If you’re thinking about getting a shirt printed, it’s important to know the different printing methods available. These methods determine what kind of quality you can expect from the final product and how much your print will cost.
Screen printing is a traditional method where ink is pushed through a woven mesh stencil onto fabric. Each colour requires its own separate screen, so the process is best suited to simple designs with few colours. The printed ink is then pressed onto the garment using a squeegee. Once the squeegee is lifted, the emulsion on the screen is removed and the stencil can be reused to create another design. Screen printing is a great option for producing multiple items of the same design, so you can easily scale your business.
XAMAX’s professional printers use specialist inks such as glittery, texturised or puff inks to give the final prints a unique look and feel. These inks are machine washable and will last a long time if you follow the care instructions.
The downside of screen printing is the amount of waste that’s produced – but if you choose a reputable and sustainable printer, they will minimise this as much as possible. Screen printing also has a limited colour palette, so it’s important to work closely with your chosen company.
Direct-to-garment, or DTG, is a newer printing technique that sprays ink directly onto the garment. This is a bit like paper printing, but with fabric. DTG allows for highly-customizable designs with many colours and fine detail, so it’s a good choice if you want to print complex or colourful images. Before printing, all garments should be pre-treated with a special liquid to ensure the ink binds properly.