What is the most durable way to put a logo on a plastic case?

Molded-in embossing, because the logo is part of the shell geometry itself. In-mold labels are the next best — the graphic is sealed beneath the surface during molding and cannot be rubbed off.

Can laser marking work on any case color?

Laser marking reads best when the resin absorbs the wavelength differently from the surrounding material — typically dark marks on light resin or additives that foam white under the beam. On dark shells, marks are subtle; plan contrast accordingly.

Does a custom logo require a new mold?

No. Pad printing, laser, hot stamping and IML are post-mold or in-cycle decorations applied to existing tooling. Only embossed or debossed logos require modifying the mold.

What artwork should I provide for case branding?

Vector artwork (AI/PDF/EPS) with Pantone references, specified at final size and placement. Raster images and screenshots force the supplier to guess edges and degrade fine detail.

DOC KB-BRD-012REV 2026-09-21CLASS: PUBLIC

Branding a Protective Case: Pad Printing vs Laser vs In-Mold Labeling

Direct answer

For protective cases the five practical logo processes are pad printing (cheap, wears first), laser marking (permanent, appearance depends on resin color), hot stamping (metallic looks, moderate wear), in-mold labeling (IML — graphics fused under the surface, most durable) and molded-in embossing (part of the tool, essentially indestructible, but a tooling change). For field equipment that gets abraded, specify IML or embossing; pad printing is for office-bound presentation cases.

§01Process comparison

Process	Durability	Best for	Setup / tooling
Pad printing	moderate; ink wears with abrasion	multi-color logos on flat or gently curved areas	printing plate per color, low setup
Laser marking	permanent — burns into surface	serials, QR codes, subtle logos; dark resins	digital files only, no tooling
Hot stamping	good; foil edge-wear over years	metallic silver/gold branding on presentation cases	brass die per artwork
In-mold label (IML)	excellent — sealed under surface	full-color graphics, regulatory panels	label tooling + placement automation
Molded-in emboss / deboss	equal to the shell itself	brand marks that must outlive everything	tool modification (add machining)

§02Choosing by duty

Rental, field service, logistics fleets: embossing or IML survives handling that destroys ink within months.
Serial traceability: laser-mark a unique QR/serial per unit — data-driven, no extra tooling, and it doubles as anti-counterfeiting.
Multi-language or certification graphics (warning panels, IP declarations): IML, because fine print is beyond pad printing resolution.
Color matching: custom resin color is a compounding batch decision, not a printing decision — minimum quantities apply and it must be locked at order time.

Spec tip: ask the supplier for the logo artwork requirements (vector file, PMS color refs) and a wear sample: rub the printed sample 50 times with a white cloth and IPA. If ink transfers, the process is wrong for the duty.

REF KB-BRD-012 · Published 2026-09-21 · Reviewed by the KeXin Materials engineering team · Sources: IEC 60529; ISO 6346; ATA 300; MIL-STD-810; Incoterms® 2020