Print Techniques
Foil
Foil is a two part process that first requires a layer of ahdhesive gel to be printed on the garment. This adhesive is cured, and then a sheet of foil is heat-pressied onto the adhesive. The foil adheres only to the adhesive, which leaves a metallic sheen to the design.
We recomend against using foil on designs with very fine detail. The process of heat-pressing means that the ink re-melts in order for the foil to adhere to it. This pressure used during the heat-pressing may cause small open areas to close up.
Metallic Printing
Do you have that one design that you want to make pop with metallic ink? Our metallic silver and gold finishes produce a great bright shiny look when printed on your garments.
Whether it be metallic silver, glitter or shimmer inks, this is a more cost effective method than foil and still creates a stunning finish.
CMYK Process Printing
This is probably the most complex of the printing processes and it's a technique that we can proudly say, wtth many years of experience, we do very well. Here we take a full colour photograph or image and break it down into its four constituent colors; cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The printing process uses combinations of these four colours to recreate the full tonal and colour range of the original image.
Simulated Process Printing
This technique combines standard 4 colour process printing with spot colour printing. This is done by printing spot colors with halftone colors which combine to create the colors of the original image. Spot colours are used to intensify the overall look of the print or when specific PMS colours are required in areas of the print. This process may also be used when 4 colour process printing is unable to reproduce a colour the customer whishes to be dominant on the final print.
Spot Colour Printing
Spot Colour printing is the most common form of screen printing tee shirts. Spot colour printing can be as simple as a one colour print, or as complex as a 12 colour print. This will produce a very vibrant solid "spot" colours, that can be matched to PMS references. Printing in spot colors is helpful in achieving opacity on darker garments. The term Spot Color actually describes the process itself - this is where each individual color in a design is separated and printed separately.
Grayscale Printing
This is a simple way of printing full images as grayscales or halftones. Best results are achieved on white garments. This will also produce a softer feeling print when printed directly onto the garment, as there's no need for an underbase.
Flock
Flock is another premium printing technique similar to foil. It is a two part process where a layer of adhesive gel is printed, and the flock is then heat-pressed onto the adhesive. Flock is available in a range of colours, and features a velvety surface. It offers a high end premium look to your garments.
Textured Printing
Wether it be high density or puff printing, we offer various print techiques that produce a textured 3D effect to your designs. Puff printing requires an ink that "puffs-up" when exposed to heat, providing a raised print effect. High Density printing, unlike puff printing, holds a very sharp edge. The ink does not "puff" when exposed to heat, rather, special screens are required in order to lay thick deposits of ink, producing a sharp defined edge.
Vintage Effects
We all have a favourite, well-worn old t-shirt in our wardrobe. Distressed screen printing will give a soft vintage/retro look to your garments. This can be acheieved in various ways, whether it be the choice of inks that we use, or the detailed distressing effects that we can add to your artwork - we can make your garment look like one you picked up in a cool vintage store.