8 custom logo printing methods for protective cases — 2026 B2B guide

# 8 custom logo printing methods for protective cases — 2026 B2B guide Custom logo printing transforms a generic case into a branded marketing asset. B2B buyers face 8 distinct methods with different cost, MOQ, durability, and aesthetic trade-offs. This guide compares each method with 2026 pricing. ## Method overview ### 1. Silk-screen printing (1-4 colors) - **How**: Mesh screen presses ink through stencil onto case surface - **MOQ**: 500 pieces (standard colors) / 1,000 (4-color) - **Cost**: USD 0.30-0.80 per piece (depends on size + color count) - **Durability**: 5+ years outdoor, UV-resistant, scratch-resistant - **Best for**: Brand logos, model numbers, simple icons - **Materials**: PP, ABS, aluminum, HDPE all work - **Limitations**: 4 color max, gradient colors not possible - **Kexin 2026 lead time**: +5-7 days ### 2. Pad printing (1-3 colors) - **How**: Silicone pad picks up ink from etched plate, transfers to irregular surface - **MOQ**: 1,000 pieces (small batch possible at higher cost) - **Cost**: USD 0.40-1.20 per piece - **Durability**: 3-5 years outdoor - **Best for**: Curved surfaces, recessed areas, small details - **Materials**: All including textured - **Limitations**: Less crisp than silk-screen ### 3. Hot stamping (1-3 colors) - **How**: Heated die presses metallic or pigmented foil onto case - **MOQ**: 500 pieces - **Cost**: USD 0.30-0.80 per piece - **Durability**: 5+ years, premium look (metallic gold/silver) - **Best for**: Premium brands, luxury positioning - **Colors**: Gold, silver, black, white, custom metallic on request - **Kexin 2026 lead time**: +5-7 days ### 4. Laser engraving - **How**: CO2 or fiber laser removes surface layer, exposing base material color - **MOQ**: 500 pieces - **Cost**: USD 0.50-1.50 per piece (depends on engraving depth + area) - **Durability**: Permanent, cannot be removed without damaging case - **Best for**: Aluminum 8-series, traceability marks, serial numbers, anti-counterfeit - **Materials**: Aluminum (best), ABS (good), PP (limited contrast) - **Kexin 2026 lead time**: +7-10 days ### 5. Doming (3D epoxy sticker) - **How**: Polyurethane resin applied over printed sticker, cured to form 3D dome - **MOQ**: 1,000 pieces - **Cost**: USD 0.80-2.00 per piece (depending on size and complexity) - **Durability**: 5-8 years outdoor, UV-stable polyurethane - **Best for**: Premium consumer brands, automotive OEM, military patches - **Sizes**: 20×20mm to 200×100mm - **Lead time**: +10-15 days (multi-step process) ### 6. Digital printing (full color, photo) - **How**: UV-cured inkjet directly onto case surface - **MOQ**: 1,000 pieces (lower than silk-screen due to no setup) - **Cost**: USD 1.00-2.50 per piece - **Durability**: 3-5 years, fade-resistant UV-cured inks - **Best for**: Complex multi-color logos, photographs, gradients - **Limitations**: Lower opacity on dark surfaces without white base layer (+USD 0.50) ### 7. In-mold labeling (IML) - **How**: Pre-printed label placed in mold before injection, fuses with case during molding - **MOQ**: 5,000 pieces (mold setup cost) - **Cost**: USD 0.50-1.00 per piece (lower than post-mold for high volume) - **Durability**: Permanent, cannot peel or fade, embedded in case material - **Best for**: High-volume OEM products, brand-protected designs, anti-counterfeit - **Limitations**: High MOQ, dedicated mold required, longer lead time ### 8. Metallic-effect doming - **How**: Doming with metallic foil under the resin layer - **MOQ**: 2,000 pieces - **Cost**: USD 1.20-2.50 per piece - **Durability**: 5-8 years - **Best for**: High-end consumer brands, awards, special editions - **Aesthetic**: 3D depth + metallic shine + custom colors ## Comparison matrix | Method | MOQ | Cost/piece | Lead time | Durability | Best for | |--------|-----|------------|-----------|------------|----------| | Silk-screen | 500 | USD 0.30-0.80 | +5-7 d | 5+ y | Standard brand logos | | Pad print | 1,000 | USD 0.40-1.20 | +5-7 d | 3-5 y | Curved surfaces | | Hot stamp | 500 | USD 0.30-0.80 | +5-7 d | 5+ y | Premium metallic | | Laser engrave | 500 | USD 0.50-1.50 | +7-10 d | Permanent | Aluminum traceability | | Doming | 1,000 | USD 0.80-2.00 | +10-15 d | 5-8 y | 3D premium look | | Digital | 1,000 | USD 1.00-2.50 | +5-7 d | 3-5 y | Full color photos | | IML | 5,000 | USD 0.50-1.00 | +20-30 d | Permanent | High-volume OEM | | Metallic doming | 2,000 | USD 1.20-2.50 | +10-15 d | 5-8 y | Awards/specialty | ## Material compatibility | Material | Silk-screen | Pad | Hot stamp | Laser | Doming | Digital | IML | |----------|-------------|-----|-----------|-------|---------|---------|-----| | PP (1/6-series) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ low contrast | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | ABS (6-series) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | Aluminum (8-series) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ best | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | | HDPE (9-series) | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ limited | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ## Position options - Up to 3 positions per case (e.g. front + side + back) - Standard positions: front center, side near handle, top lid corner - Custom positions: free with vector artwork, +USD 0.10-0.30 per piece for unusual positions ## Size limits - Maximum logo size: 200×100mm without distortion - Minimum readable size: 10×3mm - Multi-position coordination: +USD 200 setup fee (one-time per design) ## Color matching - Pantone Solid Coated: standard reference - Pantone Solid Uncoated: +5% for matte cases - RAL: +10% (German industrial standard) - Custom color: +USD 200 lab fee + 7 days color matching - Delta E tolerance: ≤ 3.0 (acceptable), ≤ 1.5 (premium) ## File requirements - **Vector preferred**: AI / EPS / PDF / SVG - **Raster accepted**: PNG (300 DPI min) / TIFF - **Color space**: Pantone Solid Coated or CMYK - **Fonts**: outlined (converted to paths) - **Min stroke width**: 0.5 pt for silk-screen, 1.0 pt for laser ## Kexin recommendation by use case | Brand profile | Recommended method | |---------------|-------------------| | Cost-sensitive B2B (e.g. tool distributors) | Silk-screen 1-2 colors | | Premium brand positioning | Hot stamping gold/silver + laser on aluminum | | Consumer-facing (e.g. drone enthusiasts) | Doming 3D epoxy | | Military / defense (anti-counterfeit) | Laser engraving on aluminum + serial number | | High-volume OEM (10,000+ pieces/year) | IML for lowest total cost | | Limited edition / awards | Metallic doming | ## Compliance & IP - Trademark verification: Kexin does NOT verify trademark availability — buyer responsible - Brand assets: customer-owned, Kexin does not retain or reuse - NDA: signed before design disclosure (see factory audit checklist) - Tooling ownership: customer retains mold plate ownership ## Lead time summary Standard 30-45 day production + logo addition time: - Silk-screen / pad print / hot stamp: +5-7 days - Laser engraving: +7-10 days - Doming / metallic doming: +10-15 days - IML: +20-30 days (requires dedicated mold) ## Bottom line Silk-screen is the workhorse for 80% of B2B custom logo orders (best cost-quality balance). For premium brands, combine silk-screen with hot-stamped accent. For high-volume OEM, IML is the cheapest per-piece at scale. Kexin provides digital mockups within 24 hours for any logo design.