Understanding Different Methods of T-Shirt Printing
It is important for you to note that there are different types of T-Shirt printing processes used when you want to print your t-shirts. The most common type of printing is called screen printing. This is used mainly by individuals as well as small businesses for the production of t-shirts in custom and small batches. Screen printing is available at a relatively low cost, and very little special equipment is needed for the at-home t shirt printer London jobs. Heat transfer and sublimation are the other types of methods used. Sublimation is one of the most complicated methods and this should be done on materials such as acrylic, which are synthetic. Even though the final product might not last long, heat transfer is normally an easy process and it is faster than screen printing.
Heat transfers are normally done on white t-shirts to avoid problems with conflicting colors. However, transfers can be put onto any color that the t-shirt box printer desires. This is one of the fastest methods of T-Shirt printing, as a pre-made transfer design is usually heated and applied to a t-shirt. You can do heat transfers at home using ironing boards and household irons, but special equipment is made available for the production of large batches of shirts. While this is usually a fast and easy option, it is not the most durable because the transfers tend to start cracking after some time and lead to the degradation and fading of images.
Screen printing is normally done with inks and mesh screens that are specially treated using chemicals that ensure images are burned onto them. Usually, the t-shirt box Liverpool screen is coated with a substrate that hardens after exposure to light. Images printed on transparency are placed on the screens and the screens are exposed to light thus causing the exposed substrate to harden with the substrate hidden by transparency remaining soft. The soft substrate is then washed away for the production of an image on the screen. The screen is normally placed at the top of the t-shirt and the ink is then pressed through the opening onto the hard substrate. Investment in this equipment is usually minimal and the screens are usually washed and re-coated with substrate to burn different images.
One of the most durable and fastest T-Shirt printing methods is sublimation. This is, however, a limited process that is usually costly. Usually, this method is used on synthetic materials such as nylon and investing on the equipment is more costly. This involves heating the ink into gas and it is then transferred onto the fabric. This method requires the use of heating elements, substrates and special inks that one can use to drive the cost of a garment up by a significant amount.
