10 Ways to Add a Logo to Toys

In today’s toy market, it is more difficult than ever to stand out. You need to create products that are different, get noticed, and make a lasting impression. One of the most effective ways to do this is to put your logo on your toys. But with so many ways to put a logo on a toy, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. If you pick the wrong way to put your logo on your toy, you could end up with a bad-looking logo that rubs off, and that’s not good for your brand. Don’t worry, though. I’m going to walk you through the different ways you can put a logo on your toy, so you can make your brand stand out in the market.

1. UV Printing

UV printing is a printing method where ultraviolet-sensitive inks are applied to a surface and then instantly cured using UV light. The process begins with the application of specially formulated UV inks, which remain wet until exposed to ultraviolet light. Once applied, the inks pass through a UV light source that rapidly cures or hardens the ink. This immediate curing ensures the ink dries quickly and adheres firmly to the material, resulting in vibrant, durable prints.

Applications on Toy Materials: Metal, Wood, Plastic, Glass, Acrylic
MOQ: 200 Pcs

Features

• Precision and Detail: It provides high-quality, detailed images even on curved or irregular surfaces.
• Durability: UV-cured inks are resistant to fading, abrasion, and chemicals, ensuring the design lasts through frequent handling.
• Color Vibrancy: The technology produces vibrant, eye-catching colors.
• Speed and Efficiency: Capable of printing up to 2,000 parts per hour, UV printing is efficient for large production runs.
• Direct Printing: This method prints directly onto the toy surface, eliminating the need for transfers.
• Customization: Ideal for creating personalized or promotional toys.
• Eco-Friendly: UV inks cure instantly, reducing energy consumption and avoiding the use of solvents.
• Compatibility: Works on flat, cylindrical, and irregular shapes.

2. Pad Printing

Pad printing, also known as tampography, is a versatile printing technique that can add logos and designs to toys with precision and durability.

Applications on Toy Materials: Plastic, Wood, Metal, Cardboard, Glass
MOQ: 1,000 Pcs

Features

• Versatility: Pad printing works on various materials like plastic, wood, metal, cardboard, and glass, making it ideal for different types of toys.
• Precision and Detail: It delivers high-quality, detailed designs, including fine text and intricate patterns, even on curved or irregular surfaces.
• Durability: Once cured, the printed designs are resistant to fading, abrasion, and chemicals, perfect for toys that see frequent use.
• Color Options: Offers vibrant color reproduction and a wide range of colors, including metallic shades.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Economical for medium to large production runs due to its efficiency and low cost per print.

3. Laser Printing

Laser printing, or laser engraving, is a non-contact process where a laser is used to mark or engrave designs onto materials. A computer-controlled laser beam selectively heats and melts the surface of the material to create detailed images or text.

Applications on Toy Materials: Plastics, Wood, Metal, Glass, Cloth
MOQ: 200 Pcs

Features

• Precision and Detail: Laser printing achieves extremely precise and detailed results, making it ideal for small or complex designs.
• Durability: Engraved designs are durable and resistant to wear, as the laser often etches into the surface rather than applying a layer on top.
• Speed and Efficiency: Capable of high-speed production, making it suitable for large manufacturing runs.

4. Screen Printing

Screen printing is a classic and versatile printing method that is popular in the toy industry. It involves using a mesh screen to transfer ink onto a toy’s surface, with areas not to be printed blocked off by a stencil. The ink is pushed through the screen onto the toy, creating a vibrant and durable print.

Applications on Toy Materials: Plastic, Wood, Metal, Cardboard, Fabrics
MOQ: 500 Pcs

Features

• Durability: Screen-printed designs are highly durable, resistant to fading, abrasion, and chemicals. This makes them perfect for toys that endure frequent handling.
• Color Vibrancy: Screen printing produces rich, vivid colors that stand out and enhance the toy’s appearance.
• Cost-Effective for Large Runs: It becomes economical for medium to large production runs, reducing the cost per unit.
• Precision: Offers high precision and detail, even on curved surfaces, making it suitable for intricate designs.

5. Embroidery

Embroidery is a popular method for adding logos and designs to toys, especially those made from fabric. This technique involves stitching a logo directly onto the surface of the toy using specialized machines. First, you upload your logo image into embroidery software, which then guides the stitching machine to create the design on the toy.

Applications on Toy Materials: Plush, Cotton, Felt Fabrics
MOQ: 1,000 Pcs

Features

• Durability: Embroidered designs are robust and withstand frequent use and washing.
• Non-Toxic: No harmful chemicals or inks are used, making it safe for children’s toys.
• Cost: More expensive than some other decoration methods, particularly for complex designs or small runs.
• Limited Color Blending: May not achieve the same color blending as printing methods.
• Time-Consuming: Can be slower than some printing methods, especially for intricate designs.

6. Thermal Transfer Printing

Thermal transfer printing involves using heat to transfer ink from a ribbon onto a surface. The printer uses a thermal printhead to apply heat to the ribbon, causing the ink to melt and adhere to the toy’s surface. This method ensures that the image or text is firmly attached to the toy.

Applications on Toy Materials: Plastic, Wood, Metal, Fabric
MOQ: 300 Pcs

Features

• High Quality and Durability: Produces high-quality, durable images that are resistant to fading, abrasion, and chemicals.
• Versatility: Applicable to a wide range of materials, making it suitable for various types of toys.
• Precision: Allows for precise application of intricate designs and text, ensuring clear and sharp images.
• Speed and Efficiency: Capable of high-speed production, beneficial for large toy manufacturing runs.
• Consistency: Ensures consistent print quality across large batches, crucial for maintaining brand standards.
• Environmentally Friendly: Typically uses less ink and produces less waste compared to some traditional printing methods.

7. UV Transfer Stickers

UV transfer stickers offer an efficient and durable method for adding logos to toys. The principle is to use ultraviolet light to cure and harden the printed pattern onto the sticker material. This process ensures that the ink adheres firmly to the surface, creating a vibrant and long-lasting image.

Applications on Toy Materials: Plastic, Wood, Metal, Glass
MOQ: 100 Pcs

Features

• Durability: UV transfer stickers are highly resistant to fading, abrasion, and chemicals, making them perfect for toys that are frequently handled and played with.
• Versatility: They can be applied to various toy materials, providing flexibility in toy design and decoration.
• High-Quality Graphics: These stickers produce high-resolution images with vibrant colors and fine details, enhancing the toy’s visual appeal.
• Waterproof: Suitable for bath toys or outdoor toys exposed to moisture.
• Heat Resistant: Can withstand high temperatures, beneficial for toys exposed to sunlight or heat.
• Customization: Allows for easy customization with unique designs, names, or messages.
• Subtle 3D Effect: The layering creates a slight 3D effect, adding depth and texture to the design.

8. Hydrographics (Water Transfer Printing)

Hydrographics, also known as water transfer printing or hydro dipping, is a versatile decorative coating technology that allows detailed patterns and artwork to be applied to three-dimensional objects.

Applications on Toy Materials: Plastic, Metal, Wood, Ceramic, Glass.
MOQ: 200 Pcs

Features

• Variety of Patterns: Popular patterns include camo, wood grain, carbon fiber, marble, and cartoon designs, which can be applied to toys to enhance their aesthetic appeal.
• Durability: The designs are durable and resistant to water, dirt, grease, salt, weak acids, and oils, making them suitable for toys that will be frequently handled.
• Versatility: Can be used on a wide range of materials and shapes, providing flexibility in toy design and manufacturing.
• Professional Look: The seamless application of designs gives toys a professional and high-end appearance.
• Surface Coverage: It is particularly effective for covering complex and irregularly shaped surfaces, ensuring a seamless and professional finish.

9. Embossed & Debossed

Embossed Printing creates a raised design on the surface of a material, making the logo or text stand out. This is achieved by pressing the material between two metal plates, one with a raised design and one with a matching recess. Embossing is ideal for materials like silicone, rubber, and metal, offering a 3D effect that adds a tactile appeal.
Debossed Printing is the opposite, where the design is pressed into the material, creating an indented effect.

Applications on Toy Materials: Silicone, Rubber
MOQ: 1,000 Pcs

Features

• Tactile Quality: The raised designs produced by relief printing add a tactile dimension to toys, enhancing their sensory appeal.
• Durability: The process of intaglio printing results in durable designs that can withstand wear and tear, making it suitable for toys that are frequently handled or played with.

10. Sticker

Using a sticker is one of the simplest methods to add a logo to a toy. You can print your logo on sticker paper using a regular printer, and then stick it right on your product. This is also a great way to add barcodes or labels required by platforms like Amazon.

Applications on Toy Materials: Plastic, Metal, Wood, Ceramic, Glass, Cardboard
MOQ: 20 Pcs

Features

• Low Cost: Stickers are a low-cost solution for branding compared to custom-printed packaging or directly printing on toys. They can be produced in bulk, allowing businesses to save on production costs while still achieving effective branding.
• Easy Customization: Stickers can be easily customized in terms of size, shape, color, and design.

Summary

In today’s competitive toy market, you need to put your logo on your toys to stand out and be memorable. You can use UV printing, pad printing, laser printing, screen printing, embroidery, thermal transfer, UV transfer stickers, hydrographics, and embossed or debossed printing to put your logo on your toy, depending on the material and design of the toy. Each of these methods has unique advantages that will help you get the best-looking, longest-lasting, and most cost-effective logo on your toy so you can make your brand look great on the shelf.