Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Grosgrain ribbon with logo is a matte ribbed ribbon on which the brand name or logo is printed repeatedly along its whole length. It is most often printed by screen printing, hot foil stamping, thermal transfer or sublimation. The texture of the ribs calls for bolder lines in the design, but it gives a calm, premium look suitable for garments, hats and packaging.
Where grosgrain ribbon with logo is used
- inner collar bindings and seam tapes on jackets and coats;
- hanger loops for garments and towels;
- outer bands on hats and caps;
- handles and bindings on textile bags;
- bows and bands for boxes, pouches and gift sets;
- branded straps for key rings and accessories.
For narrow printed tapes that replace a label in the neck seam, see also printed labels.
Methods for printing a logo on grosgrain ribbon
Screen printing
The ink is pressed through a fine mesh directly onto the ribbon. It is suitable for one- to multi-colour logos, gives a solid layer and good durability. On a ribbed surface the ink fills the ribs, so screen printing is the safest choice for products that are washed.
Hot foil stamping
A heated die presses metallic foil onto the ribbon – producing gold, silver or coloured glossy lettering. It looks luxurious and is a classic for packaging and bows. Fine details can "break up" on the ribs, and wash resistance is lower, so the method is used mainly for ribbons that are not washed.
Thermal transfer
The logo is printed on a carrier tape and transferred with heat and pressure. It allows more colours and finer detail than screen printing, and suits short runs and logos with gradients.
Sublimation
The dye penetrates the polyester fibres, so the print cannot be felt and does not rub off. It works only on white or light polyester ribbon – it does not show on a dark background. It is suitable for full-colour motifs and repeating patterns.
Comparison of methods
| Method | Colours | Fine detail | Washing | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen printing | 1–several | medium | good | solid, matte |
| Hot foil stamping | 1 (foil) | limited | limited | metallic, glossy |
| Thermal transfer | many | good | good | smooth layer |
| Sublimation | full colour | good | very good | no hand feel, light background only |
How the ribs affect the design
The ribs of grosgrain are small horizontal "steps". When a thin line falls between them, it looks broken. Therefore:
- avoid lines under about 0.3–0.5 mm and very thin serif fonts;
- use solid, bold fonts and a simplified version of the logo;
- do not rely on very small text – on a 10 mm ribbon the letter height is limited;
- with a reversed design (white logo on a dark ribbon), increase the thickness of the elements.
Repeat and orientation
The repeat is the distance between two repetitions of the logo. Set it according to how the ribbon will be cut:
- Continuous ribbon (bindings, collar) – a shorter repeat so that the logo is visible on every visible section.
- Cut pieces (loops, bows) – the repeat should match the length of the piece so that the logo is centred.
- Orientation – state whether the logo runs along the length or is rotated; for hanger loops it is usually read vertically after folding.
Ribbon colour and print colour
The ribbon can be dyed to Pantone or to a fabric sample, and the print can be in a contrasting or tone-on-tone colour. Tone-on-tone (for example navy print on a blue ribbon) looks discreet and luxurious. On dark ribbons, some light colours need an underlay to be saturated. Always compare a print sample on the real ribbon – colour on a textured matte surface looks different from the screen.
What to send in your inquiry
- the logo in vector format (AI, PDF, EPS, SVG);
- the width and colour of the ribbon, the print colour;
- the use and whether the ribbon will be washed;
- the repeat, orientation and length of the pieces, if cut;
- the total quantity in metres.
The price depends on the ribbon width, printing method, number of colours, quantity and cutting – we give specific figures after a quote request.
Common ordering mistakes
- A logo in raster format only. Low resolution leads to blurred edges; a vector file is needed.
- A design that is too fine. Thin lines and small letters disappear between the ribs.
- Foil for a product that is washed. The metallic effect wears off after a few washes.
- Sublimation on a dark ribbon. The method only works on light polyester.
- The wrong repeat. When pieces are cut, the logo is cut off or ends up in the seam.
- Approval on screen only. Without a physical sample, the colour and density of the print can come as a surprise.
The easiest thing is to send a photo of the product with the ribbon position marked – that way we can suggest a width, method and repeat that work for that particular style.
Why grosgrain and not another ribbon
Grosgrain is preferred for branding when the ribbon needs to look understated and withstand use. The matte surface does not reflect light and the logo reads well from different angles, while the dense weave does not distort when cut and sewn. In addition, a stable ribbon is cut precisely on automatic machines, which matters for loops and labels of identical length. For a more festive look, some brands combine logo grosgrain for the product with logo satin for the packaging.
Grosgrain ribbon with logo from Polkom
Polkom is a Sofia-based manufacturer of branded accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags. We produce grosgrain ribbon with a printed logo, make samples and deliver throughout the EU. If you are torn between a matte and a glossy look, compare it with satin ribbon. Send your logo and a description of the product via Contact.
