If you have ever tried to source custom magnet printing in Singapore, you already know the problem: every supplier quotes a different price, the artwork specs are buried in PDFs nobody reads, and somewhere along the way you discover your “1.5mm fridge magnet” is actually a flimsy 0.6mm sticker that curls at the edges. This guide is the version we wish every buyer received on day one — straight answers on materials, pricing, MOQ, lead times, and the four mistakes that quietly delay 80% of magnet orders.
By the end of this article you will know exactly how to brief a printer, what file format to send, what to budget per piece, and how to spot a low-quality magnet before it ships to your warehouse.
What Counts as a “Custom Magnet” in Singapore?
In the local promotional gifting market, “custom magnet” usually refers to one of five formats. Each one looks similar in the photos but behaves very differently in production and on the fridge.
- Flat printed fridge magnet — the rectangular workhorse, usually 0.6mm to 1.0mm, full-colour CMYK printed on a vinyl face mounted to a flexible magnetic backing.
- Die-cut shape magnet — same construction as a flat magnet but cut to any silhouette: a house, a coffee cup, a logo, your mascot.
- Calendar magnet — flat magnet with a printed 12-month or quarterly calendar; the year-round office gift.
- Photo-frame magnet — die-cut window where the recipient inserts their own photo; popular at events.
- Epoxy dome magnet — 3D resin dome over a printed insert, premium tactile quality, more expensive per piece.
Material Choice: Vinyl, Paper-Faced, or Epoxy?
The face material is what your recipient touches and what determines whether the magnet still looks good in three years or curls into a sad scroll on the freezer door. There are three honest options.
Vinyl-faced magnet (the standard)
UV-printed white vinyl laminated onto flexible magnetic sheet. Water-resistant, scratch-resistant, lasts 5+ years on a Singapore fridge in air-conditioned indoor conditions. About 90% of orders we run are vinyl-faced. If your supplier does not specify vinyl on their quote, ask — the alternative is paper.
Paper-faced magnet (the cheap one)
Printed coated paper laminated to thinner magnetic sheet. About 30% cheaper but the moment a kitchen splash hits it the print bubbles and lifts. Acceptable for one-time event giveaways where the recipient might bin it after a week. Not acceptable for any branding play that depends on the magnet surviving on a fridge.
Epoxy dome magnet (the premium tier)
A clear polyurethane resin dome is poured over a printed paper or vinyl insert and cured. The dome magnifies and protects the artwork, and the magnet feels substantial in the hand. Costs 2 to 3 times more than vinyl per piece but the perceived value jumps dramatically. Ideal for VIP gifts, brand activations, and any campaign where you want the recipient to actually keep the magnet.
Quick rule of thumb
If recipient lifetime matters → vinyl. If budget matters more than longevity → paper. If perceived value matters more than budget → epoxy dome. We almost never recommend paper for corporate gifting because the cost saving (a few cents per piece) is dwarfed by the brand damage of a curling, flaking magnet on a client’s fridge.
Thickness: What the “mm” Number Really Means
Magnetic sheet is sold by thickness, measured in millimetres. Thicker is not always better — it is heavier, more expensive to ship, and only matters once you cross a usability threshold. Here is what each band actually delivers.
| Thickness | Hold strength | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| 0.4 mm | Weak — sheet of paper only | Direct mailers, postcard inserts |
| 0.6 mm | Light — 1 to 2 sheets | Promotional flyers, business card magnets |
| 0.8 mm | Standard — 5 sheets | Most fridge magnets — the sweet spot |
| 1.0 mm | Strong — 10 sheets | Calendar magnets, premium flat magnets |
| 1.5 mm | Very strong — 15+ sheets | Photo-frame magnets, heavy-duty signage |
For 90% of corporate gifting briefs, 0.8 mm vinyl-faced flat magnet is the right answer. It is the thickness recipients expect when they think “fridge magnet”, it survives daily handling, and it ships at a sensible weight.
Pricing & MOQ in Singapore (2026 Rates)
Magnet pricing is largely a function of three things: face material, surface area, and quantity. Set-up costs are low compared to acrylic or metal, which is why magnets remain one of the cheapest per-impression promotional formats.
Indicative pricing for 0.8 mm vinyl-faced flat magnet (90 × 55 mm)
- 500 pcs — about $1.20–$1.60 per piece
- 1,000 pcs — about $0.85–$1.10 per piece
- 2,500 pcs — about $0.55–$0.75 per piece
- 5,000 pcs — about $0.40–$0.55 per piece
- 10,000+ pcs — quoted per project, often below $0.35 per piece
Minimum order quantity (MOQ) is typically 500 pieces for flat printed magnets. Below that the unit price climbs sharply because the printing setup is fixed regardless of quantity. Some suppliers will accept 300 pieces for very simple single-shape designs, but you pay roughly 30% more per unit.
Lead time is 14 to 21 working days from artwork sign-off for flat magnets, and 21 to 28 working days for die-cut, calendar, or epoxy dome variants. Rush production at 10 working days is possible with a 15 to 20% surcharge.
Artwork Specs: What Your Designer Needs to Know
Most production delays we see are not factory delays — they are artwork delays. Send the file in the right format from day one and you skip three rounds of back-and-forth.
- File format: Adobe Illustrator (.ai), EPS, or PDF with editable vector. JPG and PNG are accepted only when the design is photo-based.
- Colour mode: CMYK, not RGB. RGB looks brighter on screen but shifts when converted at the printer.
- Resolution (for any raster element): 300 DPI at actual print size.
- Bleed: 2 mm on all sides past the trim line. Anything important should sit at least 3 mm inside the trim.
- Cut line: For die-cut magnets, supply a separate spot-colour vector path on its own layer named “CutLine”. The factory uses this to program the cutting plotter.
- Fonts: Outline all text before sending. Do not assume the printer has your typeface.
The Four Mistakes That Delay 80% of Magnet Orders
1. Sending an RGB JPG and expecting Pantone-accurate results
CMYK conversion will shift bright blues to purple and saturated reds toward orange. If your brand colour is critical, send the Pantone reference and request a digital proof you sign off in writing.
2. Forgetting the bleed
A magnet with text or your logo running right to the edge will get a thin white border after cutting. The fix is 2 mm of bleed past the trim line and a 3 mm safe zone for anything you actually want visible.
3. Approving the proof on a phone screen
Mobile screens hide spelling errors and tiny artwork glitches. Always review the digital proof at 100% zoom on a desktop monitor. We have shipped 1,000 magnets with a missing letter because someone signed off on a phone in a taxi.
4. Ordering paper-faced for fridge use
The cheapest line item on the quote becomes the most expensive lesson three months later when client photos show curling magnets. Always confirm “vinyl-faced” in writing on the purchase order.
Ready to brief your project?
Now that you know the materials, thickness, pricing, and artwork specs, the next step is choosing the right format for your campaign. Our pillar page on custom magnet printing in Singapore walks you through every variant we offer with photos and live pricing tiers.
If your campaign is fridge-focused for end consumers, read our deeper buyer guide on custom fridge magnets — sizes, thickness and pricing. If you want shaped magnets that turn heads, see our die-cut custom shape magnets guide. And if your buyer is a property agent or restaurant owner, the highest-ROI format is the custom calendar magnet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order for custom magnet printing in Singapore?
Standard MOQ is 500 pieces for flat printed magnets. Some suppliers accept 300 pieces for simple single-shape designs at a 30% per-unit premium.
How long does production take?
14 to 21 working days for flat magnets, 21 to 28 for die-cut, calendar, or epoxy dome. Rush at 10 working days carries a 15 to 20% surcharge.
Will the print fade in tropical humidity?
Vinyl-faced UV-printed magnets are stable for 5+ years in air-conditioned indoor conditions. Paper-faced magnets curl within months in a humid kitchen.
Can I get my logo Pantone-matched?
Yes — supply the Pantone code in the artwork brief and request a calibrated digital proof. Expect 3 to 5% colour variance because magnet printing is CMYK process, not spot Pantone.
What is the most cost-effective magnet for mass distribution?
A 0.8 mm vinyl-faced rectangular flat magnet at 5,000+ pieces. Price drops below $0.55 per piece and quality stays high enough to live on the fridge for years.
