Brand identity drives Supply Crew! YOUR BRAND. YOUR IDENTITY:
Your company, your club, your team. The placement of your name or logo on an item is a powerful way to advertise, and can be included on almost any garment type or promotional marketing item.
Your company, brand, message or logo can be applied to your Supply Crew product. Thoughtfully sourced, either locally, or customised off-shore – included are are just a few of the wide and exciting methods of decoration.
Your guide to popular apparel decoration techniques When you think of promotional apparel, what comes to mind? A T-Shirt with a design screen printed on the front? A polo shirt with a logo embroidered on the left chest? What about a jacket with a small logo or message digitally applied on the sleeve? The possibilities are limitless when it comes to customising bags, caps and clothing for your brand. In fact, there are so many choices that the decision can be overwhelming. There are many ways to decorate apparel. This document will provide you with a greater understanding of the most popular apparel decoration methods – embroidery, screen print and digital transfer – and when to use them for your projects and promotions.
Embroidery
Embroidery is the stitching of a design into the fabric through the use of a high-speed, computer controlled sewing machine. Embroidery is most often recommended for caps, clothing, towels and bags. There is a large range of thread colour options for embroidery, including some Pantone colours, metallics and fluoro colours. Embroidery is generally long lasting which will last the life of the garment. Special effects can be acheived using embroidery such as adding a 3D look to your logo.
Transfer – Digital, Plastisol
Transfers are a decoration method which prints the design onto a special paper first, rather than direct to the product. It is then placed on the product and pressed with a heat press at high temperatures. Once heated, the heat is released, the paper is removed to reveal the design.
Plastisol Transfer uses a special plastisol ink where a digital transfer uses CMYK inks to transfer full colour designs onto the garment. This process allows more complex and vivid images than those produced with traditional screen printing. Digital transfers are recommended for any design that uses lots of shades of colours, or ones that require a photograph.
Screen Printing
Screen printing involves the passing of ink through a screen that has been stretched on a frame, to which a stencil has been applied. The stencil openings determine the image that will be imprinted. Ink is liberally applied to the top of the screen, then pressed through with a squeegee. The ink then must be dried by heat application. Also called silk screening, this decoration method is great for textiles such as t-shirts.
Direct to Garment Printing
Direct to Garment (DTG) printing is when an image is directly digitally printed onto the garment fabric. Much like how your average ink jet printer prints onto paper. It is a quick process for small runs. This is great for a full colour design and also for different blended colours. For best results, 100% cotton garments are preferred.
Dye Sublimation
Dye‐sublimation is used to print full colour into polyester or onto other synthetic surfaces. The images are initially printed on coated heat resistant transfer paper as a reverse image of the final design, which is then transferred into polyester fabric in a heat press. The product is permanently dyed so it can be washed without damaging the quality of the image. Sublimation is perfect for tshirts, stubby holders, mouse mats and some other fabric items.
Embossing/Debossing & Foil Stamping
Embossing is the impressing of an image using a hot metal plate to achieve a raised surface in the material. Debossing is depressing an image using a hot metal plate into the material’s surface so that the image is indented into the product. Foil Stamping uses a similar effect by using coloured foil on the hot plate to transfer the foil to the surface. Using foil stamp with embossing can create a striking 3D effect. These decoration methods are perfect for leather products.
Laser Engraving
Laser engraving is the process of using a computerised laser to etch the surface of an object. It is a long lasting decoration tecnique with subtle but impressive results. Laser engraving is perfect for metal, wood, some plastics and glass.
Pad Printing
Pad Printing is a sophisticated silicone ‘stamping’ process to print a logo onto many surfaces. Pad printing is used for printing on otherwise difficult to print products, with great results. Pad printing can range from a one colour print through to four colours.
Silicone Printing
Silicone Printing is a new and exciting decoration method which allows silicone rubber to be printed onto a surface with a unique raised effect. Wonderfully tactile, this is a decoration method that really has to be felt to be believed!