You may wonder what is the difference between clothes printing and screen printing. Basically, clothes printing involves creating a design in digital software, then printing it onto a piece of white transfer paper. Then, using a plotter, you cut out the design from the paper following the outline created by the software. You then place the print-out on a suitable spot on a garment. It is then heat-treated to adhere to the fabric.
This process is known as screen printing, and is the most common method for printing clothes. Shirt printing involves applying a design to the t-shirt using a screen. Screen printing uses a stencil, which is a special piece of paper that has openings that allow ink to flow through. Using a mesh screen makes the printing process faster, because it makes swapping out the fabric and paper easier. There are several different kinds of screen-printing machines available. Some are manual, some are semi-automatic, and others are completely automated.
Clothing printing involves the use of specialist inks that can create different effects. For example, glittery or texturised inks can give a garment a sparkly look or feel. Depending on the style and design, puffy inks can create a raised surface. Clothing printers consider the fabric before choosing the right inks. If the clothing is meant to be machine-washed, the inks used will be washable and suitable for dry cleaning. If the item is to be kept in a wardrobe, heat-treated inks will ensure that the print will last a long time.