When deciding between digital printing on fabric and screen print for your next apparel run, its important to understand the unique benefits each has to offer. DTG printing is typically favored for those fast, low run, high color count jobs; whereas, screen print will offer a better range of color, more flexibility in what it can print on, better hand on darks and a much larger printable size range.  As technology advances, the gap between these two methods will narrow.

Below are 5 elements to understand before choosing between screen print and DTG:

How it Works

Foil is a post-printing application, which can be applied on a press for certain affects. The means the design is printed first and a sheet of metallic foil is heat pressed during the second step. When the sheet is removed, foil adheres to any area printed in standard plastisol ink or a specially formulated foil adhesive clear ink. 

Tri-blend t-shirts are one of the most popular options for apparel printing. Tri-blend t-shirts are made up of three materials—cotton, polyester, and rayon, and look great when decorated. The fabric is super-soft and comfortable, making tri-blends a popular choice. But although they’re a great option for wearing, there are some challenges screen printing on them. Here are some things to consider when sending tri-blend orders to your decorator.

When you say red, you could mean any number of a gazillion shades. When you say red 485c, you mean one very specifc shade. Pantone® colors are used to select and accurately communicate color in a variety of industries. Every good screen print company uses an ink mixing system that corresponds with the Pantone® Matching System. However, despite the exact nature of Pantone® colors, what you see is not always what you will get when it comes to textile screen printing.

Inks Are Your Friend...And Fabrics Are Your Best Friend

The inks used in direct-to-garment printing are water-based inks and act like any liquid when it comes to application on fabric. Any garments that have a Teflon or stain resistant coating will repel the inks used for digital printing in the same way they are designed to repel coffee, cranberry juice, or any other liquid. Many aprons, tablecloths, and work uniforms, such as in the mechanic or food service industry, are not suited for direct-to-garment printing.

In general, an embroidery art department can accept any type of artwork you provide right down to a sketch on a napkin. The important thing to remember is this: the better the art, the better the embroidery. The process for converting artwork to embroidery is called digitizing and the artists that do it are called - you guessed it - digitizers.

Embroidery Backing - A World of Options

Nothing can enhance or ruin embroidery more than what backing your decorator chooses to use. Here are some tips and things you should know about embroidery backings before making an apparel order.

Backings serve to “stabilize” the garment while it is being embroidered. They are placed behind where the stitching will go on a fabric to prevent the fabric from being squeezed, pinched, or bunched. Without backing, the precision needed for embroidery would not be possible and finished products would look “mushy” and lack detail.