How to Print a Logo on a Thermos Flask?

Customising a thermos flask (also known as vacuum flasks) as a personal or corporate gift has many distinct advantages. You can print your favourite pattern, logo, advertisements or your company brand on the face of the flask. Customising thermos flasks is great for corporate gifting, as it's a suitable gift for major events such as anniversaries, holidays or promotional events. Typically, thermos flasks have a stainless steel or plastic surface which makes them appropriate for printing. Currently, there are many ways to print your desired logo and design on the surface of the thermos. Below are a list of different printing methods with their respective costs and effects that your business can consider for designing your flask as a corporate gift for your customers.

Screen printing is a technique to transfer a design, artwork or logo onto a flat surface using dye or ink. The printing machine is not only designed for flasks but it can also print on any cylindrical object or container. It can print on metal, plastic and glass. Bottle screen printing consists of creating a stencil (a screen) and using that stencil to apply layers of ink onto the face of the flask and perfectly wrapping the artwork around the bottle on all sides. After the screen is created it can be reused, which reduces customisation productions costs which makes it a very suitable option for mass producing affordable and large corporate gift orders. However, bottle screen printing can only use one or two colours at most, and the patterns printed on the logo are relatively simple and not complex. In addition, the printed ink durability is not very long and made start to scratch off after a year or two of use.

Pad printing (also known as tampography) is a relatively recent technique that prints 2D designs onto any flask, mug, container or any other irregularly shaped objects by a digital machine. It's a process that involves transferring ink from a silicone pad onto a flask to generate a printed logo or image. This technique is more suited for more complex designs and objects that don't have a perfect cylindrical shape. Pad printing facilitates more colours and finer print in contrast to screen printing. However, although more complex designs can be printed with greater detail the biggest limitation is speed. Adding multiple colours need to be added separately which delays customisation rate. However, pad printing is still an effective and common method for printing thermos corporate gifts. 

Laser marking is a method that uses laser light to engrave patterns, designs and logos on thermos flasks. This is very suitable for thermos flasks that are made with metal or stainless steel which provides greater durability and resilience. Unlike other printing methods, engraved patterns from laser marking can't be peeled or easily faded away. Therefore, making it a suitable option for companies looking for creating customised thermos flask souvenirs.

Water transfer printing (also known as water transfer imaging, cubic printing and immersion printing) is a technique to apply printed designs onto an object. This method is suited for thermos flasks as they are made of stainless steel or metal. Designs are created by preparing a special hydrographic film that floats on top of the water tub. The thermos flask or mug is then dipped into the container and the paint sticks to the surface. This printing method is very fast and efficient as it can produce a large amount of customised corporate gifts in a short period of time. However, this technique is generally suited for single colors or simple patterns.

Thermal transfer printing is a digital printing method which involves preparing a 300dpi image or design and passing it through a heat transfer machine to melt the image and coat it onto a surface of the thermos flask or mug. Images that were transformed through heat transfer can withstand various temperatures when being washed and wont easily fall off. Although, this method can be used for mugs and thermos flasks, it generally is easier to use for clothing.

All methods mentioned are all viable options for printing your company brand, logo or design on your desired thermos flask or mug. Customised printed designs make perfect ideal corporate gifts and souvenirs for employees, clients and for special promotional events. The best method to consider would depend on budget and production volume. For simpler designs and faster production, screen printing and water transfer printing are two good options for designing your thermos as a corporate gift. However, for more complex designs no time constraints, pad printing is a very recommended option.