| ABOUT OUR PRINTING | ||
| WHAT IS SCREEN PRINTING? Screen-printing is a traditional print process where a design or logo is printed directly onto the fabric or garment by way of a mesh screen. The printer will transfer the inks through the screen to the garment with a squeegee to achieve the desired print result. The process involves exact pressures, specialized water based printing inks, and heat curing to result in a long lasting print. We complete our screen printing manually using only waterbased textile inks (which are kinder to the environment) and we have the ability to print from one to six spot colours as well as full colour. We also print and supply a vast range of clothing items from leading promo suppliers such as t-shirts, golf shirts, work wear, hoodies, bags and caps, but we do welcome our customers to supply their own garments if they prefer. Screen printing is long lasting and permanent, the print price is calculated on the colour of the garment used (white garments are cheaper to print), the number of prints positions on the garment and the number of colours in each print, In short Screen printing is ideal for bulk printing | SCREEN PRINTING | |
| WHAT IS A HEAT TRANSFER? A heat transfer is a digital print that is printed on a special vinyl and pressed onto the fabric with a heat press. Heat transfers are printed with a large format printer using solvent based inks, then they are cut out with the machine, lined up to the fabric and pressed into place with a high temperature heat press.Our digitally printed heat transfers are printed full colour with eco solvent inks onto a quality textile vinyl. Heat transfer prints require a computer generated artwork to print from, a cutting line must then be created in order for the print to be cut out. Smaller text and images do not work well as they have a small surface area to adhere to the garment and may require a outline or block around them so that they adhere to the fabic. Generally heat transfer prints take around 2-3 working days to complete. This method of printing is not as permanent and hard-wearing as screen printing, but is ideal for quick turnaround, one-off’s or small print runs with many colours as well as individual names and number on garments. | HEAT TRANSFER | |
| SCREEN PRINTING VS DIGITAL HEAT TRANSFERS | PRO'S | CON'S |
| SCREEN PRINTING | • Long Lasting, a traditional form of printing • Cost effective on larger quantities, the more you print, the cheaper they become • Softer feel than transfers. Can iron the print | • Expensive on smaller quantities as it requires a screen and setup for each colour • Minimum of around 10 one colour prints to make it cost effective |
| HEAT TRANFER PRINTS | • Cost effective for small runs of printing. No minimum order. • Can do individual names or numbers without heavy setup costs • Can produce a design in full colour with good detail inexpensively | • Not as permanent as screen printing. Cracks and fades with time. • Rubbery feel • Cannot iron the print • Expensive on large quantities of garments |
| IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAT TRANSFER AND SCREEN PRINTED SHIRTS? Yes. Simply put silk screened shirts are printed to last where as heat transfers are not. It all depends on how long you want to use the shirt for and the budget available. HOW LONG WILL SCREEN PRINTING LAST? Unlike a transfer which sits on top of a garment, screen printing ink actually penetrates and is cured into the fabric. Depending on the care of the garment – screen printing can last as long as the garment itself. HOW LONG WILL HEAT TRANSFERS LAST? With proper care of your garment (wash inside out on a cool wash, dry inside out on a washing line and iron inside out - no tumble drying or dry cleaning) the manufacturer recommends around 50 washes for the vinyl heat transfers, which do eventually crack and fade. | ||
