PRINTING SERVICES
PLASTISOL SCREEN PRINTING
There are two main types of ink that are used for textile printing. Water-based ink utilizes either dyes or pigments in a suspension with water as the solvent. The evaporation of the water is necessary to set or cure the ink. This curing can take place either at room temperature or with the assist of a dryer depending upon the specific water-based ink used and the speed or volume of production.
Plastisol ink is a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) based system that essentially contains no solvent at all. Along with UV ink used in graphic screen printing, it is referred to as a 100% solid ink system. Plastisol is a thermoplastic ink in that it is necessary to heat the printed ink film to a temperature high enough to cause the molecules of PVC resin and plasticizer to cross-link and thereby solidify, or cure. The temperature at which most plastisol for textile printing cures at is in the range of 149 °C to 166 °C (300 °F to 330 °F).
Both types of ink are very popular. However, for the most part, they are used in very different applications. Plastisol is the ink of choice for printing of finished goods such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, and tote bags. Water-based ink is the ink of choice for the printing of yard goods; either in piece form or on the roll.
Credits: Printers’ National Environmental Assistance Center (www.pneac.org)
DIGITAL SCREEN PRINTING
Vinyl heat transfers (rubberized vinyl printing) applied to shirts should last years under normal use. Vinyl transfers are those like: Hologram, Metallic, Glittered, Gamuza, and Glow in the Dark. Here are the common care instructions:
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Do not dry clean
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Machine wash WARM w/mild detergent
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Dry at normal setting
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No chlorine bleach
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Wait 24 hours before first wash
EMBROIDERY
Machine embroidery is the practice of using a sewing machine or specialty embroidery machine to create freeform stitch patterns or personal designs onto various surfaces. These designs are digitized computer files that are read by the embroidery machine and then sewn-out onto the desired surface.
Credits: Embroidery.com
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