Paul Rand, one of the world’s greatest designers states that “a logo is a flag, a signature, an escutcheon, a street sign. A logo does not sell (directly), it identifies. A logo is rarely a description of a business. A logo derives meaning from the quality of the thing it symbolizes, not the other way around. A logo is less important than the product it signifies; what it represents is more important than what it looks like. The subject matter of a logo can be almost anything.”

A good logo is distinctive, appropriate, practical, graphic and simple in form, and it conveys the owner’s intended message. A concept or “meaning” is usually behind an effective logo, and it communicates the intended message. A logo should be able to be printed at any size and, in most cases, be effective without color. A great logo essentially boils down to two things: great concept and great execution.

For the full article please follow the link. Designing a Brand Logo.

December 02nd, 2011

A George. (Graphic Artist- Dometag Brand Labels.)

The Manufacturing Process – Creating amazing Domed Labels

To understand the doming industry better, it helps to understand the doming process. Doming is a simple process of pouring an exact volume of plastic onto a label. The liquid flows to the edge of the label just as a spilled glass of water will flow to the edge of a table and pause before going to the floor. Too much water and the floor gets wet, no enough water and the edge of the table is never reached. This surface tension caused by the surface edge creates the uniform dome in the finished label after approximately 12 hours of curing.

Doming is similar to making contact lenses for the eye. At first it seems so simple; just make a plastic bubble right? Keep in mind that 10 companies will offer doming material, some better than others. A chemical engineer can help determine the best doming material or one can go through a process of trial-and-error – at the risk of losing customers. Next, chemical reactions need to be addressed with the substrates, the coatings, the inks, the environment and ultimately chemical reactions on employees.

Uses

Our standard doming white polyester has a quick turn and low setups. Because of the durable construction, this substrate choice is ideal for many industries including those that require strong adhesive in outdoor applications. It looks great especially on white backgrounds, or with a full bleed showing white details or text, for more pop. This is our “go-to” substrate proven for its varying uses and unlimited design possibilities. Some of the best looking DomeTag Brand Labels are made using this construction.

Uses

An eye-catching bright silver domed label can enhance the design possibilities. This construction choice is great for giving that “printed metal” look. This is a durable polypropylene construction good for both indoor and outdoor applications. It can be digitally printed either with opaque colors or translucent colors which become “metallic”. It can also be screen printed for critical spot colors. A great choice for adding value without adding cost.

Uses

This matte silver polyester is quickly becoming one of our favorite constructions. It has a high-quality metal look. When designing with metallic substrates, less is more. A very modern image can be created using matte silver highlights and details. This construction can be digitally printed or screen printed. It is good for indoor or outdoor use.

Uses

A classic look of beauty and strength. This construction can be digitally printed or screen printed. Remember to specify which direction the brush strokes should run when designing and ordering your DomeTag Brand Labels.

Uses

This popular clear substrate offers unique design possibilities by letting the surface of the product show through the domed label. It can have a very subtle look while still allowing “pop” especially when foil stamped with rainbow holographic. It is great for giving a scripted look to lettering while still keeping a simple solid shape. Clear polyester can be digitally printed and is good for indoor and outdoor applications.

Uses

Curvable dome stickers are great for attaching a domed label to cylinder shaped products.
Traditionally, doming urethanes had amazing memory. However, the memory made it difficult for the urethane to hold a shape other than the flat shape attained during the curing process.
Curvable dome use a very soft and pliable urethane that allow the dome to hold to the curved surface.
If you are concerned about lifting, Curvable DomeTag Brand Labels may be the answer you are looking for.

Uses

Dome-in-dome design is ideal for point of purchase, trade-show, or window display. A very unique and interesting way to show your brand in texture molded 3-D. The possibilities are limitless and the “wow” factor is huge. A dome-in-dome nameplate is always a crowd pleaser and attention getter. If you are looking for something truly creative while still maintaining the class and prestige your image deserves, dome-in-dome could be just what you are looking for.

Uses
For a more substantial nameplate look, try adding a bezel to your next order of DomeTag Brand Labels. Bezels can be ordered to match most custom shapes. These are ideal for automotive dealerships or anyone looking for another way to enhance the image of their nameplates.

Uses

Domed-over cutouts are generally used to allow LED lights to be visible through the domed label or nameplate. They can also be used to enhance a back-lit dome. Open windows are spaces in the label that have purposely been cut out before doming and domed around to leave a window. These are primarily not for seeing through, but rather for allowing a button to be accessed through the opening. DomeTag Brand Labels with cutouts and windows are widely used on computer keyboards, monitors, and cases, as well as many other products in the the electronics industry.

Uses

The open-ended dome can be pleasing to the eye as well as allowing a true representation of the original brand image. The open-ended dome is only restricted in design by the physical characteristics of the doming material and the surface tension of the substrate. Please consult your doming specialist at DomeTag(R) for best results.

Uses

A scripted dome is specific to numbers and letters. Because of the nature of this type of doming, they are in their own category. They generally have both cutouts and open-ends incorporated in the fonts. When done right, these can be very powerful ways to display your brand image accurately. A scripted dome is only restricted by the physical nature of the doming material and the surface energy of the substrate.

Please contact your doming specialist at DomeTag(R) for best results.

Uses

The textile domed labels are a great way to decorate fabric products without the graphic limitations of embroidery or screen printing. They are used on a multitude of products from tote bags to clothing.  The textile dome is ideal for most woven fiber fabrics. Certain synthetic fabrics with water resistant coatings do not lend themselves eagerly to a textile dome. Please consult your doming specialist at DomeTag(R) for best results.

Uses

Selective doming is ideal for membrane switches to enhance the tactile feel. It can also be used to allow a stitchable border for attaching to fabrics.

Uses

Roll doming gives the ability to offer tens of millions of DomeTag Brand Labels without the increased cost of manual application. A roll dome can be applied on an automated assembly line, from a reel, as the product cycles past. Industries benefiting from this proprietary innovation include consumable products, and mass produced  products, where the volumes can be high when compared to traditional domed label volumes.

Uses

An RFID dome is a great way to comply with increasing retail requirements and enhance your product’s shelf appeal at the same time. Available RFID frequencies include UHF and HF. Consider the possibility of using RFID and roll doming together for a truly cutting edge and technologically advanced design.

Uses

DomeTag™ offers a contract doming service for the printing, label, and nameplate industries. Our contract doming customers appreciate the ability to offer domed labels without the headache of incorporating the doming process in-house. Because of the increased overhead and space, the amount of doming business would need to be substantial to break even. DomeTag™ offers you the ability to gain a profit and satisfy your customers’ doming requirements. Your customers demand a lot – now you have a doming partner willing to do whatever it takes to keep your customers coming back.

Uses

An epoxy dome is great for enhancing promotional products such as key chains, pad-folios, binders, bags, totes, yo-yo’s, letter openers, plaques, golf accessories… whatever you need decorated, DomeTag™ can help add value and durability. Got something unique? Give us a call and let our Ad Specialty R&D team find a solution.

DomeTag Bubble Stickers Make Your Logo Stand Out

In today’s competitive market, your brand has to stand out from the crowd. DomeTag domed labels keep your company’s image bright and fresh in spite of weather, heat and chemical exposure. Bubble stickers from DomeTag are a dynamic, eye-popping way to brand your products.

DomeTag bubble stickers protect your logo with a clear, flexible layer of thick polyurethane that literally makes your company’s image pop off the surface of your product. DomeTag bubble labels are waterproof and rustproof and resist damage from weather, heat, germs and chemicals.

DomeTag has innovated proprietary doming equipment to create perfect bubble stickers to showcase your logo. Choose from a variety of substrates, including white, bright silver, clear, matte silver, brushed silver and a wide variety of custom substrates. Our colorfast, near-photographic quality full color printing supports the use of blended colors, photographs and can even closely imitate natural finishes such as woodgrain to showcase your logo.

Your logo is protected by a clear, domed flexible polyurethane. DomeTag’s unique process results in bubble stickers that dent and then spring back into shape under pressure instead of scratching or cracking. The crystal-clear material resists yellowing and distortion and can withstand the equivalent of 3 years of constant exposure to Florida sun.

DomeTag bubble stickers affix to your product with DomeTag’s own specially designed adhesive, Elephant Snot. Elephant Snot was developed specifically for DomeTag stickers and is a permanent, pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive that is recommended for most smooth or lightly textured surfaces. DomeTag offers a wide range of custom adhesives, including 3M adhesives, for attaching bubble stickers to other types of surfaces, including textiles.

DomeTag’s confidence in their product is reflected in their ten year warranty against defects of materials or in workmanship. The bubble material is also warranted for six years against yellowing, and the image is warranted for six years of indoor use or three years of outdoor use against noticeable fading or discoloration.

As a business owner, you know how important branding is in today’s competitive market. Your logo as it appears on every product you sell may be the most effective tool in your marketing arsenal. That’s why it’s so important that your logo not only stays as fresh and bright as new for as long as the consumer owns it, but that it pop out at the viewer. Domed labels, also known as bubble labels, protect your company’s logo with a clear, flexible bubble of polyurethane that rebounds from dings and resists scratches. DomeTag bubble labels are designed to withstand exposure to weather and sunshine, as well as salt, acid, bacteria, oils and chemicals.

DomeTag bubble labels are ideal for products that are exposed to punishing conditions, such as boats, cell phones, appliances, automobile accessories and tools. Thanks to DomeTags proprietary adhesive, Elephant Snot, and a wide variety of custom adhesives, including 3M adhesives, DomeTag bubble stickers are also suitable for textiles, including outerwear, sporting equipment and other applications that must withstand temperature changes. DomeTag specializes in customizing eye-popping, uniquely touchable bubble labels for any application.

DomeTag’s unique, proprietary manufacturing process allows you complete freedom to be as creative as you like. DomeTag bubble labels are available in every imaginable shape, size and color. DomeTag’s four-color, near-photographic quality graphics can withstand years of sunlight without fading and are available in a wide variety of standard and custom substrates to suit your company’s unique needs.

DomeTag bubble labels make your logo bright and appealing as well as pleasing to the touch. A wide variety of designs are available, including curvable dome stickers for rounded surfaces, dome in dome stickers for a distinctive three-dimensional look, bezel dome stickers for a rich, jewelry-like appearance and feel, scripted doming for letter, numeral and other distinctive shapes and textile bubble labels for porous surfaces, as well as many others.