COS creates custom branded diaries by applying your organisation’s logo and branding to the cover of a standard diary using one of three methods: Emboss or Deboss, Gold or Silver Foil Stamp, or Pad Print. Custom diary orders are managed by the COS Print and Promo team and require a minimum order quantity of 50 units. To place an order, contact the Print and Promo team at printandpromo@cos.net.au or call 1300 88 22 44. For pre-Christmas delivery, orders must be placed by 10 October 2026.
A custom branded diary puts your organisation’s identity in the hands of your team and clients every day of the year. Whether you are producing them as corporate gifts, staff stationery, or conference giveaways, a diary carrying your logo, brand colours, and visual identity is a practical and consistently visible brand touchpoint.
COS offers custom branded diaries through its Print and Promo team, using standard diary formats from the COS range as the base product and applying your branding using professional finishing methods. This article covers the three branding methods available, how the ordering process works, key deadlines and minimums, and what to expect at each stage.
The Three Branding Methods for Custom Diaries
COS applies branding to the cover of a standard diary using three professional finishing methods. Each produces a different visual and tactile result. The right choice depends on your brand style, the diary cover material, and the impression you want the finished product to make.
Emboss or Deboss
Embossing and debossing create a three-dimensional effect by pressing your logo or design into the diary cover material, either raising it above the surface (emboss) or pressing it below the surface (deboss). The result is a clean, tactile finish with no ink or foil involved.
Emboss and deboss work best on soft cover diaries in leather, leatherette, or similar materials where the cover has enough give for the impression to hold clearly. The effect is subtle and premium in appearance, which makes it a strong choice for executive gifts, client presents, or high-end corporate stationery.
Because no colour is added, embossing and debossing work equally well for any brand and do not require colour matching. Logos with clean lines and defined shapes reproduce most clearly using this method. Very fine detail or small text may not press as crisply as with print-based methods.
Best for: Premium or executive diaries with soft or leather-style covers; brands that prefer a tactile, no-ink finish; logos with clear, defined shapes.
Gold or Silver Foil Stamp
Foil stamping applies a metallic foil layer to the diary cover using heat and pressure, producing a bright, reflective finish in gold or silver. The foil is transferred precisely to the shape of your logo or text, creating a high-contrast effect that stands out immediately against most cover colours and materials.
Foil stamping is one of the most visually impactful branding methods available for diary covers. It works particularly well on dark cover materials where metallic gold or silver creates strong contrast. It is a popular choice for end-of-year gifts, client presentations, and any context where the diary is intended to make a lasting first impression.
Gold and silver are the two foil options. Gold foil suits warmer brand palettes and creates a classic, prestigious look. Silver foil suits cooler or more contemporary brand styles. Both are available on standard diary cover materials across the COS range.
Best for: Corporate gifts, client presents, and end-of-year stationery; dark or rich cover colours where metallic foil creates strong contrast; brands with a premium or prestigious positioning.
Pad Print
Pad printing transfers ink from a silicone pad directly onto the diary cover surface, reproducing your logo in one or more specified colours. It is a versatile and cost-effective method that works on a wide range of cover materials and surfaces, including textured or curved covers where other methods may not be suitable.
Pad printing allows for colour reproduction, which makes it the right choice when your brand identity depends on a specific logo colour that embossing or foil stamping cannot achieve. It is well-suited to logos with defined colour elements, wordmarks, or designs that need to be reproduced in brand-matched colours rather than metallic or textured finishes.
Pad printing is generally the most accessible of the three methods for colour-forward brands and works across a broad range of diary cover types in the COS range. It is also suitable for smaller or more detailed logo elements that benefit from ink-based reproduction.
Best for: Logos that require specific brand colours; diaries with a wide range of cover materials; designs with fine detail or colour-dependent elements; organisations with colour-forward visual identities.
Which Branding Method Is Right for Your Organisation?
If you are unsure which method suits your brand and intended diary, the COS Print and Promo team can advise based on your logo file, preferred diary, and how the finished product will be used. As a general guide:
- Choose Emboss or Deboss if you want a tactile, premium finish with no ink or foil, particularly on soft leather-style covers.
- Choose Gold or Silver Foil Stamp if you want a high-impact metallic finish and your brand suits gold or silver as the branding colour.
- Choose Pad Print if your logo requires specific brand colours or if you need a versatile method that works across different cover types.
All three methods are applied to the front cover of a standard diary from the COS range. The COS Print and Promo team will confirm which methods are available for the specific diary you have selected.
How to Order a Custom Branded Diary With COS
Custom branded diary orders are managed entirely by the COS Print and Promo team, not through the standard cos.net.au online checkout. Here is the process from initial enquiry to delivery.
Contact the Print and Promo team
Get in touch with the COS Print and Promo team to discuss your requirements. Email printandpromo@cos.net.au or call 1300 88 22 44 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 8pm AEST). Have your preferred diary style, approximate quantity, desired branding method, and intended delivery date ready to share.
Discuss your requirements and receive a quote
The Print and Promo team will discuss your diary format options, confirm which branding methods are available for your chosen diary, and provide a quote based on your quantity, method, and any design requirements. Minimum order quantity is 50 units.
Submit your logo and artwork
Provide your logo file in the format requested by the Print and Promo team. For emboss or deboss, a clean vector file works best. For foil stamp and pad print, confirm your brand colours and any specifications. The team will prepare a proof for your approval before production begins.
Review and approve the proof
Review the digital proof carefully before approving, checking logo placement, sizing, and any text elements. Once you approve the proof, production will commence and changes cannot be made. Custom branded diary orders are non-cancellable and non-returnable once production has started.
Production and delivery
After proof approval, the Print and Promo team will confirm the production timeline and delivery date. For pre-Christmas delivery, your order must be placed and approved by 10 October 2026. Delivery is to your nominated address.
Order early: Custom branded diary orders require production time in addition to standard delivery. The Print and Promo team recommends contacting them as early as possible, particularly for large quantities or end-of-year orders. The cut-off for pre-Christmas delivery is 10 October 2026.
Key Details at a Glance
- Branding methods available: Emboss or Deboss, Gold or Silver Foil Stamp, Pad Print
- Minimum order quantity: 50 units
- Pre-Christmas delivery cut-off: 10 October 2026
- How to order: Contact the Print and Promo team only (not available through the standard online checkout)
- Email: printandpromo@cos.net.au
- Phone: 1300 88 22 44 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 8pm AEST)
- Returns: Custom branded diary orders are non-returnable once production has commenced
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the various branding methods for creating a custom branded diary?
COS offers three branding methods for custom diaries, all applied to the front cover of a standard diary from the COS range. Emboss or Deboss creates a tactile, three-dimensional impression of your logo with no ink or foil, best suited to soft leather-style covers and premium presentations. Gold or Silver Foil Stamp applies a metallic foil in gold or silver using heat and pressure, producing a high-impact reflective finish that works especially well on darker cover colours. Pad Print transfers ink in your specified brand colours directly onto the cover surface, making it the right choice when colour reproduction is important. The COS Print and Promo team can advise which method is most suitable for your logo and chosen diary.
What is the minimum order quantity for a custom branded diary?
The minimum order quantity for custom branded diaries through COS is 50 units. This applies across all three branding methods. If your requirement is fewer than 50 units, contact the Print and Promo team at printandpromo@cos.net.au to discuss options.
When is the cut-off date for ordering custom diaries for Christmas delivery?
Orders must be placed and approved by 10 October 2026 to guarantee pre-Christmas delivery. This cut-off accounts for production time in addition to delivery. The COS Print and Promo team recommends contacting them as early as possible for end-of-year orders, particularly for larger quantities, as production slots fill in advance of the cut-off date.
Can I see a proof before my custom diary order goes into production?
Yes. Before production begins, the COS Print and Promo team will prepare a digital proof showing the branding placement, size, and method applied to your chosen diary. You must review and approve the proof before the order proceeds. Once you approve the proof and production commences, changes cannot be made and the order is non-cancellable and non-returnable.
Can I order custom branded diaries online through the COS website?
No. Custom branded diary orders are not placed through the standard cos.net.au online checkout. They are managed directly by the COS Print and Promo team. Contact the team at printandpromo@cos.net.au or call 1300 88 22 44 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 8pm AEST) to begin your order.
What file format do I need to provide for my logo?
The COS Print and Promo team will confirm the required file format when you make contact, as specifications can vary depending on the branding method selected. As a general guide, vector files (such as .ai, .eps, or .pdf with outlined fonts) are preferred for emboss, deboss, and foil stamp methods, as they reproduce your logo crisply at any size. For pad print, confirm your brand colour specifications (Pantone references where possible) so the team can match your logo colours accurately.
Contact the COS Print and Promo team to discuss your requirements, get a quote, and book your production slot. Email printandpromo@cos.net.au or call 1300 88 22 44, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 8pm AEST.
