Print Positioning Explained for Oddly Shaped Products
Oddly shaped products like transport stress toys or keyrings are memorable. But buyers often contemplate buying these items because of the risk that the text won’t appear legible or worse, their logo isn’t visible at all. In this blog, we break down how we position your logo (during the mock-up and production) to make sure they look visible.
Why Print Positioning Matters
A flat notebook provides ample space for branding, while curved bottles, stress toys, and small keyrings offer limited and less obvious print areas. Overlooking print positioning can result in warped, unreadable, or cracked logos. Proper placement enhances brand recall, while poor positioning reduces product effectiveness.
Start With the Product’s “Resting Position”
Begin by identifying the product’s natural resting position, whether on a desk, keyring, or in hand. Place the logo where it will be visible during typical use, rather than where printing is most convenient. For example, brand a curved desk ornament on the face visible when upright, not on the base. For stress balls, use the largest, flattest area, typically the equator, to minimise distortion during use.
Common Mistakes I See With Oddly Shaped Products
- Placing a logo across a seam or curve often warps the design and reduces print durability.
- Applying a full logo with a tagline to a very small product often results in unreadable branding. Simplify the design to maintain clarity.
- Failing to consider how the product is held can obscure the branding. Always test the item’s typical use before finalising print position.
- Choosing an unsuitable decoration method for the material can lead to poor results. Each technique, such as pad printing, screen printing, laser engraving, or digital printing, performs differently on various surfaces.
- Overlooking that the product will be handled, not just displayed, can compromise print longevity. Features such as straps, ridges, and textured grips affect print durability. Proper positioning is essential.
Example of Oddly Shaped Merch
Many of the most challenging and popular items we brand at Cubic Promote fall into this category. Examples include:
- Stress balls and novelty shapes, such as footballs, houses, cars, and animals, require the print zone to be on the flattest, most stable panel to avoid distortion when squeezed.
- Bottle openers and keyrings are often small, curved, or have cut-out shapes. Print positioning must account for holes, edges, and thickness variations.
- Cylindrical drink bottles and tumblers require wraparound printing or a carefully sized panel to prevent text from warping around the curve.
- Novelty USBs and tech accessories often have small, unusually shaped casings with only one workable flat zone for branding.
- Golf balls, stress toys, and sporting novelties have round or textured surfaces that require pad printing for a crisp result.
- Fidget toys and 3D character items have multiple curved faces, so it is best to choose the most visible angle rather than attempting to brand the entire product.
If you are working with an unusual product, review our custom-made product range or branding methods guide before finalising artwork. The optimal technique depends on the product’s shape and material.
How to Get Great Results
- Request a mock-up before production. A digital proof on the actual product shape, rather than a flat template, will show how the logo will appear and reveal any potential distortion.
- Simplify your logo for small or curved spaces. A single-colour or icon-only version typically reproduces better than a detailed, multi-colour design. For aesthetics, pad printing is suitable for curved and uneven surfaces, while full-colour digital transfer works best for larger flat panels. An experienced supplier will recommend the most appropriate method rather than defaulting to the least expensive option.
- Order a physical sample for any unusual product. If the shape, material, or use case is unfamiliar, review a sample before placing a bulk order. Work with suppliers who inquire about product use, handling, and display. If these questions are not addressed, proper positioning may be overlooked.
Experience is essential in this area. After branding thousands of unusual products over the past two decades, our team can identify the most effective print zones and will advise if a requested position is unsuitable before you place an order.
Oddly Shaped Items We Supplied
- Luggage tags for Rockhampton Grammar School
- Novelty items for Loftus Business Advisory
- Sherrin footballs for Laser Plumbing
- Bottle openers for Omnicom
FAQs
What’s the best print position for a curved product like a bottle or tumbler?
Usually a centred panel on the flattest section of the curve, sized so the design doesn’t wrap awkwardly around the edges. Wraparound printing is an option for full 360-degree branding.
Can any logo be printed on a small or oddly shaped item?
Not always as-is. Detailed or multi-colour logos often need simplifying for small or curved spaces to stay legible and reproduce cleanly.
Why do some prints crack or peel on unusual products?
This usually happens when a print is placed over a seam, a flex point, or a material that wasn’t suited to the chosen decoration method.
Takeaways for Your Next Order
Oddly shaped promotional products stand out because they differ from standard items. When positioned well, they attract attention and are memorable. Print positioning should be considered early in the design process. And when you work with a supplier who knows how to position your logo properly on these items, you are guaranteed the visibility your brand needs.
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