Q: What began as a trickle in the 1950s and is now a world-wide phenomenon?
A: Printed T-shirts.
In the early days, prints on T-shirts were low quality and when washed they often faded and peeled. Modern technology, however, in the form of digital fabric printing has changed all that.
Types of Digital Fabric Printing
- Screen printing
- Direct to garment (DTG) digital printing
- Dye-sublimation printing
- Digital transfer printing
These are all quite different processes and are suitable for a variety of materials such as clothing, bags, or stubby coolers. Brisbane screen printing is best for large orders as the set-up process is complicated. On the other hand, digital transfer printing is ideal for small quantities or even one-off orders as the process is quick, easy, and clean.
How Are Digital Transfers Produced?
The artwork, either supplied by the customer or designed by the digital printing company, is loaded onto the computer. Once the artwork is correct, it is printed out in the number required and, depending on the type of inks used, may be left to dry or sent on immediately to the next step. The transfers are cut using a vinyl plotter, and they are then weeded. This part of the process takes the longest time as it involves the manual removal of the excess paper around the printed image. Once the weeding is finished, the transfers are laminated and can be applied to the fabric. Application can be done by the customer with an iron or by the print company using a heat press.
Caring for Printed T-Shirts
Once a T-shirt has undergone digital fabric printing in the form of a digital transfer, it is easy to keep the print in almost pristine condition if the following is observed:
- Check the care label in the shirt.
- Turn the shirt inside out for washing and ironing.
- Machine wash the shirt in warm, not hot, water.
- Hang to dry, no tumbling or dry cleaning.
To find out more about Brisbane digital printing, contact Everything Vibrant on (07) 3341 1194 or through their website.
