The short answer
Choose engraving if you want a permanent, tactile logo on a natural material like wood, cork or enamel. Choose printing if your logo needs to appear in its full colours.
Both are good options. The right one depends on your logo, the product and the look you want. Here are a few tips to help you decide.
How engraving and printing differ
The main difference: engraving marks the surface of the product itself, while printing adds a layer of ink on top.
|
|
Laser engraved |
Printed |
|---|---|---|
|
Colour |
Single tone, set by the material |
Full colour, or a chosen ink colour |
|
Look and feel |
Subtle and tactile, part of the surface |
Bold and bright, sits on the surface |
|
Durability |
Permanent, with no ink to fade or peel |
Depends on the ink and how the item is used and washed |
|
Best for |
Simple logos, natural materials, a premium look |
Multi-colour logos, photos, exact brand colours |
When engraving is the better choice
- You want it to last. Engraving has no ink layer, so there's nothing to fade, crack or peel with everyday use.
- Your logo works in one colour. Most logos have a one-colour version, and it often looks sharper engraved than printed.
- You're using natural materials. Wood, cork, bamboo and enamel suit engraving, and each material gives its own natural tone.
- You want a gift, not an advert. Engraving is understated, so the item feels like something to keep rather than a giveaway.
- It's for a café, bar or holiday let. Coasters, mugs and bottle openers get handled and washed often, so a permanent mark makes sense.
When printing is the better choice
- Colour is essential to your brand. If your logo only works in its exact colours, printing is the better route.
- Your design is a photo or has gradients. Engraving can't reproduce shading or photographic detail in the same way.
Tips for a great engraved logo
- Use a vector file if you have one. SVG or vector PDF gives the cleanest result. A high-resolution PNG (300 DPI, black on a transparent background) also works.
- Choose your one-colour logo. Many brands already have a black or white version, which is ideal for engraving.
- Skip gradients, shadows and textures. Solid shapes and clean lines engrave best.
- Check fine detail at real size. If tiny text or thin lines are hard to read on screen at the final size, they probably won't engrave clearly either.
- Keep it simple. A logo with a bit of space around it often looks better than a design that fills the whole product.
Not sure if your logo is suitable? Every order includes an engraving proof, and we'll check your artwork before anything is made. Our Artwork Reference Guide has more detail for you or your designer.
Our engraved range
Everything we make is laser engraved with your logo in our solar-powered Devon workshop, including:
Planning gifts for clients this year? Read our tips for branded Christmas gifts, or browse the full range.
