As the demand for customized apparel keeps growing at a rapid pace, it is transforming the online business space by creating new opportunities for businesses like print-on-demand services that are attracting more and more people to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams. It is easy to start an online business by creating a website only and without any other infrastructure, as in the case of print-on-demand services that cater to the personalization needs of customers. For example, those looking for some great custom hoodies in Canada would like to have a unique design printed on it so that it bears the distinct marks of personalization that they can proudly display.
Print-on-demand services like Gelato can perfectly cater to such requirements by asking the customers to choose any white-label hoodies and the accompanying design that they want to print on them. Then, the company that provides the print-on-demand service accepts the order, receives the payment, and arranges for delivering the printed apparel at their address within a reasonable time. The apparel then reaches the printing company that prints the design and arranges for its timely delivery.
The printing company plays a critical role in meeting the customer expectations by using one of the following printing techniques to produce the best quality printed design.
DTG printing
The method of printing known as Direct to Garment (DTG) printing uses ink-jet technology to print full-color, high-quality photographic prints directly on any apparel like hoodies and T-shirts. The technology enables the printing of complex artwork or designs that no other printing method can recreate with the same degree of precision, accuracy, and quality. DTG printing is best for multi-colored printing designs comprising an array of colors as the technology has a huge potential of printing even the minutest details with utmost perfection.
The printing technique consists of loading the white-label apparel on the machine and then printing the design on as many pieces as you want, from a single piece to dozens of pieces. The direct printing method simplifies the process and saves time besides ensuring high-quality print that lasts very long without losing its luster. For example, it can take as little as 30 minutes to print hoodies and T-shirts. However, keep in mind that DTG printing works best on cotton fabrics.
This type of marketing has lately been gaining popularity as printing companies are finding it easy to do business with print-on-demand services that handle everything from marketing, sales, and customer service to order fulfillment. Most importantly, you need not hold any inventory of printed apparel but can take orders online for every piece that requires printing. Also, as the people from CultureStudio.net note, in the dynamic world of merchandising, where creativity meets fandom, the concept of limited edition merchandise has proven to be a game-changer. DTG printing supports the production of small batches of prints that allow testing new designs without committing to high quantities or incurring huge setup costs.
Screen printing
Screen printing is the oldest and most popular printing technique that has been in use for many years and is suitable for printing various substrates from paper to garments. Although the traditional printing technique uses manual methods, nowadays, machines are available for screen printing. The versatility of the printing technique which can print on a variety of surfaces from paper to ceramics to clothing and its affordability are the reasons for the sustenance of the vintage printing technology.
Screen-printed designs last longer because of the quality of printing inks applied in thick layers that make the colors look vibrant. Screen printing suits any commercial production scale as you can print hundreds of garments with the same design and colors in a single batch. Unlike DTG, screen printing is compatible with many types of fabrics, but it cannot handle complex artwork that has too many overlapping colors.
Heat transfer printing
The heat transfer printing method places some transfer material that contains the design on the top of the fabric to be printed and then transfers the design from the transfer media to the garment by the application of heat. The heat helps to transfer the design to the fabric and sticks to it firmly. The artwork or design is first printed on the transfer media by using a solvent ink that has the special quality of transmissibility that allows the transfer of the design from the media to the fabric when applied with a heat machine. Since the printing process does not use inks, it is a mess-free process suitable for a variety of print media or substrates.
Direct-to-film printing is a great method for personalizing garments. It offers a simple and effective way to put your unique designs on clothing items. One popular option for this type of printing is the STS DTF printer. With this printer, you can easily transfer your designs onto fabrics, creating custom t-shirts, hoodies, and more. Direct-to-film printing is known for its high-quality and vibrant results, making it a preferred choice for those looking to add a personal touch to their clothing. Whether you’re creating custom gifts or starting a small apparel business, direct-to-film printing is a reliable method that can help you achieve your goals.
Dye-sublimation printing
An off-shoot of heat transfer printing, the dye-sublimation printing method uses digitally printed graphics that are transferable to the selected fabric by the application of heat. The graphic design uses dye instead of inks that pass on to the fabric along with the design to produce the perfect image that looks great. Dyes used in the design convert into gases due to the application of heat that aids its transmission from the design media to the print media and solidifies after completion of the process.
The specialty of the transfer process is that the design fuses with the material of the fabric and does not create a separate layer on it. When it requires printing a large surface with the same design, this type of printing is most suitable, especially for polyester material.
The best personalized hoodies that are available in the market use DTG printing that lasts longer on cotton fabrics.
