Types of printing
We can advise you on the best solution to meet your needs.
Screenprinting
Widely used for garment decoration from small to large runs depending on requirements. Great for most garment types.
There are four elements of the cost: artwork, film, screens and printing. The film and screen cost depends on the size of your artwork (format it is supplied in) and the amount of colours in your print.
We output your finalised artwork to film so we can develop the screens for print which then go on the press for printing.
A screen is require for each colour in your artwork or logo. One colour prints being the more cost effective.
Screenprint Transfers
Ideal for items that cannot be screen-printed directly, but still require bonded ink. Suitable for clothing with multiple fabric layers such as jackets, sport bags and some headwear.
Similar setup procedure as above screen print option but artwork is setup on screen in reverse. This is artwork is then printed onto a clear transfer sheet and adhesive crystals are applied and flash cured. These transfer are then ready to be heat pressed on to the product.
Digital Transfers
Suitable for a small number of garments, where multicolour screen printing would be expensive to setup. Also useful when fine-detail prints are required on garments/promo products (if they cannot be directly screen-printed).
The artwork is printed on to a vinyl media using a digital print and cut machine. Artwork and logos can be cut to the outer edge of text and logo. Once printed in sheets, application tape is applied and individual transfers are cut out for heat pressing.
Vinyl Transfers
This vinyl media comes in a range of colours. Great for team names and numbers for sportswear etc.
Rolls of media are cut using a plotter cutter to the shape, size of the text or numbers required. Finally being heat pressed onto the garment or product.
Simulation Printing (Kit Builder)
Sublimation is a process by which sublimation dyes are printed onto a transfer medium with an inkjet printer. The dyes are then transferred from the medium to an object or garment fabric by a commercial heat press.
Sublimation only works on garments made of polyester, or on speciality objects made of polyester or given a polyester coating. When the heat and pressure are applied, the dye on the transfer medium sublimates, or becomes a gas, and is then absorbed into the polyester itself. This is great for personalised team wear.
Surreal Sublimation Printing – Build Your Own team and sportswear garment, please click here.
Embroidery
Embroidery is a process using stitched thread to create logos and text. This process does have limitations for detail but quite effective for garments such as multi-layer jackets, baseball caps and beanies. Best suited to a smaller logo location.
Getting Started
Whether your new to the printing process or a pro, we are happy to assist with answering any questions you may have about the above decoration options. From setting up prints from scratch, supplying correct artwork files, garments or promotional items you may need. We recommend sending through your ideas or artwork files if possible via email, quote page or calling to discuss your requirements. Once we have your print specs we can then get back to you asap with a quote followed by a digital artwork proof.
The basics to determine print cost for your job are based on the following points + the print decoration method used.
- Artwork.
- Number of print colours.
- Decoration location/s and size.
- Method used for decoration.
- The garment style or Product to be decorated.
- Quantity of products.
How should I supply my artwork?
If you can supply the following formats for artwork this would be great! Please make sure all artwork supplied in formats below, are at the correct print size and colour true. Especially if this is being output as a digital transfer prints. CMYK is recommend colour space for these file tpes. It is advised that you supply your art at 100% print size. Preferred file types are vector based files from Corel or Illustrator software.
ILLUSTRATOR – All versions
Save as native vector .AI, .EPS or print ready .PDF file.
Fonts should be converted to outlines.
CORELDRAW– up to version X7
Save as native vector .CDR file.
Fonts should be converted to curves or outlines.
PHOTOSHOP– all versions up to CS5.
Save as native .PSD or .TIF file. Photos – 300 dpi at 100% print size. Line art – 300 dpi or greater, Do not flatten layers, as it is often helpful to have these open for completing the design process for print. Please rasterize all fonts. PSD files may require vectorizing to make them print ready.
