The process of apparel printing involves the application of a design or image to a garment using one of two printing methods. The first method is screen printing, which involves creating a stencil for the design and then loading the shirt onto a manual press. The second method is sublimation printing, which uses a special ink to transfer a design directly onto the fabric. Both methods involve different steps and require different equipment.

Direct to garment (DTG) printing uses a modified inkjet printer and special ink that transfers onto the garment. This method is best suited for full-colour designs and photographs. However, it requires special chemical pretreatment before the printing process can begin. There are also newer machines that combine screen and digital printing, which have significantly reduced the time and cost of apparel printing.

Direct-to-garment printing is one of the fastest and most efficient ways of printing garments. This process involves spraying a special ink onto the garment and allowing it to soak into the fabric. Though this method has only been around for twenty years, it has revolutionized the fashion industry. This method also allows for unlimited color combinations in a single design, which helps designers to make better use of their time and money.

Another popular option for apparel printing is hybrid printing, which combines screen printing and DTG printing. A hybrid printing line includes an automatic screen printing press and a CMYK digital printer, which can print graphics onto the fabric. The combined methods are incredibly flexible and can be utilized for short to medium-scale production runs. They are also suited for custom designs. On-demand apparel companies and entertainment merchandise brands are some of the industries that benefit from hybrid printing.

Screen printing is the most traditional and widely used method of apparel printing. It requires only a few minutes to print a design. However, screen printing is expensive, especially for small quantities. Also, it is not very eco-friendly. This method uses a lot of water and some inks are not biodegradable.

DTG and screen printing have been at war for some time. DTG is more efficient in the long run and allows for on-demand fulfillment of orders. Screen printing is more expensive, but it produces high-quality prints. If you’re thinking about starting a new business in the apparel industry, screen printing may be the best choice.

Screen printing allows for multiple colors to be printed on a fabric. The process is also durable. In contrast, heat transfer printing uses heat to transfer designs onto a surface. In both methods, you need a heat press, which can be either an iron box or a machine. For best results, choose 100% cotton and avoid 50/50 blends.