The clothing printing industry uses different processes to produce personalised garments. There are four main methods available to choose from: screen printing, direct to garment printing, dye sublimation and thermal transfer printing. Each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Screen printing is one of the most popular fabric printing techniques in the world. It is a photographic process, which involves several independent steps. This method is cost effective. But it can be laborious and time consuming.
Direct to garment digital printing is another way to print designs directly onto garments. This technique utilizes modern inkjet technology and a specially formulated water-based garment ink. It’s easy to use, produces high-quality prints and is ideal for short runs.
Heat transfer is also a good option for smaller, low-volume orders. However, it requires a learning curve and is expensive.
Sublimation is a similar process to dye-diffusion, except the ink absorbs into the fibers of the garment, rather than leaving a print. It works best on 100% polyester. These inks can run into the range of $500 to $600, and are not suitable for cotton t-shirts.
Stamp printing is an interesting way to create a custom fabric print. Stamps can be printed with any material, but they require a lot of repetition.
Other processes include dye-diffusion, printing with resist, and embroidery. They all produce different results. Inks are used, depending on the pattern desired.
Printed clothing is an attractive and versatile option for a variety of uses. Whether you’re looking for a work shirt, a formal t-shirt, a team t-shirt for a sporting event, or even a personalized gift for an employee, you can find the perfect solution at a professional clothing printing company.