Printing types
Which printing process is used to print our items?
For our T-shirts and co.
The DTG printing process (digital textile printing)
is comparable to the functional principle of an inkjet printer. While the latter prints a sheet of paper, a DTG printing machine finishes textiles. Highly developed print heads and special inks are used to transfer the motif precisely onto the textile fibers. Depending on the printing system, the individual printing processes that influence the printing result differ. In general, the DTG printing process can be divided into four main processes: pre-treatment, design, printing and fixing.
Colourfast print results and special colours
Colorfast print results can only be achieved to a limited extent in DTG printing, with the exception of solid color printing in black or white. The reason for the limitation is primarily that the material is not standardized and normed. The complex interaction between textile pretreatment, printing inks and drying can lead to minimal fluctuations, which are, however, hardly noticeable to the naked eye. In addition, differences between different printing machines can also lead to deviations.
For our shoes and cups:
Sublimation printing also known as “thermo-sublimation printing”
What is sublimation printing? In short, sublimation printing is a process in which you transfer text, logos and even complex photo motifs to the final product using a sublimation printer, a transfer press, special foil and heat-sensitive ink.
In chemistry, sublimation is a process in which a substance is converted from its solid state directly into a gaseous state (or vice versa). You can use this phenomenon in the printing sector. There is a good reason why sublimation printing is also called "thermo-sublimation printing" . "Thermo-" means that warmth or heat is involved. Let's take a closer look:
- First, your desired motif is transferred in mirror image onto a so-called transfer film using a sublimation printer .
- The transfer film is then placed on the printing surface of your choice – this can be a T-shirt, a fabric bag or even jogging pants!
- And then things get hot: The transfer press heats the film for around 1 minute to up to 230 °C . This process, namely the heating of the color and the resulting change in its state of aggregation from solid to gaseous, gives the printing process its name. In "thermo-sublimation printing", the color is literally evaporated into the material, ie the gases bond firmly with the textile fibers. The result is a "fade-resistant" product, precise in detail, color-intensive and durable - ideal for indoor and outdoor use!
Good to know: Sublimation printing is considered environmentally friendly because neither solvents nor binding agents are used.
For our DIN A1- DIN A4 posters
LFP digital printing
LFP stands for large format printing, i.e. large format printing on different materials . From a certain format onwards, it is worthwhile to use large format printing. Up to this format, for example, posters can be produced more easily using classic digital printing.
