Screen Printing
Solid T deeply values our customers and we are committed to meeting your apparel needs. Below is a description of our screen printing styles. If you have any questions about the screen printing process, feel free to contact us.
Screen printing with plastisol ink is the most common technique when ordering custom apparel. Plastisol is a plastic based ink that fuses with the fibers of a garment to create a print that will last the life of the given product. This type of screen printing is popular among schools, church groups, and corporations.
When using plastisol on dark colored apparel, we generally require an under base, which is a white layer of ink under all of the other colors so that those colors come out vibrant and bright. Otherwise, your print will look a bit washed-out and you will be able to see the shirt color through it. This is standard practice among all screen printing companies and the additional screen will be factored into your total costs.
Discharge printing is the process of bleaching the dyes out of a garment leaving the natural color to show through. This process also results in a very soft hand so the artwork feels as if it were part of the shirt. Discharge printing is used primarily on dark garments and works best with 100% cotton apparel. If you want your custom apparel to have a softer feel with a vintage look, this may be a good option for you.
Waterbase printing is similar to discharge but is used for white and light colored shirts. The inks are dyed into the fabric as
opposed to inks printed on top of a garment. Due to the softer hand of waterbase printing, a shirt with a very large and solid design printed on the front will feel light and thin, while sometimes large heavy plastisol printed designs are referred to as “bulletproof” because of the thickness of the layers of ink. If you prefer custom apparel with a soft feel on light colored shirts, this will be a great option.
* Note: There are definitely some notable benefits to discharge and waterbase printing. At the same time, we also want to clearly communicate some unique aspects of the process so you are informed as a valued customer.
Color matching with these processes is less precise compared to plastisol inks. Reasonable variation in color can occur due to a number of factors including the reaction of a garment dye, base color of the natural fiber, tightness of the fabric weave and amount of ink deposited. Feel free to contact us if you would like more information on discharge and waterbase printing.
Foil is typically used for customers who want their apparel to have an extra shine and pop on their artwork. After printing the plastisol inks, we take a very thin metallic foil sheet and heat press it to the garment. The adhesive that keeps it together will melt and the foil will stick on the apparel.
Compared to other styles of screen printing, foil does not last as long and can start to peel after only a few washes if shirts are not taken care of. We highly recommend that these garments be washed inside out in cold water and then hang dried to extend the life of the apparel.
You probably have noticed that oversized graphic tees are now quite popular. We can print up to an 20″ by 28″ graphic on an XL shirt using our automatic press. Please keep in mind that the print may go over seams or edges and can cause a slight alteration in the original artwork.
If you would like a custom tag cut and sewn onto your apparel to brand your clothing line, just let us know. We provide this service and also offer fold and poly bagging as well.
We can deliver and ship any size order nationwide. Once you place an order, just give us a call to review the possible service charge associated with your shipment.