Screen printing is a process we are VERY familiar with! We know the limitations, and the cool stuff you may not have thought of when it comes to using it for your decoration method.

Art Requirement: For spot color projects, we need vector files. Process color jobs require raster artwork at 300 dpi – to size. Click HERE if you need more information regarding art.

Variables That Affect Price:
Quantity – How many items will be printed?
Number of print locations – It’s possible that both sides of a bag will be printed, or the front, back, and a sleeve of a t-shirt.
Number of colors per print – This along with quantity are the biggest variables.
Garment color – White is typically cheaper to print than a colored garment, especially dark colors.
Image size – This is only a factor on “jumbo” prints – images larger than 15″ x 15″.

Embroidery is a wonderful high end look that can be produced cost effectively in large quantities as well as small.  Digitizing the sew file is a one time process, so small reorders do not incur a reset up charge. 

Art Requirement:  Vector is always best when possible.  Otherwise a high resolutions raster file can be used to digitize the sew file.  Click  HERE if you need more information regarding art.

Variables That Affect Price:  
Quantity – How many items will be embroidered?
Number of stitches per design – Unlike screen printing, the variable is coverage rather than number of colors.  5000 stitches costs the same to embroider whether your design is one color or six!
Limitations –  Although amazing detail can be achieved, there are limitations with embroidery and sometimes designs must be modified to achieve the desired effect.  For example, very small lettering may need to be enlarged.

Tackle Twill Embroidery is another spiffy option. 

In terms of production, this is sort of a hybrid between vinyl heat transfers and embroidery.  Material is cut, and a sew file is produced to sew the fabric to the garment.  There are two variable then – the square inch size of the cut material, and the stitch count of the embroidery portion.

There are three types of Heat Transfers available for decoration:

Vinyl Heat Transfers

Art Requirement:  Because vinyl transfers are cut, art files must be vector.  Click HERE for more information regarding artwork.

Variables That Affect Price:  
Quantity – How many transfers will your project require?
Number of Square Inches per design – Regardless of coverage, cost is calculated by  multiplying height by width.  If the design is two colors (for example two color numbers) – expect that cost to double.
Limitations –  Vinyl transfers are great for simple designs.  They’re used often for sports uniforms.

Digital Heat Transfers

Art Requirement:  Vector art is always great but a high resolution raster file is also suitable for this process.  Click HERE for more information regarding artwork.  Artwork is digitally printed onto transfer material and then cut for application. 

Variables That Affect Price:  
Quantity – How many transfers will your project require?
Number of Square Inches per design – Regardless of coverage, cost is calculated by  multiplying height by width.  If the design is two colors (for example two color numbers) – expect that cost to double.
Limitations –  Digital transfers can be very detailed, but they do require a border for cutting.  In this example, the transfer was applied to a white garment, so the border was barely visible.

Screen Printed Heat Transfers

Art Requirement:  Vector art is always great but a high resolution raster file is also suitable for this process.  Click HERE for more information regarding artwork.  Artwork is screen printed onto transfer material and then applied with a heat press.   

Variables That Affect Price:  
Quantity – How many transfers will your project require?
Number of Square Inches per design – Typically, transfers are priced based on transfer size, and number of colors in the design.  In the example to the left, different logo sizes were ganged on one sheet for a cost effective solution. 
Limitations –  For larger quantities, traditional screen printing directly onto the garment is more cost effective.

Direct to Garment (DTG) is great for small run, complex multi-color designs.  Looking to put a family photo on shirts for a reunion?  This is your process.

Art Requirement:  Vector art, or high resolution raster art are both suitable for this process.  The final art file should be a PNG file (with transparent background), close to size at 300 DPI, and RGB colors.  If you can supply it this way, great!!  If not, we can prep your artwork.

Variables That Affect Price:  
Quantity – This process is conducive to small quantities.  We’ll let you know when it’s time to consider screen printing instead.
Number of Square Inches per design – Coverage is the issue since the ink is a costly component in this process.

Sublimation is a totally cool process that you often see in team uniform printing.

Art Requirement: Vector files are always best. Raster artwork needs to be at 300 dpi and allow wiggle room for sizing. Art should be saved with colors as CMYK. Click HERE if you need more information regarding art.

Variables That Affect Price:
Quantity – How many items will be sublimated?
Size of sublimated image – Many items are decorated all over.

Other:
Fabric Content – Sublimation requires fabric that is 100% polyester. There are so many styles of performance fabric items that meet this criteria now!