Last Updated: February 16, 2024, 1:27 pm by TRUiC Team


Custom Ink Promotional Products Review

Whether you’re running a corporate event, welcoming new employees, or looking for unique ways to advertise your business, using custom made promotional merchandise can be a great addition to your business plan.

In this review, we’ll go over the details of Custom Ink’s promotional product and customization offerings and explain how they compare to other services on the market. Read on to find out if Custom Ink is the right choice for your business.

Summary

Launched in 2000, Custom Ink specializes in custom apparel and other promotional items for business and personal use. Custom Ink was built with design in mind. More than any of its competitors, the company works directly with customers to help them craft the best possible design or logo for their purposes.

Custom Ink is also the only company we’ve found that offers custom design services. For an upcharge starting at just $25, Custom Ink will create a simple, custom graphic based on your specifications. This makes them an excellent option for anyone looking to optimize the quality of their logo or use a one-stop shop for both designing and purchasing their promotional materials.

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Who is Custom Ink Right For?

If you are hoping to create an impressive logo to print on your promotional materials, you cannot go wrong with Custom Ink. From their expansive design tool to their team of artists, you are certain to come out with a well-crafted, high-quality logo to showcase your business.

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PROS

  • Custom Ink offers high-quality, personalized service to each customer throughout the design and purchase process.
  • Their Design Lab has over 68,000 pieces of free art to choose from when building your logo.
  • Customers have the option of building their own logo, uploading their pre-made design, or having Custom Ink’s design team create a professional-quality logo for them.
  • They offer several product options with no minimum purchase requirement.
  • They offer free standard shipping within the United States and Canada for all products.

CONS

  • Custom Ink has strict licensing requirements and does not review for copyright or other usage issues until after you’ve processed and paid for your order.
  • While they offer a money-back guarantee, their return and refund policies appear to be limited in practice.
  • Custom Ink bases pricing on both the color of the product you are printing on and the number of colors used in your design.

Deluxe: Custom Ink Alternative

For businesses that don’t require this level of design assistance, Deluxe can be an excellent, cost saving option. Customers will still find a user-friendly design tool and the option for personal assistance at a great low price.

Deluxe: prices vary

Read our Deluxe review

Pricing

Promotional product services like Custom Ink offer multiple services at varying price points. Here are a few of Custom Ink's features:

Base Features

  • Custom Ink offers the best design tools and options of any company we’ve seen. Customers can upload their own design or use any of their tens of thousands of images and graphics to craft their own logo.
  • Custom Ink offers a head start design option. Just enter information about your design idea, and they will generate a gallery of starter design options that you can then customize in their Design Lab.
  • For bulk orders of 6 or more, Custom Ink has a slate of professional designers who can take your idea, photo, or sketch and turn it into a beautifully designed image or logo. There are three tiers available to fit any budget.
  • Pricing for each product is determined by three main factors: the specific product and color you want to print on, how many ink colors you want on each side of your product, and how many pieces you need to order.
  • Quoted prices include artwork assistance, print setup, free shipping, and guaranteed delivery dates.

Pricing Examples

150 cotton tote bags:

  • with 1 color: $4.84 each, $726.00 total
  • with 5 colors: $9.47 each, $1,420.50 total

300 BIC Clic Stic Pens (black ink) in white:

  • with 3 colors (minimum of 250, max 3 colors): $1.05 each, $315.00 total
  • with 1 color (minimum of 250, max 3 colors): $0.89/each, $267.00 total

500 white sticky notes (50 sheets each):

  • with 1 color (minimum of 500, max 4 colors): $1.27 each, $635.00 total
  • with 4 colors(minimum of 500, max 4 colors): $2.14 each, $1,070.00 total

Ratings

Value - 3.5/5

Custom Ink is not the most affordable option available for promotional products, but customers can get a lot for their money. Their design tool offers the most variety and the highest quality graphics, and the company has the most impressive complimentary design assistance we’ve seen. For single-color designs, pricing falls down the middle compared to their competitors. However, their upcharge for multi-colored designs can quickly bump the price well above other companies with standard printing costs.

Customer Service - 5/5

Custom Ink’s customer service is impressive. They are available seven days a week through email, chat, and phone and offer extremely personalized service to each customer. Their representatives are proactive in reaching out to customers with design and ordering assistance and offer advice on how to optimize their logos and products.

Ease of Use - 5/5

Custom Ink’s website and Design Lab are extremely easy to use. The site offers intuitive prompts to direct you where you need to go, and it is fast and easy to find and change products from within the Design Lab. Pricing information, customer service options, and design assistance links are featured prominently on the top of each page.

Included Features - 5/5

Custom Ink offers the best selection of features among its competitors. With a full-service Design Lab to craft both simple and complex designs, the option to easily upload your own work, and premium custom design options, there is a service to suit every business.

Conclusion

Custom Ink offers a high-quality, user-friendly option for creating beautiful custom made promotional products for your business. It is an excellent choice for business owners looking to either craft beautiful, professional quality logos or those willing to pay to have Custom Ink’s team create the perfect design.

Since Custom Ink’s pricing can vary considerably depending on your specific design choice, they are not the best option for those looking to save money on multi-colored images or those who already have a logo and do not need in-depth design help. There are lower-cost options for customers who simply need to upload their premade logo onto promotional products.

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Who is Custom Ink Right For?

If you are hoping to create an impressive logo to print on your promotional materials, you cannot go wrong with Custom Ink. From their expansive design tool to their team of artists, you are certain to come out with a well-crafted, high-quality logo to showcase your business.

Try Custom Ink

Deluxe: Custom Ink Alternative

For businesses that don’t require this level of design assistance, Deluxe can be an excellent, cost saving option. Customers will still find a user-friendly design tool and the option for personal assistance at a great low price.

Deluxe: prices vary

Read our Deluxe review