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Follow Print Methods

This article explains some of the print methods Printfection has to offer in detail, including some best practices and general production times. 

Screen Printing

Definition: The process of dragging ink over a screen to create a design.

  • The customer's artwork is burned onto a very fine fabric screen. The non-printing areas are blocked off with the screen serving as a stencil. The ink is wiped across the screen to pass through the unblocked pores and reach the fabric. For each ink color being printed, a separate screen is prepared and the process is repeated
  • PMS Matching is guaranteed
  • This method is commonly used on t-shirts and hoodies
  • Maximum Print Sizes
    • Standard Print: 12"W X 12" H
    • Oversized Print: 15"W x 17" H
    • Hoodies: 15" W x 10" H
    • Youth Garments: 10"W x 12" H
    • Sleeves: 3.25"W x 17" H
  • 12 color maximum per print including underlay

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Screenprint.jpg

Embroidery

Definition: Embroidery is the process of decorating fabric with a needle and thread.

  • PMS matching is not possible, but will match the thread as close it can be
  • Commonly used on polos, hats, jackets and bags

Best Practices:

  • Minimize text
  • Text size: aim for a minimum size of 0.25" H
  • Fewer colors improve the sew quality
  • Maximize standardization
  • Should avoid very thin materials, foam liners and sewing over a seam
  • Cuffs and small pockets can limit access to an area to embroider 

Standard Production Time: 15 business days

Embroidery.jpg

Deboss

Definition: Artwork is depressed (debossed) onto the material surface utilizing heat or pressure to "dent" the design into the material.

  • Commonly used on journals, luggage tags, and leather items

Best Practices:

  • Avoid fine lines

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Deboss.jpg

Laser Engraving/Etching

Definition: A laser is used to burn an image into the material.

  • For items with color, it removes a product's outer color layer to reveal the metal underneath
  • It burns the logo into a material, creating a darker, slightly indented logo
  • Commonly used on wood items, drinkware and technology
  • Typically a dishwasher-safe decoration method for drinkware

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Laser_Engrave.jpg

Digital Print

Definition: Uses four basic print colors- cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) in fine, half-tone dots.

  • This method involves printing overlapping colors of various dot size that optically mix and create thousands of hues
  • Also referred to as Digital, DigiPrint, Spectrum Print, vidiv Print, full-color, 4CP, LogoMagic, ColorBite, PhotoGrafixx
  • PMS Matching not guaranteed

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Digital_Print.jpg

Dye Sublimation

Definition: CMYK pigment films and heat-to-transfer dyes are used to print the design onto woven fabrics, creating full-color, highly custom designs that can take up the entire surface of the woven item instead of just one small decoration area.

  • The design is printed onto sublimation transfer paper using sublimation ink, then applied to the woven material with high temperature and pressure, turning the ink/paper into a gas state where they permeate into the material.  Once it cools, the inks are turned back to a solid and are locked permanently into the fabric
  • PMS matching is not guaranteed
  • Commonly used on microfiber cloths, but can be used on apparel, bags, drinkware etc. (depending on the supplier)

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Dye_Sublimation.jpg

Heat Transfer

Definition: Artwork is printed in reverse on a release paper, then placed against the desired product and subjected to high temperature and pressure.  When the item has cooled, the release paper is peeled away to reveal the image.

  • PMS matching is usually guaranteed
  • Commonly used on bags and other textile items

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Heat_Transfer.jpg

Pad Printing

Definition: Much like a simple stamp, a pad in the shape of the customer's design is dipped in ink and then pressed onto an object to create a clean and firm design.

  • PMS matching is usually guaranteed
  • Used on irregularly shaped items that do not have a flat surface, such as stress balls and curved items

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Hot Stamp/Foil Stamp

Definition: Pre-dried inks or colored foils are transferred onto materials at high temperatures.

  • PMS matching is not always guaranteed as its dependent on the supplier's stock of foil and ink colors.
  • Commonly used on journals

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Digital_Print_.jpg

Silk Screen

Definition: Very similar to screen printing, except this is used primarily on hard good items.

  • PMS matching is guaranteed

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Epoxy Dome

Definition: Doming involves applying a liquid that is guided onto the digital design, where it is then left to harden and cure to create a clear-dome effect.

  • The clear polyurethane substance is resistant to wear and scratches
  • Typically allows for full-color logos at no additional charge
  • PMS matching is not guaranteed

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Epoxy_Dome.jpg

Imprint

Definition: The application of ink via screens or silicone pads onto a material.

  • One of the more common "catch all" names for basic product decoration when the vendor doesn't specify anything more precise (can be an alternate name for silkscreen, transfer, pad-print etc)
  • PMS matching usually guaranteed
  • Commonly used on journals, drinkware, pens, tech items

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Offset

Definition: Digital files are broken down into their color separations- cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) and burned onto metal plates.  The plates are loaded onto rollers where the ink is added and the design is printed onto a rubber plate.  The paper then passes over the rubber plate, transferring the design onto the paper.

  • PMS matching is not guaranteed
  • Commonly used for paper printed at larger quantities (digital printing is used for smaller quantities)

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Offset.jpg

DTG (Direct to Garment)

Definition: DTG is a process of printing graphics onto textiles and garments.  It uses modified inkjet technology to print graphics onto textiles-- like a giant inkjet printer, but for shirts.

  • PMS matching is not guaranteed

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Emboss

Definition: The artwork is pressed (embossed) onto the material surface utilizing heat or pressure from the backside/underneath to "raise" the design on the material.

Best Practices:

  • Avoid fine lines

Standard Production Time: 10 business days

Emboss.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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