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When
it comes to screen printing,
we do it all.
Below are some of the finishes
we provide:
| •
Discharge |
|
This process
can be used
on its own
to achieve
a nice, natural
imprint. Discharge
printing is
the process
where we print
a chemical
that removes
the die from
the garment,
returning
it to its
original cotton
color. More
commonly,
discharge
printing is
used in order
to print water-based
inks on dark
garments.
When combined
with water-based
inks, you
can achieve
a soft hand
with a multi-color
print on most
dark garments.
Advantages:
Allows for
a very fashionable,
soft hand
on dark garments.
When combined
with water
based inks,
multi-color,
vibrant prints
are possible.
Disadvantages:
Not all garments
are dischargeable.
Not all garments
will discharge
the same,
even within
the same run/box
of garments.
The end result
cannot be
known until
the garment
is fully printed
and run through
the dryer.
The difficulty
results in
slower printing
and higher
rejects compared
to standard
Plastisol
printing. |
|
| •
Foil |
|
Foil stamping
is a special
effect that
gives a brilliant
metallic finish.
It can be
applied to
almost any
apparel substrate
that withstands
the heat and
curing process
of typical
screen-printing.
The main limitation
is that the
foil will
adhere to
Plastisol
ink, so single
color or water-based
imprints are
recommended.
Colors available
depend on
the run size
but are generally
available
in: Gold,
Silver, Copper,
Pink, Red,
Purple, Royal,
and a variety
of psychedelic
swirls. |
|
| •
4
color process |
|
A printing
technique
where the
artwork is
created using
dots (CMYK)
which combine
to create
the full spectrum
of colors
needed for
photographic
prints. This
means a large
number of
colors can
be printed
using only
4 screens,
making the
set-up costs
viable. The
inks are required
to blend and
are more translucent,
meaning a
compromise
with vibrancy
of color.
It is difficult
to achieve
exact PMS
colors with
4cp printing,
but it is
possible to
add additional
spot colors
if needed.
4 color process
is best when
used on white
and light
colored shirts. |
|
| •
Plastisol |
|
Plastisols
are the most
commonly used
inks in screen-printing.
They are particularly
useful for
printing opaque
graphics on
dark fabrics.
Advantages:
Plastisol
inks are recommended
for printing
on colored
fabric. On
lighter and
dark fabric,
Plastisol
is extremely
opaque and
will result
in a bright,
vibrant color.
Plastisol
is the easiest
ink to match
exact PMS
colors and
achieve those
colors on
a wide variety
of colored
garments.
The ink is
made up of
PVC particles
suspended
in a plasticizing
emulsion.
Because of
this, the
ink will not
dry in the
screen, allowing
for long consistent
print runs
with a lower
reject rate.
Disadvantages:
Plastisol
inks result
in a thicker
hand and heavier
imprint. Because
of this, Plastisol
inks are not
recommended
for specialty
applications
like printing
over seams,
collars and
full bleed-offs. |
|
| •
Simulated
Process |
|
Simulated
Process color
images have
a photo-realistic
look but are
not printed
with the process
colors of
CMYK. They
are similar
to process
in desired
effect only.
The color
separations
for simulated
process color
are made up
of halftone
images of
spot colors
like red,
yellow, blue,
etc. They
are often
called "tonal"
or "channel"
separations.
Simulated
process separations
can be printed
on light and
dark shirts.
Because the
inks for simulated
process color
are generally
all-purpose,
semi-transparent
Plastisol
they give
you a bright
print even
when printed
on an underbase
of white ink.
When done
correctly,
simulated
process prints
can be very
photo-realistic
with smooth
gradations
and bright
colors. |
|
| •
Water-based |
|
Water-based
inks are a
more fashion
and environmentally
friendly ink.
The thin viscosity
of the water-based
inks make
them ideal
for specialty
applications
like printing
over collars,
seams and
full bleeds.
Unlike Plastisol,
where the
pigment is
suspended
in PVC, water-based
ink uses H2O
to transport
the pigment
to the garment.
The result
is a very
soft hand
that leaves
a small environmental
footprint.
Advantages:
Soft hand
with very
bright colors
on light colored
garments.
Few chemicals
are involved
in printing
with water-based
ink and they
contain no
PVC or phalates.
Disadvantages:
The ink can
dry quickly
in the screen,
resulting
in a more
labor intensive
print. The
inks are not
as opaque
as Plastisol,
making it
difficult
to print bright
colors on
dark garments
without other
special techniques.
Rejects rates
are typically
higher. |
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