How to order
Ordering pad printing is straightforward when the item, logo and print position are clear from the start. We handle the artwork check, plate making, proofing, printing, packing and courier dispatch from Kempton Park.
Start with the item and the print brief
The first step is choosing the promotional item you want branded and telling us where the logo must sit. Pad printing works well on many small shaped products, so the size, curve and surface finish of the item matter from the beginning. If your stock is already in hand, we can work from actual samples. If the items are being sourced through your own buying team, it helps to confirm the material and colour before the job moves to plate stage.
Most orders we handle from Kempton Park are for Gauteng businesses, agencies, schools and event organisers, with finished cartons couriered to every province. A good brief at this stage cuts out avoidable delays later, especially where several item colours or more than one print position are involved.
- Item type, such as pens, mugs, bottles, keyrings, USB drives, golf balls or small tech gifts
- Quantity per item and per colour variant
- Logo position, print area and preferred orientation
- Ink colours required, including whether the logo is one colour or multi-colour
- Delivery town, contact person for receiving and any site access notes
Send artwork we can check properly
Once the item is chosen, send your logo and any brand guidelines through our contact form. Clean artwork gives the best result because pad printing plates are made from the final approved artwork. Vector files are preferred for logos and line work, while high resolution files can help for reference where needed. If the logo includes very fine lines, small text or a tight registration between colours, we will flag that during the artwork check.
Not every logo should be printed at the same size on every item. A mark that reads well on a bottle may need adjustment on a narrow pen barrel or a small keyring face. Where needed we prepare the artwork for the actual print area so the job is practical to run and readable on the finished item.
- Preferred files are vector artwork such as PDF, AI or EPS
- Supply Pantone references where colour matching matters
- Outline fonts before sending files if possible
- Note any legal line, web address or slogan that must remain with the logo
Proofs, samples and approval
Before production starts, we prepare a proof or sample for approval. This stage confirms print position, approximate size, ink colours and the way the logo sits on the item. For a straightforward one-colour job a visual proof may be enough. For more sensitive work, curved items or jobs where colour sequence matters, a printed sample can be the safer route.
Approval is the point where spelling, orientation and colour references should be checked carefully. If several departments need to sign off, it is best to gather that approval before production begins. Changes after approval can mean a new plate setup or another sample run, which affects the production plan.
We do not move a job into printing until the approved version is clear, because even a small change in logo width or text size can alter the plate and setup.
What happens in production
After approval, we make the plate, set up the pad printing station and run test impressions before the main quantity. Pad printing transfers ink from the plate to a silicone pad and then onto the product surface. That makes it useful for awkward shapes and small recessed areas where other methods are less suitable.
During the run we watch for alignment, ink coverage and consistency across the batch. Multi-colour work is printed in sequence, with each colour registered to the previous one. Some materials need careful handling because a glossy coating or textured moulding can affect the laydown. Curved drinkware and compact tech gifts often need slower setup, but the result is neater when the positioning is checked properly.
- Artwork check against approved proof
- Plate making for the final logo version
- Colour setup and test prints
- Production printing on the agreed item
- Packing by item type or campaign split where arranged
- Courier dispatch from Kempton Park
How the price is worked out
Pad printing costs are usually based on the item itself, the number of print colours, the number of print positions and the amount of setup needed. A one-colour logo on a standard pen is not priced the same way as a multi-colour logo on a shaped bottle lid or a small tech item with a limited print area. Plate making forms part of the job because a plate must be prepared from the approved artwork.
Other factors can include sample work, special packing instructions, split deliveries and courier destination. If several item colours are involved, sorting and handling can also affect the final amount. We keep the quotation tied to the real production steps rather than guesswork, so the brief needs to be specific from the start.
If you are comparing branding methods, this page deals only with the ordering of pad printing jobs. We do not embroider, create brands from scratch or print large-format banners.
Packing, delivery and aftercare
Finished items are packed for courier movement, with sensible separation where the product surface needs protection. Orders for Gauteng often move quickly through the local network near OR Tambo, while outlying towns may need an extra handling leg through the courier system. If your receiving point has booking rules, security controls or limited delivery hours, include that with the brief.
After delivery, keep branded items dry and clean in their cartons until distribution. Avoid scraping printed surfaces against sharp edges or loose metal parts in mixed gift packs. Mugs, bottles and tech gifts should be handled as branded merchandise rather than loose warehouse stock, it helps preserve the print finish before your event or campaign starts.
- Store cartons away from excess heat and moisture
- Do not overpack mixed items on top of fresh branded stock
- Check delivery quantities against the dispatch note on arrival
- Raise any print or transit concern with photos and carton labels kept aside
What our Pad Printing customers say
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Questions we get asked
Can you print on items we have already bought?
Yes, provided the item material and print area suit pad printing. A sample or clear product details help us confirm that before the job goes to proof stage.
Do I need to send vector artwork?
Vector artwork is preferred because it gives cleaner plate preparation and better control over size and colour separation. If you only have other file types, send them and we will check what can be used.
Can one order include different products?
Yes. Mixed campaigns are common for conferences, staff packs and event merchandise, but each product is quoted and set up according to its own print area, colour count and handling requirements.
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Tell us about the job
Send sizes, materials and where you are through our contact form, and we will come back with the practical options.
Open the contact form