Table of Contents
- 4 methods to print a logo on plastic pallets and crates
- Which plastics can be printed? Position and size
- Why print a logo on your pallets and crates
- Minimum order and ordering process
- Common mistakes when ordering plastic printing
- ICD Vietnam service commitments
- Frequently asked questions
- Contact for pallet and crate logo printing
- Learn more about Plastic Pallets
- How long does custom logo printing actually last on plastic - and why it depends on the base material
Reviewed and updated by ICD - Week 32/2026
Custom logo printing on plastic pallets and plastic crates is the service of marking your company name, logo or asset code directly onto PP/HDPE plastic products. ICD Vietnam offers four main methods (screen printing, hot stamping, in-mold labelling and laser engraving), printing 1-4 colours with flexible minimum quantities - used for loss prevention, brand identity and managing returnable (pooled) pallets.
4 methods to print a logo on plastic pallets and crates
Each method differs in durability, number of colours, cost and minimum order. Use the table below to pick the right one:
| Method | How it works | Durability | Colours | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen printing | Ink for plastics pushed through a mesh stencil onto the surface | High, adheres well to PP/HDPE | 1-4 colours | Large volume, flat logo, lowest cost |
| Hot stamping | Heat and a die transfer the image onto the surface | High, works on curved surfaces | 1 colour (often gold/silver foil) | Sharp marks on uneven surfaces |
| In-mold labelling | Label placed in the mold during injection; logo becomes part of the product | Highest, scratch-proof, never peels | Full colour | New production runs, premium finish |
| Laser engraving / embossing | Laser or die creates a recessed/raised mark, no ink | Permanent, never fades | Single tone (pallet colour) | Anti-counterfeit, asset coding |
Which plastics can be printed? Position and size
ICD pallets and crates are made from virgin PP and HDPE - both accept plastic-specific inks. ICD designs the artwork so the logo fits the flat printing area:
- Plastic pallets: printed on the deck or side wall, logo size typically 15-30 cm for visibility across a warehouse.
- Crates and bins: printed on the side or base, with a management code/QR for traceability.
- Colours: one colour is most economical; multi-colour logos suit multi-pass screen printing or in-mold.
Why print a logo on your pallets and crates
- Loss prevention: branded pallets/crates are harder to lose or mix up between outsourced parties or multi-site deliveries.
- Returnable pallet (pooling) control: logo + code make pallets easy to count, reconcile and recover in a factory-warehouse-customer loop.
- Brand identity: goods on branded pallets look professional at handover points, trade fairs and retail.
- Internal traceability: print batch, location codes or QR for stocktaking and 5S.
Minimum order and ordering process
ICD prints both small and large orders; screen printing and laser engraving have low minimums, while in-mold requires a production batch. The process takes four steps:
- Step 1: send the logo file (AI, PDF, transparent PNG) with the position and colour count you want.
- Step 2: ICD designs the artwork and sends a mock-up of the print position for approval.
- Step 3: a printed sample is produced for you to check before the full run.
- Step 4: production, quality check and delivery by ICD’s own truck fleet.
Note: supply the logo as a vector (AI/EPS) or high-resolution transparent PNG for a crisp print; avoid blurry photos.
Common mistakes when ordering plastic printing
- Screen printing on curved surfaces: ink can skew; use hot stamping or pad printing instead.
- Multi-colour logo at a one-colour budget: merge colours or switch to in-mold.
- Skipping the sample: always approve a sample to avoid wrong position/size across the batch.
- Printing on dirty recycled surfaces: poor adhesion; ICD prints on clean virgin plastic for lasting colour.
ICD Vietnam service commitments
- Plastic-specific inks for PP/HDPE - durable, no smearing.
- Nationwide delivery from two offices: Hanoi (North) and HCMC (South & Central).
- Flexible payment, up to 30-day credit; export/import declarations for EPE companies (0% VAT invoice, DAP/DDP terms).
- Inspect samples first, free return on delivery.
- Buy-back of good or damaged pallets when you no longer need them.
Frequently asked questions
1. Does a printed logo on plastic pallets fade?
No, if a plastic-specific ink is used on a clean virgin surface. For a permanent mark, choose laser engraving or in-mold labelling.
2. What is the minimum order for logo printing?
Screen printing and laser engraving accept small orders; in-mold needs a production batch. Contact ICD for the minimum by method.
3. How many colours can be printed?
Screen printing handles 1-4 colours; hot stamping and laser are usually single-tone; in-mold gives the sharpest full colour.
4. What logo file format do you need?
A vector (AI, EPS, PDF) or high-resolution transparent PNG works best for a sharp print.
5. How is the printing cost calculated?
It depends on method, number of colours, logo size and quantity. Contact us for an exact quote.
Contact for pallet and crate logo printing
ICD Vietnam Industrial Manufacturing Co., Ltd
North: 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
South: 098 6784 186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn
Zalo: Chat on Zalo
Learn more about Plastic Pallets
| ›HDPE plastic pallets: pros, cons, applications | ›How much does a plastic pallet weigh? |
| ›Pallet pooling: CHEP and Loscam model |
How long does custom logo printing actually last on plastic - and why it depends on the base material
Two printing methods dominate custom logo work on plastic pallets and bins: hot stamping and pad printing. Hot stamping uses heat and pressure to transfer metallic or pigment foil directly into the surface, bonding at a depth of roughly 0.05-0.1 mm. Independent wear tests show hot-stamped marks on HDPE retain legibility after 500+ pallet cycles in a standard warehouse environment. Pad printing deposits ink on top of the surface rather than into it, which gives sharper multi-colour detail but typically begins fading after 200-300 handling cycles unless a UV-cured topcoat is applied. For identification marks that must survive years of forklift handling and outdoor storage, hot stamping on plastic pallets is the more durable choice.
Surface chemistry matters as much as the printing method. HDPE (high-density polyethylene), the resin used in most heavy-duty pallets at ICD Vietnam, has a relatively low surface energy of around 31-32 mN/m. That low energy means ink adhesion requires either corona pre-treatment or the heat-bond mechanism of hot stamping - untreated HDPE will cause pad-printed ink to peel within months in humid or high-UV conditions. PP (polypropylene) bins and crates sit slightly higher at 29-30 mN/m and behave similarly. Both respond well to hot stamping without pre-treatment. If your specification calls for pad printing on either material, confirm with the supplier that the surface has been corona-treated immediately before printing - the treatment effect decays within 48-72 hours, so pre-treating in bulk and printing later gives poor adhesion regardless of ink quality.
