screen printing

Screen Printing 101: Techniques

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So you’re wondering what it would take for you to be able to make your own print? or you’re wondering how Family Industries makes perfect prints? We’ll take you through the steps necessary to achieve a flawless screen print as well as show you how we do it at the Family Industries HQ.

In this article, we will also take you through the different techniques used for specific outcomes and all that will be necessary for you to achieve them which would include equipment and other factors such as time and effort.

How To Get Started

We’ll take you through the fundamental tools you will need to begin this process. Although you can buy ready-to-use kits from websites such as screenprinting.com - you can always find DIY ways to make your own setup.

Check out Create Custom Screen Printing Designs at Home

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The Screen

Choosing the right screen mesh can be confusing, a 110 to 160 mesh count screen is the most versatile and the most commonly used in screen printing. We recommend that for prints that are up to 3 colors a 160 (61cm) to 180 (70cm) monofilament mesh screen is best, ensure that they have very well made wood frames that have been purchased with the fabric or mesh already attached (pre-stretched) OR you may also use a metal retentionable screen.

Here’s how to make your own screen

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The Press Set-Up

The screen needs to be placed on the press and squared to the shirt board. This is as simple as placing a t-square under the frame and looking through the screen to square the image on the frame to the edge of the board. Now when you make a print it will be straight to the board.


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Emulsion

A big part of the photostencil phase of the production cycle, screen printing emulsion is the light-sensitive liquid or capillary-direct films that you coat or adhere to the degreased screen fabric prior to taping your film positives in place.

There are a few choices to pick from when it comes to getting the right emulsion and it has to do with certain variables. Learn about what type of emulsion you will need according to your setup and experience level.

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The Ink

Most inks on the market are too thick to print easily by hand and they generally need a slight amount of reduction – or thinning – to make it work better. Thinning does not mean making it softer it means adding a curable reducer rather than a "soft hand" additive. A small amount of reducer will make the ink more workable.

If your print is a three-color print, it is recommended to thin the lightest colors a little more than the darker colors. This will generally be the first color in your print and it needs to penetrate into the garment more than the others, this way, it will not pick it up on the bottoms of the other screens. If black is your last color, you can thin it less. It needs to lay on top of the other colors and it will blend in with the under colors if it is too thin.

Plastisol ink tends to get a little thicker when it isn't in use, so you should always stir the ink before you begin thinning it. By stirring the ink you will find out if it really needs thinner. We recommend an ink that is smooth and creamy to one that is so thick that you break the stick trying to stir it.

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The Squeegee

We highly recommend a triple durometer squeegee that has a harder center around a softer outer edge. These give you more control, especially if you have a lot of strength and try to flatten the blade as you make the print (you don't want to flatten the blade). You can also pick up an "old-fashioned" medium hardness blade with a sharp edge and make a great print. A sharp edge shears off the ink cleanly and will make a sharper print than a dull edge blade. If you are a messy printer, you should use the wider 5" handles. These will help keep your fingers out of the ink.

Choose the right squeegee for your screen print job

Techniques

There are technical applications we recommend and we’ll go over details as to how to print once you have your equipment all set up and ready to go.

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How Much Ink Should I Use?

Depending on how you work, knowing how much ink to use takes time and practice. Some people have a heavy pour but they are able to manage the printing process to avoid making a mess, while others tend to be a little less coordinated. The rule of thumb is to pour enough to get a good amount of prints without running dry, but not so much that when you print it all rides up onto the squeegee handle. It is much easier to put more ink on a screen and harder to take the excess out! Start off with a small amount and work your way up to learning how much is really needed and how much you can handle.

How Do I Hold The Squeegee?

Top Grip:

A lot of printers use the standard “two-hand, top grip and pull towards you” stroke. While this works well, it can cause some problems if you are printing all day long. Not only will the tips of your fingers and thumbs be sore (and may become numb) you may also feel tenderness in your wrists. What this could cause is a repetitive motion disorder known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Some people can print their whole lives and never get this but to minimize the chances of developing Carpal Tunnel, you can use special ergonomic squeegees that force you to hold a wider handle.

Side Grip:

This technique moves the strain from the center of your wrist to your forearm muscles. Simply hold the squeegee by the side and pull it towards you. This works great if you are a short person or of average height.

Push or Pull?

The answer to this question is based on preference. Pulling the squeegee towards you is the standard method, but pushing it away from you is really a lot easier. When pulling the squeegee you use more of your wrists and shoulder muscles. When pushing, you use more of your body weight to push the squeegee. We encourage you to try both and figure out what is most comfortable.

How Many Strokes Are Needed?

You really only need one stroke if your ink is diluted enough and you’re printing on a lighter fabric. If the fabric is dark and your ink isn’t sticking as well as you’d like, we encourage you to do two-stroke. If you find that two or three strokes are not doing the job, it may be that your ink is too thick and will need to be diluted a bit more.

How Much Pressure Do I Apply?

We recommend that not a lot of pressure is applied as this can cause the print to be uneven, if the ink is the right consistency then a medium amount of pressure should do the job.


In Conclusion

Having the right equipment is more than half of the job - buying the equipment and the ink can get expensive, however, if you have a plan and the right design, you can make up the money quickly and begin to profit from your creations.

Practise makes perfect, many techniques can be mastered by just making mistakes and starting over. So, don’t be scared to make errors and having to start over, it’s all part of the process.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator


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Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Guide To Designing A Custom Hoodie

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We all love a comfy hoodie or sweatshirt and we depend on them in the winter months to keep us warm but also serve style. While blanks are a staple in most of our closets, you need a good graphic hoodie to make a statement and bring your outfit together. For most people, their hoodies will be their most treasured outerwear in their wardrobe. Hoodies and sweatshirts are versatile and can be worn on many occasions, so it’s no surprise that personalized hoodies are a popular choice among brands whose goals are to make a statement.


5 Steps To Design Your Own Hoodie

We’ll take you through critical steps to take when designing your own hoodie or sweatshirt. Whether you’re designing a hoodie for yourself or you’re designing a hoodie for your apparel brand, you will want to think about your budget first as this will dictate which of these recommendations to take into consideration.

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1. Garment Type

First things first, choosing the type of garment can determine some of the criteria below. You have a range of options varying from Polyester to organic cotton. Organic cotton is environmentally friendly and tends to last longer, putting this option at the top of the price range but guarantees high-quality.

If high-quality is not as important and you want to get the most bang for your buck, a good option is a blend. Most hoodies are a blend of 80% cotton and 20% polyester or other synthetic materials. The blends are a good option in terms of breathability and flexibility.

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2. Thickness

Weight and thickness are an important consideration when designing a hoodie, these decisions will determine how comfortable and warm your garment is. You probably want to create a quality product and it’s worth spending a little more for a thicker and softer fabric.
ranging from 280 to 350 GSM (grams per square meter), the top end being a chunky, heavyweight garment catering to those who want their garments especially thick. What to look for when buying a hoodie.

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3. Design Application

So you have a cool design and you’re thinking, what is the best application? The application can depend on the design, for example, if your design has a lot of small, thinner lines screen printing would be perfect as opposed to embroidery for which the lines need to be a certain thickness.

Screen Printing is the most adaptable application for most brands as it allows a little more freedom with the type of design and depending on the number of colors used, it can also be a more affordable route.

If you’re printing a smaller amount of units and or have a more complex design such as a photo image, DTG (direct to garment) printing will probably be the best option.

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4. Placement

This may sound like a no-brainer - front and center is the most popular placement, but doing something different can set you apart from the competition, or if you’re customizing just for yourself, it will set you apart from the crowd.
It’s also possible to print on the sleeve of your hoodies, which could be a good addition or alternative to printing straight on the front or the back. 

One thing to note, however, is that printing on the sleeves is only possible with screen printing or a hand-held inkjet printing gun. The apparel printing gun is not something that is common and not a lot of print shops offers, but you can always ask!

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5. Extra Customizations

Additional customizations include adding a visible tag to the cuffs, which can add a more personal and unique flair to a garment. Other extra customizations include adding a patch anywhere on the hoodie, for example, if your hoodie has a screen printed design on the back but you would like to add an additional logo or tagline to the front, you can always have an embroidered patch added. Patches are often rare on hoodies and that can be an attractive addition for buyers.


If you’re looking for success with your design but can’t afford anything fancy – it doesn’t have to be. Only 14% of analyzed clothing stores had printed sleeves for their hoodies, for example. Another interesting fact – only 5% of the stores that have been studied have design placements on the back – and only 23% have graphics on the side of the pocket. Additionally, 50% of the designs are logos or quotes and 55% of the colors used are white and black.

What Application Is More Durable?

While durability often depends on use, we think that there are other factors to take into consideration, such as the application. DTG Prints are more economical because there is usually no minimum and tend to be more sustainable, while screen printing requires a minimum amount of prints. Screen printing is technically more expensive and less sustainable.

With an embroidered design, you often need a high-quality fabric that is thick to avoid bunching and it can be hard to keep the shape of the design once the hoodie has been washed a few times. However, opting for an embroidered patch that is placed on the hoodie can be an excellent alternative.

Bottom line -

Figuring out your budget and the type of design you would like will determine which method to use. We recommend that if you have a big budget, always opt for the highest quality and the best durability. This will ensure that your brand will be well regarded and is known for high quality is what you want for a clothing brand. Additionally, the quality will dictate how much your customers are willing to pay.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator


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Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Screen Printing With Puff Ink

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If you’ve been paying attention you’ve seen that more and more streetwear brands are bringing back the Puff Ink prints. This type of ink is a plastisol based ink that has been modified with the addition of a heat reactive foaming agent that makes the ink expand tp give you that ‘Puffy’ look.


How Does It Work?

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Puff ink adds a 3 dimensional aspect to screen printing on garments. With this type of ink, you will follow the same screen printing steps as printing with standard water-based inks.

You can use puff ink across the entire artwork, or you can choose specific elements or colors of the design to give it the desired effect to bring more attention or 'pop' to a particular part of the artwork.

One of the downsides to printing with puff ink is that it’s hard to match the exact Pantone ink colors as opposed to using regular water-based ink. This is because the puff ink additive changes different colors in different ways. However, usually, lighter Pantone colors are easier to match than darker colors.

Keep It Simple

There are no fundamental limitations when using puff ink for t shirt printing, apart from when your design has small details that are less than 1 - 2mm wide. For the best puff print, you will want your design to have thick lines and minimal small details. When creating a design featuring text, choosing the right font is key. The thicker the lines the more your design will stand out.

Check out How To Add Puff Additive To Plastisol Ink

How It’s Made

You should use plastisol inks of any color and add a puff additive such as “Rutland NPT puff’ which recommends a 5% to 15% ratio for an optimum puff. The amount of additive dictates how much the ink will rise. With puff ink, it’s important to measure how much additive and paint to mix by weight.

When it comes to your screen, the lower the mesh count, the more open the holes are, which translates to more ink deposit and results in a more “puffy” print.

Once you’ve added the ink to your garment in the chosen design, as the ink goes through the dryer and the heat rises, so does your ink. Like a loaf of bread!

Aftercare

To preserve a puff print or any other specialty prints, it is recommended that you wash it inside out with cold water. Do not use a tumble-dryer, hang dry if possible and do not iron over the print.

Check out Puff Ink – The definitive designers guide for apparel creation


Pro’s and Con’s List

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Pros of Puff Screen Printing

  • Fast printing technique for printing in large volumes

  • Can be printed in conjunction with a wide selection of other inks and effects

  • Can produce designs with multiple colors

  • High-durability, will not crumble and flake off

  • Professional finish and usually less expensive (consult with your printer)

  • Can print on most types of fabrics

Cons of Puff Screen Printing

  • Initial setup fee makes it unsuitable for small quantity orders

  • Not good for use in fine detailed artwork

  • Can not be used for image (raster based) prints

  • Can not be printed alongside, foil, flock or high density print effects


Are you looking to printing

your design with Puff Ink?


Get the inside scoop from Lee Stuart printing with Puff Ink for the first time!


Brand Spotlight

Japangeles is a Los Angeles based streetwear brand located in the heart of Little Tokyo. Japangeles has done collaborations with other major brands such as Kirin, Hello Kitty, Champion, and Lexus. Their simplistic yet eye-catching approach to design and word play has caught the attention of many people looking for high-quality garments and minimalistic aesthetics in Los Angeles. Their newest design features a puff ink print, demonstrating the current popularity of this type of specialty print method.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator


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Merch Guide For Musicians & Bands

Whether you’re a successful musician or an up and coming band, having merch to sell at events is critical. There’s a variety of items you can sell as merch to event goers as a way to promote your music. Choosing the right items is key to ensuring sales.


Why Do Musicians Need Merch?

Musician merch has always been important to bands, both as a source of revenue and to help raise awareness of your ‘brand’. Fans love buying merch too - the music we like is closely tied in with our identity, and wearing a band’s t-shirt is a way of showing off that identity to others - adverts for your band, helping promote your band anywhere and everywhere they go.

Having a good range of merchandise not only generates you income but raises your profile as a band and can help get you new fans!

Check Out How To Design A T-Shirt

What Merch Should You Sell?

The real key to getting started with merchandise is to look at how much budget you have to invest. If you have a larger budget it is worth looking at what your fans would like - ask them and develop a small range, but you could also go for plenty of low budget options such as badges, stickers and posters. Your budget will also play a crucial role in determining what your inventory will look like.

Ask Your Fans

You can slap your band logo on just about anything these days, but don’t leave it up to chance. Be direct and ask your fans what they want! Put up a quick poll on your social media, in your email newsletter, or on your music website to get an idea of the kind of merch your fans would actually enjoy.

Research

Check out other band’s merch - Gather merch inspiration from bands that are similar to yours in terms of genre, brand identity, and number of followers.

Check Out Merch Ideas: Band Posters & Art Prints

Cost Effective Merch

When you’re deciding what to get made, cost is always going to be a factor. There are three main things to bear in mind:

  • Overall cost of production: Patches, stickers, and keychains are popular because they’re a low-cost items that you can give away as well as selling them. By contrast, hoodies are a more expensive item that will cost more - however, the profit is bigger.

  • Minimum runs: All items will have a minimum quantity that you’ll be allowed to order. This will be higher for some types of merch than others.

  • Complexity of design: If you’re screen printing items (the most common technique for t-shirts), you’ll be charged a set-up cost for each color in your design - meaning a complex design with 4 colors will be much more expensive to produce than a simple 1 color print.

Find A Designer

Creating the right attention-grabbing artwork is a big part of a successful merch campaign. Hiring a professional graphic designer can save you a lot of headaches when it’s time for the printing process. It’s important to communicate what you are intending to do with the art work as certain designs may not be suitable for screen printing (too detailed or thin lines).

Finding a merch designer that specializes in packaging or has knowledge of apparel printing is a plus! Otherwise, make sure they understand what your intentions are before beginning the designing process.

Check Out How To Design Artwork For Screen Printing With Puff Ink

Custom Merch

Adding an element of customization to music merch item can be a great incentive for event goers. Being able to add initials to a jacket or a hat by using a live embroidery service is a low cost way to customize merch on-site.

If a live event merch customization agency can fit into your marketing budget, do it! Having experts working at your event either embroidering hats or screen printing t-shirts adds an additional element of entertainment to your show which encourages sales.

Selling Merch Online

While not on tour, selling merch online is another way to earn passive income and still promoting your music.

If you’re attracting fans to your website or Instagram profile, it’s a missed opportunity if you’re not offering them stuff to buy once they’re there. Services like BigCartel give you a free shopfront where you can easily add your products and have fans pay by Paypal. You just need to keep track of stock levels, and make sure one band member is in charge of packing and shipping the orders.

Another solution is merch agencies such as Family Industries who offer a variety of merch items that can also be fulfilled on-site and shipped directly to the buyer. Merch manufacturers can often also add additional branding items such as stickers or personalized notes and they guarantee great quality.


Be Creative!

Selling a t-shirt with your band name and artwork is essential, however, thinking outside the box and offering a vinyl with an art print can elevate your brand and ensure you’re providing quality to your fans. It may also additionally present as a great gift for someone, which automatically takes your merch to the next level.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator


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How To Design a Statement T-Shirt

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As individuals we all have a lot to say and we’re constantly looking for ways to share our opinions and thoughts about social issues, politics, and our own identities. A statement tee is a great way to share your thoughts without having to say a single word. A statement tee also helps you identify people that are likeminded and can become a way to meet new people and share common ideals. In this article we’ll show you how design the perfect statement tee.

The Statement

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Statement shirts are the perfect choice to highlight any outfit or occasion. Whether you are just trying to spruce up a casual look or you want to down play your evening look, a statement shirt almost always fits. A statement t-shirt doesn’t always have to be something serious, it can be printed with funny quotes, inspirational quotes of your favorite celebrity or a funny drawing, the choice is up to you and you’re imagination and opportunities have no limits.

The Design

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Don’t overthink it - the more simple your concept is, the more relatable it will be. To come up with the best statement think of all the things or ideals that you strongly believe in and put those believes into 2 or 3 words. You can also convey your message by creating a single graphic.

If you own an apparel business and are looking to create a buzz around your idea, creating a graphic tees with a message can also be effective and look more appealing. A statement tee can also include pop culture references, which tend to be more widely recognized.

Pro Tip: If your design includes a font or typeface, making sure it’s easily legible.

The Print Process

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Once you have a design locked in, it’s time to decide what type of printing and what type of ink you will use for your design. Here is a guide to help you with your options.

Print Options

  • Screen Print - This is the gold standard of t-shirt printing. The screen printing method is the most widely used because of its’ effectiveness and durability. It is also affordable when printing in bulk as it most often a minimum is required.

  • Direct To Garment - Also known as DTG printing, this method uses the freedoms of inkjet printing, but prints directly on fabric. Generally, this option is more affordable than screen printing as it requires less setup, specifically if the print has more than 2 or 3 colors. This method is also best when printing a small amount of t-shirts and if the design is highly detailed or is a photo image.

Check out Screen Printing vs. Digital Printing

Inks & Effects

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  • Plastisol - This is the standard ink used in screen-printing. It is the most long-lasting type of ink.

  • Foil - This ink is shiny and reflective, mostly used in specialty prints where you have a metallic or a gold color.

  • Water-based - This type of ink is engrained into the fabric, unlike plastisol that sits on top of the fabric. This ink is also better for the environment.

  • Puff - This type of print requires an additive that is applied to ink. This additive rises when it is exposed to heat, making the print “puff up” on the garment.

Learn more about What is The Best Ink for Screen Printing

Color

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Considering the colors before the design process is complete may help you budget for your production. The more colors your print has, chances are, the more it will cost you to print. Figuring out what type of print you will use is the first step, if your prefer method is screen printing, then we recommend you take into consideration that if your design contains a lot of colors, this will require a bigger set-up cost for each screen.

By choosing the direct to garment print option your cost will most likely not go up if you have a lot of colors, however, you will sacrifice durability.

In addition to dictating the cost of printing, color can also dictate the color of the t-shirt.

T-shirt designs have two sets of colors to keep in mind: the fabric color(s) and the print color(s). To make sure that these two complement each other, always use your fabric color as the background of your design ideas.

Learn more about the Pros and Cons of Screen Printing vs. Digital Printing

T-Shirt Type

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Work with your printer to find the right fabric and t-shirt style for your design. You should also consider your customers such as what type of t-shirt style is most popular among your demographics? and what price point is most attractive for your customers? that questions specifically will help determine the t-shirt quality you will need to purchase.

Find a Printer

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Finding a print shop can be an easy google search, but finding a GOOD printer can be a little more diffucult.

So how do you know if a print shop is good? Don’t just look for the best deals, you should also consider the printer’s reputation. Check for customer reviews, check their social media such as Instagram for examples of their work. Remember, the print shop does not always have to be local, if you find a printer outside of your city or even state, ask them about their shipping rates prior to placing your order.

You can also tell if a print shop is good based on their customer service and how much help they provide for setting up your files. File setup can be a little complicated, so a print shop that offers to help with this task is a plus!

Check out How To Prepare a Design File For Screen Printing

Besides the technical file setup, find a print shop that has an in-house art department. This will demonstrate that they are capable of assisting you on your design to achieve the best print possible.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator


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Printing on Athletic Apparel

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Athletic and athleisure wear has become more and more popular over recent years, not only because of a more health conscious population but because these types of apparel provides more comfort when going through our day-to-day activities. In this article we’ll take you through the advantages of creating athletic merch for your brand and the challenges that come with printing on this type of material.

What is Athletic wear?

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Athletic wear refers to clothing that allows for maximum flexibility and comfort when performing a sport or when working out at a gym. Athletic wear is made up of ultra breathable and moisture wicking fibers to help release sweat outwards which evaporates into the atmosphere. It keeps the body cool in heat and warm in cold.

The Benefits of Moisture-Wicking Fabric in Your Workout Clothes

What is Athleisure Wear?

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Athleisure wear is a more common type of fashionable casual and comfortable clothing such as tights or leggings and lightweight tops to keep skin cool while doing every-day activities, walking, or non competitive sports. This type of clothing was born out of the necessity to be comfortable while performing daily activities. It lies at the intersection of activewear and traditional sportswear that was meant as recreational wear designed for daytime or leisure activity.

Read more about What is the Difference Between Athletic wear and Athleisure wear?

How is Printing Done on Athletic Wear?

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There are a few ways to print on athletic or athleisure wear that depend on the type of fabrics used to make the garments. Some fabric are easier to work with than others but there is always a way.

We’ll recommend the most common ways we recommend to print on athletic wear or athleisure wear with Pros and Cons.


Design

Because of the nature of athletic fabrics, keeping a design simple can be beneficial if you’re looking to have prints such as your logo or letters. Many brand such as Nike have a simple logo that they can print using a heat press and that also keeps the costs down.

Inks

Ink production technology has kept up with the athletic fabric trend, and there are inks out there that are formulated to address the challenges of printing on synthetic jersey fabrics. If you’re looking to screen print your design, look for low-bleed inks that cure at lower temperatures for longer times. These are made specifically to lessen the effects of dye migration.

Consider Flexibility

Most athletic fabrics have a specific amount of stretch that may make screen printing difficult or not as durable as other print methods. Once you have found the garment, check the material it is made with, that information will dictate which print method is best for your apparel.


Recommended

PRINT METHODS:

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DTG or Direct To Garment Printing

DTG printing method uses a printer with textile inks which allows for faster and low cost production. While this option is the more cost-effective, it is also the lowest quality. This type of textile ink is not durable and depending on the material you are printing on it may look dull and cheap. Additionally, printing on dark clothing using this method is not recommended.

PROS

  • Low Setup Costs

CONS

  • Low Resolution

  • Not Durable

  • Not Good For Dark Fabrics

Sublimation Printing

Sublimation is one of the most durable methods you can use if you are printing on polyester fabrics. This method requires applying a liquid dye unto the garment until it has solidified, then heat is applied to then evaporate the solid matter leaving the dye perfectly printed into every thread. This is why this method provides long-lasting quality.

PROS

  • Durable

  • Creative Freedom to Use Wide Range of Colors and Patterns

CONS

  • Limited To Polyester Fabrics

Heat Press Printing

Heat press is the type of printing that is most often used in athletic gear for smaller logos and labels. Heat press uses a specific type of paper that is applied directly unto the garment and then it is pressed using a press. This type of printing is used by brand such as Nike and Adidas. This method has a very sharp and clean look to it.

PRO

  • Low Setup Cost

  • Sharp Print

CONS

  • Quality Control - If done incorrectly, print can easily peel off


CONCLUSION

If you’d like to print your logo or a smaller design unto a breathable material we suggest to go with heat press printing, this method will result in the most clear print with perfect lines and it’s one of the most affordable options.

If you’d like to have the entire garment printed with an intricate design, we suggest to print using the sublimation method. Sublimation is highly durable and gives you freedom when it comes to colors and design, however, you’re limited to polyester fabrics only.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator


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