Thermal Engraving: The Hot Stamping Technique for Premium Custom Gifts

What is Thermogravure?
Thermogravure is a personalization technique that uses heat to create durable marks on various materials, becoming a strategic ally for companies that want to offer high-quality customized promotional gifts. In Spain, where the demand for ecological and corporate gifts is growing, this method stands out for its versatility and sustainability. In this article, we explore how thermogravure can enhance your branding strategy, with practical examples and guidelines for choosing the best solutions.
How does it work?
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Design Creation: The project is digitized and prepared for the engraving machine.
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Temperature Setting: Adjusted based on the material (e.g., 120°C for wood, 180°C for plastic).
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Heat Application: A heated tip or laser moves over the material, creating grooves or altering the texture.
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Finishing: Removal of residues and verification of precision.
Advantages of Thermogravure for Customized Gifts
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Exceptional Durability:
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Resistant to scratches, water, and UV exposure;
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Ideal for corporate gifts that need to last for years.
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Versatile Materials:
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Wood: Keychains, decorative plaques;
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Leather: Professional folders, cardholders;
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Cork: Ecological gifts aligned with trends.
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Detail and Precision:
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Engravings with precision of 0.1 mm, perfect for complex logos;
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Tactile effects (e.g., embossed textures).
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Sustainability:
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Zero waste of inks or chemicals;
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Compatible with recyclable materials (e.g., PET plastic or cork).
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Cost Efficiency:
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Ideal for small runs (starting from 10 unit);
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No mold preparation costs.
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Applications in Customized Gifts
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Corporate Gifts:
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Metal keychains with the company name;
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Custom portfolio covers with engraved logo.
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Ecological Gifts:
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Organic fabric shopping bags with custom designs.
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Institutional Gifts:
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Diplomas or commemorative plaques for employees;
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Thermogravure vs. Other Techniques: Why Choose It?
CRITERION | THERMOGRAVURE | LASER ENGRAVING | SCREEN PRINTING |
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Durability | Permanent (5+ years) | Permanent (depends on material) | 1-2 years (wear) |
Sustainability | No chemicals | CO₂ emissions | Non-recyclable inks |
The Power of Meaningful Simplicity
In a world saturated with visual stimuli and technological innovations, simplicity has become a rare luxury. Moleskine notebooks have earned their place for that very reason: they offer a return to the essentials. They are not just notebooks — they are invitations to creative thinking, introspection, and purposeful idea organization. And it’s that aura of authenticity and inspiration that many brands seek to reflect when choosing personalised notebooks of this kind for their clients or employees.
Thermogravure Trends for 2024
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Ecological Gifts:
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Engraving on materials like cork or bamboo, Spanish icons.
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Hybrid Personalization:
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Combination of thermogravure with NFC technology (e.g., keychains with links to the company website).
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Minimalist Design:
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Subtle engravings in natural tones, aligned with Scandinavian aesthetics.
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Conclusion
Thermal engraving is the ideal technique for companies looking to offer unique, long-lasting and sustainability-aligned custom promotional gifts. With a sophisticated finish and wear resistance, this technique stands out by delivering high-quality customisation on materials such as wood, leather, cork, and recycled paper. In Portugal, where the demand for eco-friendly corporate gifts keeps growing, mastering this technology is a strategic step to strengthen your brand, enhance the perceived value of your products, and demonstrate a true commitment to sustainability and innovation.