It is most commonly used for printing the numbers, names, and logos onto sports T-shirts and clothing. The process uses different types of vinyl which are cut, usually into a number or name, and then applied to the garment using a heat press. These can be done in very small numbers and runs, so one offs are possible and tend to be cheap.
Heat Transfer Vinyl is a material with a heat-activated adhesive that is designed to work with fabric surfaces (or any surface that can stand the heat) and is available in many differnt colours and finishes.
Metallic vinyl such as foil will start to fade over time. Also, applying a direct iron on the vinyl will ruin the graphic. Heat transfer vinyl are normally very durable and most of the time, a good quality vinyl will last years and many many washes (as long as washed inside out).
SILK SCREEN PRINTING
Although all our printing processes are effective, screen printing will last longest. Shirts that are printed using vinyl will usually last for a few years. On the other hand, shirts that have been screen printed will last the lifetime of the shirt.
The major difference is that Screen Printing requires a screen to be set up for each colour in the print. There is a charge for each screen set up, which tends to prohibit smaller runs and jobs with many colours.
Once the setup is finished though, nothing will need to change from shirt to shirt (as long as the design stays the same), making it much quicker to print larger orders.
Cad Cut Vinyl is best suited for small runs (under 24), screen printing is more cost-effective for large runs over 25.
SUBLIMATION PRINTING
Sublimation printing is the application of sublimation inks onto a surface using a heat press to provide the required combination of heat, time and pressure.
Sublimation Printing is best done on 100% polyester for the best results on clothing, but can also be used to print onto many other surfaces for example aluminium.
Sublimation is a dye process, therefore it is designed for printing to white and light colors only. There is no colour limitations with sublimation apart from white cannot be used to print. If you wished to print on dark t-shirts You can use a digital print .
Sublimation Printing will produce long-lasting prints that won’t crack or fade after repeated washing and are soft to the touch. Dye sublimation prints are cured with the heat press during the application of the design.
DIGITAL PRINTING
Digital Printing uses special vinyl to print onto first using solvent inks, so there are no colour limitations and small runs can be done. This is then transferred to the clothing via the same process as Heat Transfer Vinyl. Again this can last very well on clothing if cared for correctly by washing inside out and not ironing the design.