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.