What is Screen Printing, and for what items is it best used? 

Screen printing is a method of duplicating an image or design by passing ink through a mesh screen stencil onto a surface like fabric, paper, metal, wood, or plastic. It’s ideal for apparel, and for things like stickers, posters, signs, and other promotional items like pens and mugs. Every color in your design will have its own screen. With apparel, if printing on a dark color item or on 100% Polyester fabrics, an extra step is required. The first color will be a white ink base. This underbase helps prevent the garment from absorbing the colored ink and leaves it on top, so the perception of that color remains as it should appear. Then the next color will be lined up or registered to print in the correct spot. When finished, the ink will be cured in a dryer.

What is Embroidery, and for what items is it best used? 

Whereas screen printing prints onto the fabric, Embroidery is the process in which an image or design is stitched into the fabric. Embroidery is ideal for lots of items including those where screen printing may not be appropriate, including textured polo shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, and hats. Embroidery designs need to be digitized, or programmed, in a special format for embroidery equipment to read and plot the stitches. You simply need to supply a clean, clear image or photo in just about any format, and we do the rest!

What is Digital Printing?

Digital printing is the process of printing digital-based images directly onto a variety of media substrates. There is no need for a printing plate, or screens, unlike with offset or screen printing. Digital files such as PDFs can be sent directly to the digital printing press to print on paper, fabric, and other substrates.

What do we need from you for Art file?  Vector vs. Raster, etc.

Vector artwork is an image created of points and paths. This results in artwork that is editable, scalable, and able to be separated for spot color reproduction. Common Vector file formats include: .ai, .eps, and .pdf (NOTE: these files should not also contain embedded raster artwork).

Raster artwork is an image created of many pixels. This results in artwork that is not editable, scalable, or able to be separated for spot color reproduction. Common Raster file formats include: .jpg, .bmp, .psd, and .tif.

For most printing jobs, we need vector artwork.

We use the Pantone Matching System to determine which inks to use. If you do not have the PMS numbers for each color we can try to estimate the color visually and send you a digital proof but please note that each computer monitor may provide a slightly different representation of the exact color.

Can Photos be printed on garments?

Yes. Photos are printed using a digital printing process. For that process we need raster artwork, which is created of many pixels and cannot be color separated. Common raster formats include .jpg, .png, .psd, and .tif  Photo printing is best on smooth fabrics like tee shirts and sweatshirts.

What size should your design be?

Set up your design to fit on the smallest size you are ordering.  For example, If your order consists of infant t-shirts as well as adult XXL, you need to size art to the infant size (which would appear tiny on the XXL). Options at this point: you may require 2 sets of screens (costlier) or consider printing the smaller sizes as digital prints. Generally 5.5” – 9” wide for youth sizes and 9”- 14” wide for adult t-shirts are reasonable dimensions.

How to submit artwork? 

We prefer to receive you artwork through our website or email.

Follow these guidelines to avoid delays or potential extra charges:

1. Include a .jpg, .png, or .pdf for reference

2. Convert all fonts to paths/outlines

3. Include or embed all placed images

4. Submit artwork at actual size

5. Identify all spot colors (PMS )

6. Allow for bleed if necessary

7. Submit the original file if possible

8. Never flatten/merge the layers of a .psd

9. Indicate the cut/die line clearly

10. Proof addresses, phone numbers and other informtion

11. Verify art meets all Artwork Guidelines

Do you have any questions? Contact us and we are here to help!