Three types of custom bands
We produce three band types depending on the visual effect you want, the cigar wrapper color, and the event tone. All three use the same print area and apply the same way. The difference is in the finish and material.
Full-color
Standard digital print on premium adhesive paper. Supports unlimited colors, gradients, photographs, and complex artwork. Sharpest text reproduction. Best for designs with many colors or photographic elements.
Best for: Weddings with watercolor florals, photo bands, multi-color logos.
Included with every order
Foil
Metallic foil stamp on matte or textured paper stock. Available in gold, silver, copper, and rose gold. Creates a tactile raised surface that catches light. Single-color foil or foil combined with a single ink color.
Best for: Corporate gifts, premium presentation, minimal text-forward designs.
Included with every order
Embossed
Blind emboss (no ink) or foil-embossed on heavyweight card stock. Creates a three-dimensional texture you can feel with your fingers. The most premium finish available. Works best with simple monograms and logos.
Best for: Executive gifts, VIP sets, luxury presentation where tactile quality matters.
Add $2 per cigar for orders under 100
What goes on a band
A cigar band is 2.25 inches wide. That is not a lot of space. The best bands include three elements or fewer. More than three elements creates visual clutter that does not read at arm's length. Here are the five most common elements and how to combine them.
Names
Jessica & Michael, The Kellermans, J+MMost common element. First names only works best because full names often run too long for the print area.
Date
June 14, 2026 | 06.14.26 | Est. 2026Numeric formats save space. Spelled-out months add elegance but consume 30 percent more width.
Monogram
Interlocking initials, single letter with wreathThe most visually compact option. Pairs well with foil bands. Works on every wrapper color.
Logo
Company logo, wedding logo, custom illustrationRequires vector or 300 DPI raster. Single-color logos print cleanly on any wrapper. Multi-color logos read best on lighter Connecticut wrappers.
Tagline
'Crafted for our celebration' | 'For our valued partners'Keep to 5 words maximum. Taglines longer than 5 words get too small to read.
File format requirements
Band dimensions by ring gauge
Band dimensions depend on the cigar's ring gauge. Ring gauge measures the cigar's diameter in 64ths of an inch. A larger ring gauge means a longer band wrap and more surface area for your design.
| Ring gauge | Shape example | Band height | Band wrap length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | Pyramid, Corona | 0.75 inch | 2.25 inches |
| 50 | Robusto, Box-Pressed | 0.75 inch | 2.50 inches |
| 52 | Toro | 0.80 inch | 2.60 inches |
| 54 | Robusto Extra | 0.80 inch | 2.70 inches |
| 60 | Gordo | 0.85 inch | 3.00 inches |
The design-visible area is the front face of the band, which is roughly 40 to 50 percent of the total wrap length. The remaining wrap tucks behind the cigar. Place your primary design elements within this front window.
The design process
- 1
Submit your brief
Send us names, dates, logos, or artwork along with the cigar you selected. We accept files via email at info@designmycigar.com or through the contact form.
- 2
First proof (3 business days)
We design the band and send a full-color digital proof showing how it looks on the cigar wrapper. You see the band flat and wrapped on a cigar mockup.
- 3
Revisions (up to 3 rounds)
Request changes to layout, color, typography, or sizing. Most clients approve on round 2. Each revision takes 1 to 2 business days.
- 4
Final approval and production
You sign off on the final design and pay the 50 percent deposit. We print the bands and begin hand-application.
- 5
Hand-banding and quality check
Each band is applied by hand using acid-free archival adhesive. Every cigar is inspected for band alignment, wrapper integrity, and consistent fill before packaging.
Common mistakes to avoid
Too many elements on the band
Names, date, monogram, tagline, logo, venue illustration, and a QR code on a 2.25 inch surface produces a blur. Limit to 3 elements. If you cannot choose, run two designs and let us recommend.
Low-resolution logo files
A JPG pulled from your website is almost never print-ready. Ask your graphic designer for the original AI, EPS, or high-resolution PNG. If you do not have a vector file, budget $75 to $150 for professional vectorization.
Using RGB color mode
RGB files must be converted to CMYK for print, which shifts colors — especially blues and greens. Send CMYK files from the start, or provide a Pantone reference so we can match exactly.
Ignoring the wrapper color
A dark brown band on a dark Maduro wrapper creates no contrast. Light text on dark wrappers and dark text on light Connecticut wrappers. Foil bands work on both because metallic surfaces always catch light.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a custom cigar band cost?
Custom band design is included at no extra cost with every cigar order. There is no separate design fee, no per-color upcharge, and no additional charge for individual name personalization. The cigar price listed on our shop pages includes the band.
What file format should I send for my custom band design?
Vector files are preferred: AI, EPS, or PDF. For raster images, send PNG or TIFF at 300 DPI minimum in CMYK color mode. If you only have a low-resolution file, we can vectorize simple logos for $75 to $150. See the file specs section above for full details.
How many revision rounds are included?
Up to 3 rounds of revisions at no extra cost. Most clients approve on the second round. Additional rounds beyond 3 are $25 each, though we rarely need them.
Can I see a physical band sample before committing?
Yes, for orders over 100 cigars. We print a single band and mail it to you before starting full production. For smaller orders, we provide a high-resolution digital mockup on a cigar photo so you can see how the band looks wrapped around the actual cigar shape.
What is the difference between hand-banded and machine-banded?
Machine-banded cigars use a rotary applicator that rolls pre-printed bands around cigars. It is fast but produces visible glue seams, misaligned graphics, and a 4 to 7 percent reject rate. Hand-banding uses acid-free archival adhesive applied manually, centering the band on the wrapper seam. Our reject rate is under 1 percent and every band is perfectly aligned.
Ready to design your band? Send your files and preferences to info@designmycigar.com. For detailed band specs and cigar terminology, see the full band design guide.