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Imprinting
101:
The
most standard garment imprinting types: (or click here
to learn about artwork requirements)
Embroidery: Stitching a design into fabric through the
use of high-speed, computer-controlled embroidery machines. Artwork
must first be "digitized", which is the specialized process
of converting two-dimensional artwork into stitches or thread.
Artwork such as a jpeg, tiff, eps, or bmp, cannot be used directly by
embroidery machines. The digitizer must actually recreate the artwork
using stitches and then program the embroidery machine to stitch a
specific design, in a specific colour, with a specific type of
stitch. This is the process known as digitizing.
(Advantages: durable, one-time
setup fee, same image can be used on various garments or fabrics, the
choice for high-end products and looks, no minimums at EmbroidMe!
Limitations: limits to size in both minimum and
maximum, limits to locations on garments that can be embroidered)
Digital Garment
Printing: Printing an image directly into the fabric of the garment
using water based dyes and technology similar to ink-jet
printing. Not to be confused
with paper-transfers, digital garment printing (dgp) is the latest
technology in garment printing that allows the printing of any image
in any format directly onto the garment.
(Advantages: durable, minimal
setup fees (sometimes none!), same image can be re-used at various
sizes and locations, no restrictions on image type (jpg & gif are
acceptable), no minimums at EmbroidMe! Limitations: requires at least partial cotton fabric for
dye to set, flat lying fabrics only (no caps), limits to locations on
garments that can be digitally printed)
Heat Applied Vinyl: Numbers
and shapes are cut from specially manufactured material which is then
permanently heat applied to material.
Perfect for sports lettering and numbering on all fabrics and
for logos and sponsors. (Advantages:
durable, setup fees are less than for screen printing, no minimums
at EmbroidMe! Limitations: best for logos that have a maximum of 3
colours before going with screen printing, logos with lots of small
detail are better done with screen printing)
Screen Printing / Silk-Screening: An image is
transferred to the printed surface by ink, which is pressed through a
stenciled screen and treated with a light-sensitive emulsion. Film
positives are put in contact with the screens and exposed to light,
hardening the emulsion not covered by film and leaving a soft area on
the screen for the squeegee to press ink through. Also, you must
create a different screen for every colour you are going to print,
and then screen each colour separately allowing drying time in-between.
(Advantages: versatile in its
colour options and effects, decades-old industry standard, works on
no flat surfaces (like caps), versatility in print locations, works
on almost all fabrics and surfaces.
Limitations:
requires setup charges for every colour in the image, minimum of 12
pieces apply)
Other types of imprinting available on
specialty items and promotional products:
Deboss: Achieved by
depressing an image into a material’s surface so that the image sits
below the product’s surface.
Emboss: An impression of an image in relief to
achieve a raised surface.
Hot Stamp: Setting a design on a metal relief die
or plate, which is then heated and pressed onto the printing surface
to achieve a deboss.
Etching: Using a process in which an image is first
covered with a protective coating that resists acid, then exposed,
leaving bare metal and protected metal. The acid attacks only the
exposed metal, leaving the image etched onto the surface.
Laser or Foil Stamp: Applying metallic or coloured
foil imprints to vinyl, leather or paper surfaces. Usually with a deboss.
Die-casting: Injecting molten metal into the cavity
of a carved die (or a mold)
Die-striking: Producing emblems and other flat
promotional products by striking a blank metal sheet with a hammer
that holds the die.
Colourfill: Screen printing
an image and then debossing it onto the vinyl's surface.
Pad Printing: A recessed surface is covered with ink.
The plate is wiped clean, leaving ink in the recessed areas. A
silicone pad is then pressed against the plate, pulling the ink out
of the recesses, and pressing it directly onto the product.
4-colour Process: A system where a colour image is
separated into 4 different colour values by the use of filters and
screens (usually done digitally). The result is a colour separation
of 4 images, that when transferred to printing plates and printed on
a printing press with the coloured inks cyan (blue), magenta (red),
yellow and black, reproduces the original colour image. These four
colours can be combined to create thousands of colours just as your
computer printer does.
Laser (Engraving): Imprinting method by which art or
lettering is cut into a material by a laser beam that vaporizes the
portion exposed through openings in a template.
Sublimation: Dye transfer process where the image
consists of a coloured dye permanently embedded into the material
surface of pores. Used to imprint messages, graphics and photographs
on a variety of items, primarily mouse pads, mugs, T-shirts, caps,
and trophy medals.
Decal: Artwork is produced on a transparent
decal, and then applied to product.
Offset Printing: A process of transferring ink from a
metal printing plate to a rubber-covered cylinder. Used on more complex
artwork and for higher quantity runs.
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