Learn about the most common ways to print rugby balls

The Best Ways to Print Rugby Balls

Are you a business owner who is passionate about a manly game called rugby? Thinking of hosting an event or promote your business to rugby enthusiasts? There are countless ways you can successfully spread the word about your business, brand or event, but one innovative way is to print your brand on a rugby ball. At the first glace, it may sound like a very complicated task, but believe us, it's not. We're going to provide you with all details and ways to print rugby balls.  

Choosing the Right Rugby Ball for Printing

  After you've decided you're going to promote your business or brand by putting a print on a rugby ball, the most important thing is to pick the right ball.   Two most important aspects of picking the right rugby balls are materials and size.   There are countless different materials used in producing rugby balls on the market. The highest quality and most durable rugby balls are made of leather. Other options include rubber balls with a diverse amount of fillers that are suitable for smaller and amateur events.   If you're planning to promote your business or brand on a professional rugby event, then you should go with a leather and hand-stitched ball.   Size is extremely important, especially if you know all the details of a rugby event. For instance, the male adult ball size is 5, while the official size for kids is 3. You definitely want to know more about the participants as you don't want to print on wrong-sized rugby balls.   Let's talk about two main ways to print rugby balls.  

What Are Two Main Ways to Print Rugby Balls?

  What are two ways to print rugby balls?   There are two prevalent printing techniques when it comes to putting the custom graphic on rugby balls - screen and digital printing.   Screen printing refers to heat printing where the heat is used to transfer the graphic to the ball. On the other hand, digital printing is a bit more complex process since the graphic is directly printed to a fabric of the ball. For instance, after designing a graphic, the huge printers put that graphic through a complex process on a fabric that will later cover the ball.   Now when you know to most commonly used ways to print rugby balls, it's time to talk about each in details.  

Screen Printed Rugby Balls

  Screen printing is by far the most used printing method when it comes to making your own custom rugby balls. For this type of printing, you have to prepare a graphic that you want to apply on the ball. Once you have a graphic you'd like to apply, it's time to transfer it to the ball. There are countless methods of transferring a graphic to the ball, but the most used method is a thermal one.   How does it work?   First, you have to position your graphic on the place you'd like to print. After you found a perfect spot, it's time to apply heat over the spot with the graphic. After a few seconds, you'll be able to notice your graphic is actually a part of the ball. It's a pretty straightforward process that doesn't require much effort or experience. The only equipment you need is something that can heat the object to at least 180°C.   Here's the video of making screen-printed rugby balls:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUQb5sSv4b4

 

Digital Printed Rugby Balls

  While screen printing can be done without any special equipment, digital printing is a bit newer process that requires expensive equipment for printing on fabric. First of all, the graphic is being processed through a computer and you're directly printing on a fabric that you'll later put on the rugby ball.   It's important to know that this method doesn't use heat to transfer the graphic. This method directly transfers ink to the fabric or material you're planning to use for a rugby ball.   Here's the video that shows more about digital printing:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc2kxRHyFpY

 

Screen Printing vs. Digital Printing

  It's hard to pick between these two ways to print rugby balls since each method has its own benefits. It's important that you exactly know what you're looking for before picking the printing method for rugby balls. Don't forget to check our custom promotional rugby balls that will definitely give a boost to your business or brand.   For instance, screen printing is way cheaper and easier to perform since it doesn't require expensive printing equipment. You have to be aware that with this method you can't expect a high level of details, but the tint is way thicker which results in brighter colors once the graphic is applied. Screen printing is ideal for making unique products since every process performed by a hand. You have more flexibility when it comes to picking the place and a graphic type while using a screen printing, so it's not a strange thing that majority of custom rugby balls are made using this method.   On the other hand, digital printing requires huge printers that can apply ink directly to the fabric or the material. This method allows a photographic print which means you can add much more details and colors. The ink is a bit thinner compared to screen printing which results in shiny colors once the graphic is applied.  

Which Printing Method to Pick for Printed Rugby Balls?

  Which of these two ways to print rugby balls to choose?   Like we already mentioned, it really depends on what you need.   If you're looking to print many rugby balls and put a small graphic of your brand or business, then screen printing is a way to go. On the other hand, if you're into details and have a bigger budget, then go for digital printing.   Have you ever had a chance to see any of these ways to print rugby balls? Which one do you prefer and why? Also, if you're looking to get high-quality printed rugby balls and have any question related to a printing method, feel free to send us a message or reach us out through a live chat.
Back to blog