfer heat more effectively.

Do you have any questions regarding these definitions?

There will be further articles with more definitions, but help us by letting us know what you need. How about anything of which you’re unsure? Please let us know what else you need help with as we’re here for all of your questions!

 

Avoiding Boring Badge Ribbons – Part 2

The boring badge ribbon has proven functional at many professional gatherings. Keep this in mind when choosing badge ribbons as they are meant to improve the effectiveness of a name badge. The five previous tips were aimed to help decide which type of badge ribbon was the best for each ribbon project. Here are five more tips to help with the overall design of any badge ribbon.

TIP #6 Avoiding Boring Ribbons: Choose a distinctive font.

The easiest way to drastically improve how your ribbon looks, and to keep it from being boring, is by using a nice font. There are many fonts available that will meet most any need. Keep in mind that most fonts will require a metal die.

Badge ribbon printing requires the use of dies, which are made to imprint onto the ribbons. A die is basically like a stamp as it presses a printing foil down on to the badge ribbon. Wherever the stamp touches the foil to the ribbon, the foil will stay printed, or dyed, onto the badge ribbon.

Many badge ribbons may be printed using a polymer die. Polymer dies are faster and less expensive, but they do have a few drawbacks. They are made from a softer material than metal dies; they also wear out quickly, so they can’t be used for large runs of the same ribbon; and they don’t hold detail well, so only thick, plain letters and shapes can be used. Small holes in the design, like the inside of a letter “a” or “e” may fill in because the die can’t press hard enough to ensure a clean impression.

A metal die, which is much stronger than the polymer die, can hold much more detail and will ensure a much cleaner imprint. Using a metal die no longer limits the choice of font; text may be made smaller or even add a logo or other image. Metal dies give much more freedom in the design of a badge ribbon and are well worth the additional cost. They can also be saved to use again and again.

TIP #7 Avoiding Boring Ribbons: Have fun with your text.

avoiding boring ribbons badge ribbon imprinted metal die fitting textText doesn’t have to be boring like straight side-to-side or up-and-down. Depending on the badge ribbon chosen, the text can be set at an angle or even on a curve. This is a great trick to get longer words to fit on a narrower ribbon and doesn’t always require a metal die.

TIP #8 Avoiding Boring Ribbons: Don’t limit yourself to one color.

For a better looking badge ribbon, use a combination of colors. A plain badge ribbon suddenly seems less boring when changes to a few elements are made. If the badge ribbon really needs to make an impression, try a Full Color Custom Ribbon. This badge ribbon will be printed in full color and has no limits to fonts or number of colors and no metal dies. You can even get a photograph printed on these badge ribbons.

TIP #9 Avoiding Boring Ribbons: Plan the shape and size of your ribbon.

Each ribbon should take content and function into account when adjusting the length or shape. If there is extra empty space, make the ribbon smaller or request options for making the text fill it better. Each badge ribbon should fit the text comfortably and not be crowded or empty. Make the badge ribbon unique by replacing the pinked ends with a fishtail.

avoiding boring ribbons badge ribbon metail die add a logoTIP #10 Avoiding Boring Ribbons: Add a company logo.

Nothing spices up a badge ribbon like an image. Use a company logo or find a basic image that will set off the design on the ribbon; it will instantly increase the ribbon’s appeal. Remember, a metal die will be required.

So the next time you find yourself in need of a ribbon for that upcoming event, keep these 10 tips in mind and the planning stages should be a bit easier and more enjoyable.

 

 

*Tips and graphics provided by guest author Melanie Bunch, Graphic Artist at Coller Industries.*