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- Customisation Tips and Tricks
- Printing, Screen Printing, Workwear
Ever wondered what screen printing is and why it remains a go-to printing method after all these years? Let us take you into the fascinating world of this timeless craft! For brands looking to showcase their identity through customised clothing and accessories, screen printing offers premium quality and versatility. With a focus on precision, passion, and excellence, we are dedicated to delivering standout results that bring your vision to life.
Brief History of Screen Printing
Screen printing, also known as silkscreen printing, has a rich history that traces back over a thousand years. Its origins can be found in ancient China, where stencils made from silk were used to transfer intricate designs onto various fabrics. In the early 20th century, screen printing gained popularity in the commercial sector, particularly for printing posters and signage.
During World War II, screen printing emerged as a versatile method for producing durable and vibrant prints on textiles, such as uniforms and flags. The development of photo-reactive chemicals and improved screen mesh materials further revolutionised the process, allowing for more intricate and precise designs.
In the following decades, screen printing became a prominent technique in the art world, embraced by artists like Andy Warhol for its ability to produce bold and vibrant prints. Today, screen printing continues to be a popular choice for custom apparel, promotional products, and artistic creations, combining durability, versatility, and high-quality results that stand the test of time.
Why Choose Screen Printing?
Screen printing offers a distinct, time-tested blend of durability and style. Screen printing results in crisp, vibrant designs that are perfect for intricate logos, eye-catching graphics, and large format artwork. Plus, screen printing lends itself to a broad range of textiles, making it a versatile choice for any garment.
Pros and Cons of Screen Printing
There's a good reason why screen printing has stood the test of time. Let's discuss what the benefits and drawbacks to screen printing.
Pros
- Superior Print Quality - Produces vibrant, long-lasting designs by applying layers of ink directly onto the material. It ensures durability and rich colour quality, making it ideal for creating high-quality apparel.
- Excellent Durability - The ink used in screen printing is cured at high temperatures, making it highly resistant to fading and washing.
- Cost-effective - For large-quantity print runs, this is by far the most cost-effective way to print garments, especially if you only need a single-colour print.
Cons
- Set-up Costs - Compared to other methods like heat transfer or vinyl cutting, screen printing requires a more complex set-up process which involves prepping the screens.
- Colours - There is a limit to the number of colours which can be applied using screen printing, if you have intricate multicolour designs they will be more suited to digital printing methods.
- Requires large volume orders - As the screens have to be prepped for each design and each colour in the design. This means that it is not cost effective to print small orders. For smaller orders the better option would be Direct-to-Garment Printing or Heat Transfers.
How Screen Printing Works
Add your designs to a screen -If you have multiple colours in your designs this means you will need multiple screens - one for each colour.
Prepping the screen - Adding an opaque stencil of each colour of your design on a light-sensitive emulsion whilst adding UV light will harden the emulsion except where the opaque stencil was. Then wash off excess emulsion to reveal your design.
Adding your screen to the carousel - Locking in your design to the carousel means the design will remain in place on every garment. If you have multiple colours in the design this is where each different colour screen will be lined up to complete the full design once each colour is screened onto the garment.
Print your designs! - Once everything is in place this is where our expert printers start the process of printing your designs. Depending on the size of the order, this could be on our large automated multi colour carousel or smaller orders may go to the manual carousel where our screen printers manually print your design.
Showcasing Our Work
Our portfolio is a testament to our capabilities. We produce striking, screen-printed pieces that enhance brand visibility and make a lasting impression.
Special Effects in Screen Printing
Screen printing offers a wide range of special effects that can elevate the visual impact of your designs. These effects add texture, dimension, and unique characteristics to your printed pieces, making them stand out from the crowd. Here are some of the special effects that can be achieved with screen printing:
- Puff: This additive expands while being cured, creating a soft, raised feel on the printed surface.
- Fluorescent: Very bright neon colours, also known as "day glow," that grab attention and add a vibrant pop to your designs.
- Metallic: A popular ink choice for a shiny, metallic look. Typically available in gold, silver, or copper.
- Glitter: This ink contains actual glitter particles, adding a sparkling touch to your design. It is often combined with a clear gel for a more pronounced effect.
- Glow-in-the-dark: Almost clear during the day, this light-activated ink glows in the dark, creating an eye-catching and memorable effect.
- Suede: Similar to puff, but with a soft and fuzzy texture, creating a unique tactile experience.
- High-density: This technique creates raised layers of rubber-like ink, adding a three-dimensional look and feel to your prints.
- Shimmer: This effect creates a reflective, iridescent shine, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your designs.
- Crackle: This effect intentionally splits and cracks during the curing process, resulting in a naturally distressed and aged appearance.
These special effects open up endless possibilities for creative and attention-grabbing designs in various applications. Whether you're looking to add texture, shine, or a unique visual element, screen printing allows you to achieve striking and memorable results.
Common Use Cases for Screen Printing
Corporate Apparel: Our high-quality screen printed polo shirts, jackets, and other corporate apparel ensure your team looks professional and united.
Event Merchandise: Create a memorable impact at your next event with custom screen-printed merchandise. We've created engaging designs for conferences, trade shows, and company retreats, helping brands make a lasting impression on attendees.
Sports Team Kits: Let your team stand out on and off the field with our expertly screen-printed sportswear. Our print quality adds a professional touch to team logos, enhancing both performance and team spirit.
Promotional Wear: Engage your target audience with screen-printed promotional wear. From festival merchandise to band merchandise and everything in between, your eye-catching designs will help your brand leave a lasting impression on your fans and customers.
The GoCustom Clothing Edge
At GoCustom Clothing, we're not just offering screen-printed apparel; we're delivering a promise of excellence. Here's why our services are a cut above the rest:
Innovative Technology:
We operate state-of-the-art automatic screen printing presses, capable of handling both large orders and intricate, multi-colour designs. Whether you need a dozen shirts or a few thousand, our equipment ensures consistent, high-quality results.
Experience & Expertise:
Our team boasts over 25 years of experience in the industry. Their honed skills, combined with our deep knowledge of screen printing techniques, means we can handle even the most complex artwork, ensuring every print matches your vision.
Broad Product Range:
Our product line-up includes an extensive selection of apparel and accessories, including t-shirts, headwear, polo shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, workwear, and more. We also offer a range of sustainable and organic options, reflecting our dedication to environmentally friendly practices.
Diverse Customisation Options:
Aside from screen printing, we also offer embroidery, DTG printing, and vinyl transfer printing. This vast array of customisation options ensures we can meet all your needs under one roof.
So, why stick to merely dreaming about those stunningly vibrant designs, crisp logos, and an apparel line that truly showcases your brand? Whether it's screen-printed corporate attire, event merchandise, or sports kits you need, we've got you covered! Feel the difference of a time-tested method, the quality of state-of-the-art technology, and the assurance of over two decades of industry expertise. With GoCustom Clothing, vibrant, detailed, and durable prints are not just possibilities – they're promises. Embrace the fusion of history, art, and technology. Experience the GoCustom Clothing Edge.
Ready to elevate your brand with custom screen printing? Contact us today and embark on a journey of personalised perfection.