Which Emblem Tech is Best?
Once you have chosen the type of emblem you want to use, you must decide which application method will be best.
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Digital Decorating: Process + Techniques
Picking the Best Decorating Method
Many apparel decorators have decided to diversify their businesses, and with newer technologies being simpler to adopt, there are now more shops with more decorating choices available than ever.
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Decorating Methods Up Top
My career started in the imprinted sportswear industry selling both screen-print and heat-transfer equipment for embellishing caps.
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Try Creating Multiple Variations on a Theme When Designing for the Holidays
The end of the year is a great time for garment decorating. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas–all are the perfect reason for creating fun, festive designs for printing, and with dye sublimation, in particular, sales opportunities abound.
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Designing for DTF Transfers
Direct-to-film (DTF) transfers provide a new, fast-growing garment-decoration method that’s ideal for designing layouts for sports apparel. From team and practice uniforms to fan wear, DTF transfers allow you to easily and inexpensively incorporate full color into layouts.
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The New Digital Apparel Decorating Era: Direct-to-Film Printing
To understand why direct-to-film (DTF) apparel decoration matters so much, ask yourself two questions? Why has the plastisol transfer had such enormous success for decades? Why does it still have loyal customers today?
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Top Tips for Creating Impactful Cap Designs
Designing graphics for headwear requires a specific expertise. A full-front graphic that looks good on a T-shirt will not necessarily work on a hat.
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Creating Raster Print/Cut Designs
The print/cut process is not only a great way to create designs for heat-printing wearables, but you also can create decals for cups, windows, walls and all kinds of hard surfaces.
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Flexo-Inkjet Hybrid Printing Combines the Best of Systems
Companies using flexo printing no longer see digital inkjet printing as a disruptive technology, and industrial inkjet printing is no longer dismissed as an inferior process.
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Pallet Attachment Trends for DTG Printing
A look at five unique pallet attachments to make specialty application screen and digital direct-to-garment (DTG) printing a breeze.
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Direct-to-Garment Printing Tips
The direct-to-garment (DTG) printing process rapidly is growing as a preferred decoration method for many garment printers.
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Allover Printing with Sublimation
Allover print sublimation graphics are popular in the fashion world and among traditional apparel decorators.
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Stahls’ TV Offers ‘Project Press It’ Video
Stahls’, Sterling Heights, Mich., has released a new video as part of its “Project Press It” series that details how to transfer cool metallic heat designs onto oversized, short-sleeve shirts.
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DTG Printing on Fine Jersey
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is unique among garment decorating techniques because the garments will, in part, determine the quality of the final image.
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Start The Presses
Performance T-shirts, compression apparel and other garments that include stretchy or synthetic fibers can be difficult to screen print and properly cure.
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Mega Multimedia
The secret to making money with multi-media starts with a great design concept and artwork. Then, to make it profitable and production friendly, you need to purchase the right “toys” so the process flows smoothly and is not so time consuming.
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Sublimation Rising
So you really think you want to offer cut-and-sew services? You have seen the demand for customized sublimation growing all around you. You have maximized your traditional spot hit and all-over-print business and you still want more?
Full StoryThe True Cost Of Digital Printing
In the world of digital printing (direct-to-garment, transfers, sublimation) there is a lot of emphasis placed on ink costs, yet they account for a very small percentage of production costs.
Full StoryThe Lowdown on Logos
What’s in a logo? That depends upon whom you ask. An apparel decorator, trained in a specific process, sees a logo through production process lenses. A vinyl cutter operator sees details and layers…
Full StoryThe Cost of a Complete Sublimation Job
How to get a realistic view of the total costs to produce a job from beginning to end.
Full StoryCost Analysis – Small Shop
It is impossible to set any kind of logical prices without understanding what something costs to produce
Full StoryThe True Cost of Digital Printing
Figuring out your total costs can mean more profit for your digital decorating business.
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Retail Price Calculations
Calculation of quantity price breaks for development of price sheets.
Full StoryEfficiencies of Multiple Piece Runs
As you run larger orders you benefit from considerably less downtime in regards to pre- and post-production activities.
Full StoryA Tip for Removing Carrier Sheets
Layering multiple colors or materials to create a single design is not difficult using heat-applied graphics materials.
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Beyond the DTG Printer
“There’s something wrong with the ink.” “There’s something wrong with the printer.” “There’s something wrong with…” a hundred of other reasons direct-to-garment (DTG) prints look dull, stiff or otherwise imperfect.
Full StorySublimation Rising: The Super Spot
Sublimation continues to grow in all types of markets. From athletics and streetwear to outdoor and coastal retailers, increasing demand for sublimation is evident.
Full StoryDigital Appliqué — The Best of Both Worlds
In the world of apparel decoration, perceived value is what sets the bar on pricing, not a formula. People only are willing to pay what they think a product is worth.
Full StoryInstaWhat?
Did you know that Instagram has more than 100 million users? That’s a lot of potential customers that you may not be speaking to about your products and services if you offer sublimated hard goods.
How to Maximize Product Margins
Sales are the backbone of a successful apparel decoration business, and a well-orchestrated sample kit is the key to turning sales opportunities into real profits.
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Adding Digital Garment Printing to Your Shop
If you’ve added a process such as embroidery to your screen printing business, then you’re probably a good candidate for adding direct-to-garment printing. That’s because you’re already looking at yourself as someone who offers decorating services, not someone who only does screen printing. The only question, then, is how to add the process to your shop.
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Stahls’ Heat Transfer Films Produce Cover-Worthy Clothing
In the Spring 2014 issue of Team & Spirit Apparel, a twice-a-year supplement to Impressions, contributing writer Greg Kitson wrote a feature article about “Super Moms.”
Full StoryMultimedia Decoration of Color-Blocked Hoodies
This Impressions Tech Tips newsletter will explore the use of a color-blocked JERZEES® NuBlend® fleece hoodie and an appropriate design solution that brings out the best in this garment.
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Watch Impressions Get Heat Printed
The June/July cover of Impressions features two tots wearing customized garments that were heat printed by Stahls’ Cad-Cut Direct, St. Clair Shores, Mich.
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