DECORATION METHODS
Embroidery
Embroidery is a very flexible method of decoration enabling you to have the same logo on a number of different items & is ideally suited to most types of apparel, hats, caps & bags. Embroidery is also a cost-effective method of decoration if you are only requiring small quantity or you have many colours in your logo.
Embroidery is best suited to simple logos. While complex logos are possible, they tend to look untidy. Embroidery is charged by stitch count, so the more complex or the larger the logo the more expensive.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is mainly used on apparel, bags, stickers, magnets, stubby holders & corflute signs. We can print up to 14 spot colours on garments or full colour process is also available. With the popularity of 100% polyester fabrics & polyester blends, some garments will require special bases under the main colours to prevent migration of the garment colour into the print.
There is also a range of specialty inks such as discharge (where the dye from the shirt is removed), puff, glitter, glow in the dark & metallic inks. Generally darker colour garments will require a base for optimum print result.
The base fabric will also have a lot to do with the final result. T-shirts aint T-shirts, some print better than others. While you may not be able to notice the fluffy surface on your T-shirt unprinted, once its printed you may notice the fibres. Hoodies & other fleece garment are also difficult to print particularly artwork with very fine detail. Vinyl transfers are often sold as screen printing, but they are not. Transfers are applied to the garments with heat press, where screen printing is ink pushed through a screen and becomes part of the garment. Art will generally be required as Vector art.
Not sure what vector art is? We can help with this!
Call to discuss your needs!
Plastisol Transfers
Plastisol transfers are an economical method of decoration & mainly used for headwear & bags.
Plastisol transfers are screen printed in multiples on a special paper in reverse. Glue is then added then heat pressed onto the item.
Artwork generally requires vector art.
Not sure what vector art is? We can help with this!
Call to discuss your needs!
Sublimation
Dye-sublimation printing dye is heated until it turns into a gas, at which point it diffuses onto the garments and solidifies for a permanent fade resistant finish. It’s mainly used sports garments such as football jumpers, netball dresses, basketball singlets, soccer uniforms, cricket gear etc.
Stubby holders, coffee mugs, sports bottles & a range of other promotional products with a special polyester coating can also be sublimated.
Sublimation is a great option if you have many colours or photos in your design.
DTG- Direct To Garment
DTG or Direct to garment printing is a great process if the art has many colours, tones, photos & gradients etc.
DTG is not an economical process but due to its minimal set up costs it is often more economical than screen printing when many colours are involved, particularly if the quantity is small. Screen printing would require multiple screens to achieve the same result.
DTG also reproduces fine detail well. The main limitation at this point in time is the limitation to 100% cotton or very high cotton content garments. Some printers are now able to print DTG on polyester although this is still quite new. The result on fleece such as hoodies is not as good as on t.shirts. The smoother the fabric the better.
While most t.shirts may feel smooth some are better than others & we generally select certain brands when doing DTG. The fine fuzz often becomes apparent after printing.
The cost of the print is based on whether its going on a white or darker coloured garment , quantity & the size of the print. DTG print is also very soft to handle & but is not as durable as screen print when constantly washed.
Full Colour Vinyl Transfers
Full colour vinyl heat press transfers are great for multi-colour & complex logos that screen printing may be too expensive or the logo is too involved to embroider neatly. Photos are also possible. Vinyl transfers have come a long way & are generally fairly robust if printed & applied correctly. Vinyl transfer cost is based on size, so the bigger they are the more expensive they are. Volume also plays a part in the pricing. Polyester fabric requires a special vinyl to prevent the colour of the shirt migrating into the transfer when heat pressed.
Vinyl Transfers
Our in house heat press transfers are great for small runs of single colour logos & some less complex multi-colour logos. Individual names & numbers for sports uniforms are another common use for transfers. The vinyl is cut on a plotter & then the waste is hand weeded out with a tool that looks like something a dentist would use, leaving the part to be heat pressed on a sticky carrier film. This is then heat pressed on to the item.
Transfers are often sold as screen printing, but they are not. Transfers are applied to the garments with heat press, where screen printing is ink pushed through a screen and becomes part of the garment.
If your garments are polyester, we need to use a special vinyl which is only available in White, Yellow & Aussie Gold at this stage.
We also have stretch vinyl available for stretch garments like leggins & high bond for some special applications like bags. We have other specialty vinyls such as flock, glitter & sports mesh as well.
In-House Sublimation
We are able to offer in house placement sublimation for small runs of white or Hi Vis yellow T-Shirts, polos & singlets. This process is ideally suited to smaller quantities or if there is a lot of colours in the design where screen printing is not viable.
Photos are also no problem. We can also offer small run coffee mugs, mouse mats, stubby holders & lanyards which are ideal for personalised gifts, bucks & hens dos.
Pad Printing
Pad printing is mainly used on smaller items & where the area is difficult to get to such as pens & smaller corporate gifts. Each colour is printed separately so the more colours in the art the greater the cost.
Art is required as vector art. Not sure what vector art is? We can help with this!
Laser Engraving
Laser engraving is mostly used on smaller metal products such as pens, key rings, flasks etc…
Laser engraving can often be a very subtle effect, as a lot of products are silver and engraved silver. To overcome the subtle effect black oxidizing is available as an option on a lot of products to make your logo stand out. One colour decoration only.
Art is required as vector art. Not sure what vector art is? We can help with this!
Epoxy Doming
Full colour design covered with a durable weather proof epoxy dome. Sizes & colours are customized to suit your design. They are available as an individual item to be applied to your product or as a decoration on a range of our promotional products.
Epoxy domed stickers are great for product branding & give a high-end look. Epoxy domed stickers are often used on showers screens & windows, vehicles, computers, beer taps & fridges or anywhere you need to take your logo to the next level. All epoxy stickers have a high bond adhesive.
Supasub
Supasub is a combination embroidery – sublimation patch.
It’s great for applications where you want the look of embroidery, but the art is to complex.
Supasub can also be cut to shape. Great for beanies, caps, bags & garments.
Minimum 20 units. Logo size restriction can be drawback on some items.
Direct to film
Direct to film Is the latest in premium transfers. Great reproduction of art allowing for super fine detail & free floating text without the need for weeding.
Super durable & flexible, it can be applied to garments, caps, bags, umbrellas & more.
Eco friendly ink & no vinyl. Ideal for small or large art. Minimum 5 units.
Supaetch
Supaetch is a new on-trend decoration. The laser-etched suede patch is laser-cut then over locked onto a range of products like, headwear, bags, blankets, beanies and scarves. The stylish finish is subtle yet effective, showcasing both the product and your brand in a professional manner with a high perceived value.
It is available in 11 different colour suedes and with the ability to select either a contrast stitch or a matching stitch, the colour is your choice.