12 May 2017
Introduction to Basic Printing Techniques
There are different types of printing techniques available for different materials and purposes. Some of these would be:
Direct to Garment (DTG)
A T-shirt printing method that prints a full colour image directly onto the T-shirt with a modified industrial inkjet printer. The ink is printed directly onto the fabric resulting in a soft feel printed image with multiple colours.
Advantages of DTG printing:
- Soft hand feel
- Long lasting prints
- Able to print full colour gradient image and photographs
- No cracking or fading
Hot Stamping
Using a stamping block, a roll of foil, heat, and a lot of pressure, this printing method stamps an imprint onto the materials’ surface, at the same time transferring a layer of foil into the indentation.
Advantages of Hot Stamping:
- Can be used on different types of material because it is flexible
- Can be operated manually without much complex interventions needed
- Sharp outlines
- Embossed print
- High contrast
Silkscreen / Screen printing
Offers a wide range of brightly coloured inks and often used for printing T-shirts, posters, and other promotional items. Mesh is used to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas that are made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil.
Advantages of Silkscreen / Screen printing:
- Long lasting
- Bulk orders are cheap
- Vivid colours, especially for outdoor use
- Can be used on a large variety of materials and objects
Heat Transfer
The process of applying heat-applied materials to a substrate with a heat press. The heat-applied materials contain a heat-sensitive adhesive on one side. When heat is applied by the heat press, the materials adhere to the substrate it is being applied to.
Advantages of Heat Transfer:
- Clean and environmentally safe
- Operators have greater control and flexibility
- Several colours can be used if they are not overlapped
- Cheap for small runs of printing
- Photographic material can be pressed
Engraving
Engraving is the most expensive as well as most time-consuming printing technique. The engraved image is first carved by hand or machine onto a metal plate. The engraved spaces are filled with ink and the paper pressed on top of the plate.
Advantages of Engraving:
- Can capture details nicely
- White ink is printed beautifully
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