Screen Printing is a printing method where a screen mesh is the catalyst to move ink onto a base material, blocked out by an agent that is stenciled to conform to the desired image you are printing. Only one color is laid down per screen, so multiple screens are required to create a design with multiple colors. The screen mesh is typically made from nylon or polyester, and must be mounted on a frame and under tension, usually measured in Newton per centimeter. A process of selectively exposing certain areas to UV light, after the entire screen has an emulsion spread across, where the UV light hardens the area that are unexposed is required in order to form the stencil for your screen. You may have to even block out any pin-holes where the emulsion didn’t dry all the way with tape of a block-out pen. The screen is then placed atop of the base material, and is flooded with ink. A squeegee is then ran across the screen to fill in all the holes of the screen with ink.
DIRECT TO GARMENT | DTG IN BUFFALO
DTG is the acronym commonly used for the Direct to Garment Printing method that uses digital printing technology to lay specialized inks directly into the fabrics of garments. The inks are water-based, so printing on fabrics made of organic threads like linen, bamboo, hemp, and cotton work best. But first the fabrics must undergo a pre-treatment process so that the water-based inks adhere completely, followed by being heat-pressed so not only does everything adhere, but also causing the threads of the garment to lay down moveable threads to deliver a more level printing surface. After a successful pre-treatment, the garment is loaded onto a platen that keeps the garment in a secure place for the printer to jet ink directly into the garment by the print head. The first commercial DTG printer was invented in 1996, but the market for DTG printing did not take off until 2004 when the technology started to advance a bit more. In 2013 the DTG technology was revolutionized again, where the market has continued to grow ever since, and will keep growing more and more as the technology advances.
DIGITAL HEAT FX | HEATFX TRANSFER
The technical term for Digital Heat FX is thermal-transfer printing, and is a digital method of printing where material is joined to transfer paper by dissolving a layer of ribbon so it remains bonded to the material you are transferring onto. Wax is melted using a specific printer onto a particular substrate, which could be cloth resources, a card, paper or something manmade. Three key mechanisms are employed to achieve the thermal-transfer print procedure. These three are the specialized substrate designed to withstand heat, a carbon ribbon which holds the ink, and a non-movable print head. All three components are joined together with the ink as the medium in the middle.203 dpi, 300 dpi and 600 dpi (dots-per-inch) are the existing resolution options for a print head. Individually each dot is referred, and when a dot is displayed as a 1, it instantly warms up to a predetermined temperature, which is adjustable. The wax- or resin-based ink, after warmed by the element instantly on the ribbon’s side of the film facing the substrate, and this procedure, in arrangement with the continuous force being spread over by the print-head securing apparatus instantly transfers it onto the substrate. When a dot is displayed as a 0, the print head instantly is cooled, where the ribbon thus halts melting/printing. When the substrate is ejected out of the printer, it is entirely arid and can be used instantly.
SUBLIMATION | POLYESTER PRINTING
Dictionary.com defines sublimation as: “to change the form, but not the essence. Physically speaking, it means to transform solid to vapor; psychologically, it means changing the outlet, or means, of expression from something base and inappropriate to something more positive or acceptable.” Sublimation printing is a detailed procedure of printing that initially includes printing onto a distinct piece of paper, then transmitting that duplicate onto a different substrate. The ink splits into the substrate when warmed up. A sublimated image will not fracture or shed its image. This process is best used on polyester substrates, or on items with a polymer coating. But since it is a dying process, it really only works with a lighter colored substrate.
EMBROIDERY IN BUFFALO
Embroidery is used on virtually any substrate that can hold when a needle is drawn through. This professional look was invented a long time ago, and gives an elegant print that is proven to last. Freedom Expressions uses the latest technology including polyneon threads which are built to sustain.
IN CONCLUSION
There are pros and cons to each printing process, and it really depends on various factors for which process is best suited for your specific needs. These factors include size of job, image being printed, and the substrate being used to print on. We are located right outside of Buffalo, NY and are ready to hear from you.
