How to Create Custom Screen Printing Apparel for Teams and Groups
Screen Printing Apparel for Teams and Groups
Whether you’re a weekend kickball league, fundraiser or business team, t-shirts are a great way to bring together your members and foster a sense of camaraderie. There are many ways to print your t-shirts, but one of the most cost-effective is custom screen printing. The printing method works by using a series of individual fine-mesh screens that are printed with inks, one color at a time.
The first step of the process is to select your artwork or design. It’s important to choose designs that are large, crisp and high resolution to ensure the best result. A fabulous screen printer can help tighten up and fix any art that isn’t workable, but it’s always a good idea to have a rough draft of the final design to make sure it will look the way you want it to on the finished shirt.
Next, the artwork is burned to a fine-mesh screen. This is called “exposing.” The screen is then covered with emulsion, and the uncovered parts of the design are hardened by light (check out this video). Once the emulsion is hardened, the rest of the image can be washed away revealing the print. This method requires a separate screen for each color in your design, and for every side of the shirt that you’re printing on. Depending on the number of colors and print locations, this can be very expensive for small orders.
The next step is to register the screens, which is a process that helps to ensure each color lines up correctly when the printing begins. The ink is then pushed through each screen and onto the shirts one color at a time. One of the advantages of screen printing is that it’s very durable and can hold up well over time, but the inks used for digital printing can fade over a long period of time if they aren’t properly cured.
Other options for printing your shirts include heat transfer, embroidery and digital dye sublimation. Digital dye sublimation is a relatively new process, but it’s extremely fast and offers an excellent range of colors and textures. It’s also a great option for bulk orders because it eliminates the need to create separate screens.
Embroidery is another option that’s fast and effective for smaller orders. It’s ideal for items that require a more unique, high-quality finish like hats or polo shirts. Embroidery is very labor-intensive, however, and may not be suitable for any items with too many details or intricate designs.
Another popular and versatile printing option is digital dye sublimation, which uses a combination of heat and pressure to transfer dye directly into the fabric. This technique is also ideal for a variety of materials and products, and it’s suitable for both soft and rigid garments. It’s also highly customizable and is perfect for items with a lot of detail, such as hats or polo shirts. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants their apparel to last as long as possible. custom screen printing apparel