definitions - Ribbon Impressions

Custom Ribbon Definitions: Part 5

These definitions will provide the difference between stock items and custom items. And what you need to know about ordering each kind.

Most of our ribbon types (classic and rosette) come with two options. Custom and Stock. Sometimes, trying to figure out what you need can be a struggle.

We’ve already covered the following about ribbon text definitions:

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; see each order page for details. 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. Design each of these ribbons with or without a logo.

Stock Ribbons

From there, let’s cover what “stock” means. “Stock” refers to an item that is already imprinted with titles and text and will ship immediately for your use. Stock items are available as classic, badge and rosette ribbons. They have set colors when ordering. For example, the rosette place ribbon for “Grand Prize” is only available as a mustard color. And the “Special” rosette place ribbon is multicolor red, white and blue. Badge ribbons are typically available in two colors for each title.

Custom Ribbons

All “custom” ribbons are made specifically for one customer as per their order. Custom order all of our ribbons. This means that you can design your ribbon; whether it be a classic, rosette or ribbon roll; to meet your needs. Design them with names, dates, titles and sometimes full-color logos or graphics.

Here at Personalized Ribbons, we pride ourselves on having specific products for which our customers are looking. And, as part of this definitions series, we want to make sure that you understand what you’re getting. Having stock items means that you, as our loyal customers, get what you need and quickly. And by ordering those custom items, it means that you get exactly what you need. If we don’t seem to have what you’re looking for, please give us a call, and we’ll find something that works!

Custom Ribbon Definitions: Part 4

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

While our FAQ pages contain many questions, we thought about getting down to the nitty-gritty for you. Here is part four of our definitions series. Find out more about how our business runs! As we recently formatted our ribbons website to be accessible via mobile usage, let’s cover what ribbon types we offer!

Rosette Ribbons

This ribbon type is the best way to give as an award to any winner or event participant. With decorative tops and bottom streamer ribbons, rosette ribbons have an elegant look that will show recognition for doing well at anything. Rosettes are ideal for awards for businesses, sports events, educational needs, hobbies, animal shows and more. We offer both stock and custom styles of these ribbons. They range from stock titles and places to fully customized.

Classic Ribbons

This variety of classic ribbons refers to several ribbon options. Flat pieces of ribbon that can be either attached to a name badge or used as other promotional material are commonly known as badge ribbons. Order many of these ribbons can as custom or stock; both have their benefits. These ribbons can be printed with information that identifies speakers and staff or an assortment of other functions of people during conferences and other meetings. This ribbon type also includes imprinted ribbons and they prove to be valuable networking and marketing tools and are great for brand recognition. Full color ribbons, which are classic ribbons that are personalized with your custom text, a company logo or full color graphics.

Custom Ribbon Rolls

From celebrations to awards, custom ribbon rolls are extremely versatile. Each ribbon selection can be customized to meet all your needs by simply imprinting your text or logos. These are perfect for weddings decorations or other events and floral arrangements. Add your personalized message and tie them around bags and boxes when giving gifts. Ribbon rolls also make great award or awareness ribbons. And, we have several types to choose from that will meet all your needs.

Same Day Ribbons

This section is incredible! It features all of our ribbons that will ship either the same day they are ordered or the next day. These same day ribbons include ribbons from each of the above categories.

Do you have any further questions about these ribbon types or definitions?

There will be more articles coming with even more definitions! Please help us by letting us know what definitions you need. Are there specific things you just don’t quite understand? Reply with anything that you might need help with! And don’t forget that we have definitions for name tags too!

Custom Ribbon Definitions: Part 3

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

While our FAQ pages contain many questions, we thought about getting down to the nitty-gritty for you. Here is part three of our definitions series. Find out more about how our business runs! While our Artwork Guide features most of this topic, there might still be a few unanswered questions.

HORIZONTAL VS VERTICAL RIBBONS

Our classic ribbons come in two different orientations. Both horizontal and vertical ribbons are useful for many different things. Attach these ribbons to a name badge with a simple adhesive strip located at the top of the ribbon.

Horizontal ribbons feature a width that is longer than the length of the ribbon. These ribbons are ideal for sales and promotions. They can also recognize accomplishments or feature a title or position.

Vertical ribbons feature a length that is longer than the width of the ribbon. These ribbons are perfect for making someone stand out. With the longer feature of this ribbon, graphics and sayings stand out for anyone to see.

IMAGE BLEED

This feature is only available on our full-color ribbons. A bleed means that the background colors of a design may extend off the edges of the ribbon. The design may bleed on any and all sides of the ribbon. However, because the ribbons are printed and cut from a continuous roll, ribbons with a background image that extends off the pinked edges (the zigzag edge cutting) may show the beginning of the repeated background on the tips of the pinking. To avoid this, design your background so that both pinked edges have the same color or pattern.

Do you have any further questions about these definitions?

Custom Ribbon Definitions: Part 2

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

While our FAQ pages contain many questions, we thought about getting down to the nitty-gritty for you. Here is part two of our definitions series. Find out more about how our business runs! While our Artwork Guide features most of this topic, there might still be a few unanswered questions.

Our artwork guide says the following:
Imprinted Ribbons require black and white, one color vector art. Full Color Ribbons may be created using vector art or high quality bitmap files (300 dpi minimum). High quality artwork is required for all processes. Unfortunately, we cannot consider faxes, photocopies, business cards, printed products or photos of any of the above to be print-ready artwork. We can quote most jobs by using such artwork, but we cannot use this art for production.

To help you understand better what we need for your artwork, here are the definitions to the files we accept for production.

Vector Artwork
For the best results, we recommend submitting all artwork as vector files (.eps, .ai,.cdr ) with all text converted to curves or outlines. Vector art means the computer mathematically plots the outline of each shape and applies a fill color. The computer knows exactly what shapes are in the image. If you zoom in on a vector file the colors remain clear and the edges are clean and well defined.

Bitmap Artwork
The quality of your printed ribbons depends on the quality of the artwork submitted. Bitmap art uses a grid of tiny squares of color (pixels) to create the image. The computer will not know what shape is in the image because it does not recognize color differences in pixels. This is also known as raster artwork. An image from the internet (usually a .jpg, .png, or .gif saved at a resolution of 72 dpi) that looks great on your monitor will not print well. When you zoom in on a low-quality bitmap image you will see squares, rough edges and uneven colors. You cannot improve the quality of the image simply by saving it with higher dpi settings. The image will have more dots per inch, but the quality will remain the same or even degrade further.

Color Matching
The best way to let us know what colors you expect is the Pantone Matching System (PMS). We make reasonable efforts to match these colors however, we do not offer exact color matches due to limitations of the production processes. Available materials limit the color of imprinted logos and surfaces. Variations in materials, printer ribbons, equipment, and environmental factors preclude any guarantee of color. If color matches are important, we recommend the purchase of a First Article; we may send a color sample in some circumstances. However, variations in materials, stamping foils, printer ribbons, equipment, and environmental factors preclude any guarantee of exact color consistency from lot to lot or even item to item within the same lot.

Do you have any further questions about these definitions?

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?

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!