This article explains some of the print methods Swag Pro has to offer in detail, including some best practices and general production times.
Screen Printing
Definition: The process of dragging ink over a screen to create a design.
- The customer's artwork is burned onto a very fine fabric screen. The non-printing areas are blocked off with the screen serving as a stencil. The ink is wiped across the screen to pass through the unblocked pores and reach the fabric. For each ink color being printed, a separate screen is prepared and the process is repeated
- PMS Matching is guaranteed
- This method is commonly used on t-shirts and hoodies
- Maximum Print Sizes
- Standard Print: 12"W X 12" H
- Oversized Print: 15"W x 17" H
- Hoodies: 15" W x 10" H
- Youth Garments: 10"W x 12" H
- Sleeves: 3.25"W x 17" H
- 12 color maximum per print including underlay
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Embroidery
Definition: Embroidery is the process of decorating fabric with a needle and thread.
- PMS matching is not possible, but will match the thread as close it can be
- Commonly used on polos, hats, jackets and bags
Best Practices:
- Minimize text
- Text size: aim for a minimum size of 0.25" H
- Fewer colors improve the sew quality
- Maximize standardization
- Should avoid very thin materials, foam liners and sewing over a seam
- Cuffs and small pockets can limit access to an area to embroider
Standard Production Time: 15 business days
Deboss
Definition: Artwork is depressed (debossed) onto the material surface utilizing heat or pressure to "dent" the design into the material.
- Commonly used on journals, luggage tags, and leather items
Best Practices:
- Avoid fine lines
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Laser Engraving/Etching
Definition: A laser is used to burn an image into the material.
- For items with color, it removes a product's outer color layer to reveal the metal underneath
- It burns the logo into a material, creating a darker, slightly indented logo
- Commonly used on wood items, drinkware and technology
- Typically a dishwasher-safe decoration method for drinkware
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Digital Print
Definition: Uses four basic print colors- cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) in fine, half-tone dots.
- This method involves printing overlapping colors of various dot size that optically mix and create thousands of hues
- Also referred to as Digital, DigiPrint, Spectrum Print, vidiv Print, full-color, 4CP, LogoMagic, ColorBite, PhotoGrafixx
- PMS Matching not guaranteed
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Dye Sublimation
Definition: CMYK pigment films and heat-to-transfer dyes are used to print the design onto woven fabrics, creating full-color, highly custom designs that can take up the entire surface of the woven item instead of just one small decoration area.
- The design is printed onto sublimation transfer paper using sublimation ink, then applied to the woven material with high temperature and pressure, turning the ink/paper into a gas state where they permeate into the material. Once it cools, the inks are turned back to a solid and are locked permanently into the fabric
- PMS matching is not guaranteed
- Commonly used on microfiber cloths, but can be used on apparel, bags, drinkware etc. (depending on the supplier)
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Heat Transfer
Definition: Artwork is printed in reverse on a release paper, then placed against the desired product and subjected to high temperature and pressure. When the item has cooled, the release paper is peeled away to reveal the image.
- PMS matching is usually guaranteed
- Commonly used on bags and other textile items
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Pad Printing
Definition: Much like a simple stamp, a pad in the shape of the customer's design is dipped in ink and then pressed onto an object to create a clean and firm design.
- PMS matching is usually guaranteed
- Used on irregularly shaped items that do not have a flat surface, such as stress balls and curved items
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Hot Stamp/Foil Stamp
Definition: Pre-dried inks or colored foils are transferred onto materials at high temperatures.
- PMS matching is not always guaranteed as its dependent on the supplier's stock of foil and ink colors.
- Commonly used on journals
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Silk Screen
Definition: Very similar to screen printing, except this is used primarily on hard good items.
- PMS matching is guaranteed
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Epoxy Dome
Definition: Doming involves applying a liquid that is guided onto the digital design, where it is then left to harden and cure to create a clear-dome effect.
- The clear polyurethane substance is resistant to wear and scratches
- Typically allows for full-color logos at no additional charge
- PMS matching is not guaranteed
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Imprint
Definition: The application of ink via screens or silicone pads onto a material.
- One of the more common "catch all" names for basic product decoration when the vendor doesn't specify anything more precise (can be an alternate name for silkscreen, transfer, pad-print etc)
- PMS matching usually guaranteed
- Commonly used on journals, drinkware, pens, tech items
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Offset
Definition: Digital files are broken down into their color separations- cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) and burned onto metal plates. The plates are loaded onto rollers where the ink is added and the design is printed onto a rubber plate. The paper then passes over the rubber plate, transferring the design onto the paper.
- PMS matching is not guaranteed
- Commonly used for paper printed at larger quantities (digital printing is used for smaller quantities)
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
DTG (Direct to Garment)
Definition: DTG is a process of printing graphics onto textiles and garments. It uses modified inkjet technology to print graphics onto textiles-- like a giant inkjet printer, but for shirts.
- PMS matching is not guaranteed
Standard Production Time: 10 business days
Emboss
Definition: The artwork is pressed (embossed) onto the material surface utilizing heat or pressure from the backside/underneath to "raise" the design on the material.
Best Practices:
- Avoid fine lines
Standard Production Time: 10 business days