Clothes printing is a great way to add branding, company names, logos and slogans to any clothing. It can also be used for making one of a kind custom designs and is an economical way to make professional looking clothing. There are several different types of clothes printing techniques including screen printing, digital, and direct to garment (DTG) prints.
Screen printing is a print technique that uses either a hand operation or an automatic machine process. The fabric is placed on a printing table and gummed in place or pinned to a back gray (typically a piece of cotton cloth). A screen made of silk or nylon gauze stretched over a wooden or metal frame is then applied to the fabric, allowing for the application of a design for one colour at a time. A print is then produced by applying a colour paste using a brush or screen, which is then dried and washed, before being repeated for subsequent colours.
Digital or DTG printing is a newer and faster method of printing that sprays ink onto the garment, similar to how inkjet printers work on paper. It can produce full-color photographic prints and offers a huge color mixing potential, so it’s well suited for designs that may not be suitable for other printing methods, such as screen printing or heat transfer vinyl (HTV).
After the final product has been printed, it is passed through a dryer to cure/set the ink. This is a critical step to ensure the inks stay on the fabric and don’t fade or peel off. The process of curing varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so be sure to read the instructions on your ink containers. Once the ink is cured, the shirt or product is then quality checked and washed.