What are the Common Printing methods for custom shirt printing?
Here you can read more about common printing methods that we use for custom t shirt printing in Dallas to label products in our range.
Screen printing
Screen printing is a printing method that was invented over 2000 years ago in China and has developed incredibly over the years, from being a manual process to now also being done automatically with the help of machines. The method involves printing color through a thin silk or polyester fabric, called canvas, which is stretched over a wooden or metal frame. The paint pushes through the canvas with a squeegee, a tool that resembles a rubber squeegee. The canvas is available with different densities and thus allows different amounts of color to pass through.
For the motif to be printed, a stencil is made on plastic, the stencil covers the motif on the canvas that should not allow color to pass through to the substrate. Depending on the accuracy of the stencils and the density of the canvas, detailed images can be created.
With screen printing, you can only print one color at a time, but by printing different layers with different colors, the finished image can even consist of many different colors. Our spinners can handle up to 8 different colors.
Tampon pressure
Or, as most people say, Tampotryck, involves the creation of a cliché, where a silicone pad picks up the color and transfers it to the product where it is to be applied. The tampon is available in a variety of hardnesses and shapes and is adapted to the product to be printed. It is possible to print very thin lines and very small texts. You can also press on uneven surfaces and near edges.
Pad printing is often recommended for products that are concave or convex such as cylinders, sunken surfaces and so on.
Simply described, it can be compared to the old classic potato print that most of us did in preschool or school.
Embroidery
Embroidery is used on textile products where you want a more exclusive look on your end product. Embroidery is a durable and exclusive method of labeling your garments. When using embroidery, it is important that there is room for the embroidery frame to access, and that the clothes are suitable for embroidery, which the vast majority of our garments are. Embroidery is suitable for both small and large quantities. When embroidering, you need to produce an embroidery card, which can be compared to a start-up cost. In the case of repeat orders for embroidery with us, only a set-up cost is charged for the existing embroidery card.
Transfer printing
When you transfer print, you first print a transfer carrier, which is then applied in a transfer press and heated on the substrate under high pressure and heat. Transfers are often used on difficult-to-print garments where screen printing is not possible. Transfer printing is often cheaper when you want to print a few more colors.
Digital printing
Digital printing is a printing technique for motifs with many colors and motifs with grids/shadows in the motif, there are no restrictions on the number of colors. Digital printing can sometimes also be called photo printing. Unlike conventional printing methods, the information is transferred in a completely digital process directly from the data medium, which also makes Digital Printing a fast method of printing. The printing technology is used for advanced printing that requires digital quality. Good stretch and image quality. Low initial costs despite unlimited colors in the print.
Laser engraving
Laser engraving is done on metal, eg steel or aluminium. The laser engraving gives an exclusive impression and is very wear-resistant. The color of the engraving depends on the material to be engraved. It is also possible to laser engrave on wood and glass. On glass, the result looks like a “blasted” surface.