It is common knowledge in this industry that white ink requires two layers in order to be bright and vibrant, but why?
Light colored plastisol inks are in-between transparent and opaque when applied correctly to dark garments. In order for the ink to cure at the proper temperature, a base layer must be applied, flashed by a heating unit, and then printed one more time with the same layer.
Imagine you are painting a wall which is black. Any white paint is going to require you to put a base layer down, then wait for it to dry, and then apply your second coat. With the print flash print method for T-shirts, we are able to add that second coat in a quick and effective manner, to ensure our prints come out clean, crisp, and bright for the world to see.
How do get the look of embroidery for a fraction of the price? The answer is a screen print technique called Puff Stitch Printing. Rather than using thread to embroider a large design on a garment, which is very expensive, we use an ink system that replicates the look of embroidery. For this technique we use our automatic screen print presses and create screens for each color and a special formula of ink that puffs or rises when it is cured in our long chamber dryers.
The whole process starts in our art department where designers create the artwork that will be printed using this technique. There are some tricks they employ to achieve an embroidered look on fabric. Through layering, faux stitch placement and alteration of fonts, we can achieve a design that really does look like a more expensive applique or embroidered process. This process works for any garment that can be screen printed with standard cure inks, which means the garment can withstand being heated to 330 degrees for a minute, long enough to set the ink so it will not wash out.
Get more dimension in your next print project with a Puff technique. We have standard, suede finish and crackle puffs to achieve a variety of treatments. To find out more, please speak with your sales consultant who can explain the process, costs and garments best suited for this stellar print technique.
Where neon rules the day, glow in the dark ink can rule the night. And, a little goes a long way. Our specialty ink can be seen from hundreds of feet away and is not recommended for sleepwear – it may keep the wearer awake at night. This deco technique has been around for years but recent upgrades in the crystal technology make it even brighter for lasting impact. Glows come in color choices, too, like blue, green, yellow and orange. At a modest price premium, you can achieve a stellar branding statement with imprinting that gives your design around the clock visibility. Contact us today to see what glow inks could do for your apparel!
