Our Products - Ribbon Impressions

Using Ribbons: Dictionary & Glossary

A glossary is helpful when making your next ribbon choice!

With so many different custom ribbon types to choose from, selecting the perfect ribbon for your event or project can be difficult. This simple ribbon glossary is helpful when picking the perfect ribbon for your next ribbon project or event.

Most of these terms refer to our custom ribbon rolls. However, some of them are for printing processes and other ribbon types.

Polyester:

This is a fabric made from a polymer which is usually formed by polymerizing a polyhydric alcohol with a polybasic acid. These fabrics are colorfast and will not shrink. They are the most durable.

Grosgrain (pronounced gro-grain):

This is a heavy ribbon which has a ribbed, or corded texture and appearance across the width of the ribbon, typically made of silk or rayon.

Chiffon:

This is a sheer fabric of silk, nylon, or rayon in plain weave.

Acetate:

Also called acetate rayon. This is a synthetic filament, yarn, or fabric composed of a derivative of the acetic ester of cellulose. It differs from viscose rayon in having greater strength when wet and greater sensitivity to high temperatures.

Satin:

A ribbon or fabric which has a smooth, shiny appearance, and often has a glossy face and a soft, slippery texture. The term “satin” is a type of weave which results in the shiny appearance on one side and “flat” appearance on the other.

Metallic:

Referring to a yarn or fiber made partly or entirely of metal or a reflective film or ink and having a metallic appearance. This is also in printing and makes lettering and logos slightly reflective to light.

Hot Stamp:

A dry printing method of lithography in which predried ink or foils are transferred to the ribbon surface. This is done at high temperatures and is efficient for quick runs and simple designs.

Hopefully, these terms will help you to understand what are the differences in our ribbon. And, as always, we’re here to help. And we are only a click or a phone call away!

Custom Ribbons: Full Color vs. Imprinting

The printing process for custom ribbons is one of its most important features. While all of our custom ribbons have multiple uses, sometimes you have to know just the right ribbon to choose. And, with different printing options, at times you just need a helping hand to make that decision.

The first ribbon is imprinted with a standard die.

The second ribbon is imprinted with a metal die.

The last ribbon is printed in full color.

Imprinted Custom Ribbons

When a ribbon is imprinted, it means that a stamp is pressed onto a thin foil against the ribbon. Heat is applied and stamps this colored foil onto the surface of the ribbon. Because of this stamping process, imprinted ribbons will not hold fine detail. Keep your graphics and text a bit larger so that details don’t get lost in the printing.

A plus to imprinting is that you can have metallic printed onto your custom ribbons. This means that they will sparkle and shine. The metallic foils will help others to see what is imprinted on the ribbons. Imprinted ribbons are perfect for any fair, sporting event or other achievement days.

Full Color Custom Ribbons

These custom ribbons allow for a multi-colored background instead of a solid color like imprinted ribbons. However, no metallic printing is available. But don’t let that discourage you. Print these full color ribbons with almost any design you want! And because of the printing, the ribbons capture detail finer than what imprinting will hold, so you can do whatever you need to with your text and graphics.

From prints that include a bleed to bright and eye-catching designs, these custom ribbons are sure to get your message out there! These ribbons are a great way to promote a special day, promotion, sale or any other event.

So, if your next custom ribbons project is something simple and plain to go with a name badge, imprinted ribbons are for you. These are also ideal for quickly identifying someone’s role during an event.

However, if you need something that will stand out in a crowd, make sure to choose a full color ribbon instead. With all the color and printing options of full color, your ribbons are sure to be the hit of your conference!

Birthday Parties and Custom Ribbons

Ribbons and holidays should be synonymous! And that is particularly the case for a birthday! Ribbons have such a wide variety of uses when it comes to holidays. And birthdays are no exception to this. They are perfect for wrapping presents. Ribbons are also ideal for decorating. And don’t forget prizes and awards. And, when it comes to your next birthday party, don’t forget your ribbons. Here are a few quick ideas on how to use your ribbons!

Using ribbon rolls:

Use these to wrap gifts. Hang decorations with custom rolls to make any party unique by adding messages of happy birthday, the person’s name, or even a date. Anther great thing to do with custom ribbon rolls is to decorate a table for a luncheon or other meal. Wrap the silverware with a cute bow. Use them in centerpieces. Or just drape them on a wall or other surface to brighten up the room!

Using rosette ribbons:

From playing games to giving awards and even just recognizing the birthday person, rosettes are perfect for almost anything! Try handing out a rosette to each attendee as they come into the party. These can be custom made with virtually any message or decoration. Use them as prizes for games and everyone will feel just as special as the birthday person.

Using badge ribbons:

These ribbons are spectacular when it comes to decorating or parties! There are so many fun uses for these, such as prizes, handouts, decorations, bookmarks, and more! From custom to stock ribbons, these are perfect for any need.

Try using them at your next birthday party for the invitations to attend. They are sure to get remembered, and everyone will show up just because of your creativity.

No matter your ribbon choice, it’s great to go with your next birthday party! Get yours today!

Creative Embroidery Ribbons

Flowers, houses and hats are perfect subjects for the artwork created with this creative ribbon embroidery!

When most people think of ribbon rolls, they consider wrapping presents or decorating for a party or some other function. Some people, however, think “what can I do with this that will make it quirky?” Here’s another idea to get your creative juices flowing!

Embroidery is the handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn.

The basic techniques or stitches on surviving examples of the earliest embroidery (chain stitch, buttonhole or blanket stitch, running stitch, satin stitch, cross stitch) remain the fundamental techniques of hand embroidery today.

The fabrics and yarns used in traditional embroidery vary from place to place. Wool, linen, and silk have been in use for thousands of years for both fabric and yarn. Ribbon embroidery uses narrow ribbon in silk or organza blend ribbon, most commonly to create floral motifs.

While the most common things embroidered are flowers, these twisted and folded ribbons are perfect to make any artwork piece come to life. And the best part is these ribbons look great as framed wall art or on throw pillows on your favorite chair.

embroidery using satin ribbons to make flowers and other art pieces

embroidery using satin ribbons to make hats and other art pieces

embroidery using satin ribbons to make houses and gardens and other art pieces

With so many different stitches available, each look and flower will be as unique as the person making the art piece. And remember not to limit yourself to your design. Flowers are lovely, but so is a lady wearing a hat. Try making a house with a garden. And what about birds and other animals?

If you try your hand at this beautiful form of art, don’t limit yourself. Try different ribbon types and also different stitches. Keep your imagination flowing!

We’re always looking for new ideas for your favorite creative ribbons. Send us a message with your favorite way of using custom and stock ribbons today!

Bringing Cheer with Custom Ribbons

Cheer up! Nothing brightens up a day like a thoughtful gift.

Often life throws a curve in our way with someone we know and love getting sick. And more often, we want to let these people know that they are in our thoughts. The best way to do this is to brighten their day while they are laid up.

Nothing brightens anyone’s day quite like a gift. And the best way to make a gift feel special is to add a personalized greeting. So, why not do this with colorful and unique custom ribbons!

Custom ribbons allow friends and family to give personalized sympathy and get well messages along with any gift. These sympathy ribbons often will be saved after the person gets better to remember your thoughtfulness.

And, if anyone has to spend some time at a care facility or hospital, they are definitely in need of some cheering up. By using bold and colorful ribbons, any thoughtful gift will spread the cheer not only to the recipient but also to the staff at the hospital or care center.

The idea is to bring cheer to those around you.

So, whether it’s a homemade treat or a bouquet of flowers, personalized ribbons will help cheer up anyone and let them know that you care.

personalized ribbons and thoughtful gifts will help cheer up almost anyone Another great idea is to order customized ribbons that express either a get well message or a message of appreciation to share with multiple people at the same time. Why not visit your local hospital or care center and share a thoughtful gift with those that need some cheer in their lives.

Remember, it’s the simple things in life that matter the most. Sharing yourself and bringing those around you cheer is important.

As Paulo Coelho said, “It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only wise men are able to understand them.”

In the end, it isn’t about the ribbon or the gift. It’s about expressing cheer and emotion with the trinket of thoughtfulness.