Digital Vinyl Printing
In the ever-evolving world of fashion and promotional apparel, digital vinyl printing has emerged as a game-changing technology. Offering unmatched versatility, vibrant colours, and durability, digital vinyl printing is capturing the attention of marketers, designers, and consumers alike. Whether you’re looking to create eye-catching promotional garments or unique apparel designs, this technology provides a plethora of options to bring your ideas to life.
What is Digital Vinyl Printing?
Digital vinyl printing is a method of transferring designs onto fabric using heat and pressure. Unlike traditional screen printing, which requires separate screens for each colour, digital vinyl printing uses a specially designed printer to print the image onto a sheet of vinyl. This vinyl is then cut to shape and heat-pressed onto the garment. The result is a high-quality image that is both vibrant and long-lasting.
Key Features of Digital Vinyl Printing
1. Vivid Colours and Detailed Designs
One of the standout features of digital vinyl printing is its ability to produce bright, vivid colours and intricate details. This makes it perfect for designs that require a high level of detail or a wide colour palette, such as company logos or artistic graphics.
2. Durability
Our vinyl used in this printing process is known for its durability. It can withstand multiple washes without fading or cracking, ensuring that promotional apparel remains in excellent condition over time. This makes it ideal for items that will be worn frequently, such as t-shirts or sports uniforms.
3. Versatility
Digital vinyl printing works well on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends. This versatility allows businesses to create a diverse range of promotional products, from t-shirts and hoodies to bags and hats.
4. Cost-Effectiveness for Small Batches
Unlike some other printing methods that become expensive with short runs, digital vinyl printing is cost-effective for small batches. This makes it an attractive option for start ups, small businesses, or events with limited budgets.
Best Applications for Promotional Apparel
1. Corporate Branding
Digital vinyl printing is excellent for creating branded apparel for companies. By offering employees and customers high-quality, branded clothing, companies can increase brand visibility and create a sense of unity and pride.
2. Event Merchandise
Whether it’s a concert, festival, or corporate event, digital vinyl printing can produce stunning merchandise that attendees will cherish. The ability to produce small batches ensures that event organisers can manage inventory efficiently and minimise waste.
3. Custom Sportswear
Sports teams and athletic clubs can take advantage of digital vinyl printing to create customized uniforms and gear. The durability of vinyl ensures that team logos and player names remain intact throughout the season.
4. Unique Fashion Lines
For fashion designers looking to create unique collections, digital vinyl printing opens up a world of possibilities. Designers can experiment with colours, textures, and designs that might not be feasible with traditional printing methods.
Tips for Maximising Digital Vinyl Printing
Choose the Right Fabric: For best results, select fabrics that are compatible with vinyl printing, such as cotton or polyester blends.
Design with Detail in Mind: Take advantage of the detailed printing capabilities by incorporating intricate designs and vibrant colours.
Plan for Volume: Consider the size of the print run to ensure the process remains cost-effective.
Care for Your Garments: To maintain the quality of the print, follow care instructions such as washing inside out and avoiding high heat.
Digital vinyl printing stands as a versatile, durable, and cost-effective method for creating promotional apparel that makes a lasting impression. Whether you’re a business aiming to boost your brand, an event organizer, or a designer seeking unique creations, this technology can help bring your vision to life with style and impact.
Murnane Print are specialist in full colour digital vinyl heat transfer services.
At Murnane Print, we offer high-quality Digital Vinyl, Standard Vinyl and Specialty Vinyl Transfers for your business uniforms, merchandise brand, sports team, clubs, schools and special events. Our competitive prices come with exceptional customer service to meet your needs. We can apply heat transfers to anything from t-shirts, caps, polos, hoodies and much more. Your options are limitless!
We can work with your business and provide effective solutions for all your printing needs. Our experience and ongoing research and training allows us to print the highest quality of transfers on a level not commonly offered by other businesses.
Vinyl Transfers involves process of heat pressing vinyl cut designs onto a garment, perfect if you were looking for individual team member names and numbers, promotional garments, uniforms, hats, jackets, sport and performance wear.
Explore our range of customisable Apparel & select your preferred print option. Alternatively, feel free to send us an enquiry – selecting the apparel of interest and let us personalise your quote for you with our suggested print options.
Direct to Garment (DTG) Printing
In the world of custom apparel, Direct to Garment (DTG) printing has emerged as a revolutionary technique. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to create merchandise or a business owner interested in personalised uniforms, understanding DTG can be incredibly beneficial. This guide will delve into what DTG printing is, its features, and how it can be optimally used for creating eye-catching promotional garments.
What is Direct to Garment (DTG) Printing?
Direct to Garment printing is a method of printing directly onto textiles and garments using specialised inkjet technology. Unlike traditional printing methods such as screen printing, which involves creating separate screens for each colour, DTG uses a printer to apply ink directly onto the fabric. This allows for a highly detailed and colourful design without the need for complex setups.
Key Features of DTG Printing
High-Quality Prints: DTG printing can produce highly detailed and vibrant designs, making it ideal for intricate artwork and multicoloured images.
Fast Turnaround: With minimal setup required, DTG printing is perfect for quick production, making it a great choice for short runs or custom orders.
Eco-Friendly: DTG uses water-based inks, which are more environmentally friendly compared to plastisol inks used in screen printing.
Compatibility: DTG works ideally on all cotton garments and products.
Cost-Effective for Small Batches: Since there is no need for screens or setups, DTG can be more cost-effective for small to medium print runs.
Best Practices for Applying DTG to Promotional Apparel
Creating promotional apparel requires a blend of creativity and strategic planning. Here are some tips to make the most out of DTG printing for your promotional needs:
1. Choose the Right Fabric
For the best results with DTG, select garments made from 100% cotton or cotton blends. These materials absorb the ink more effectively, resulting in vibrant and durable prints.
2. Design with Detail in Mind
Take advantage of DTG’s ability to print detailed images. Incorporate intricate designs, gradients, and textures that would be difficult to achieve with other printing methods. Ensure that your brand logo or message is clear and visually appealing.
3. Optimise Your Designs Digitally
Ensure your designs are in high-resolution digital format. Use vector files or high-quality raster images to ensure crisp and clear prints. High resolution png files can be used, files need to be checked (please talk to us abut printing a test sample)
4. Consider the Garment Colour
When printing on darker garments, a white under base is often applied to make the colours pop. Be conscious of how your design will look on different coloured fabrics, and adjust accordingly.
5. Leverage Short Runs
DTG is perfect for short runs, so use this to your advantage for limited edition promotional items. This can create a sense of exclusivity and urgency among your audience.
6. Test Print
Before committing to a large batch, do a test print to ensure the colours and details meet your expectations. This can save time and resources in the long run.
Direct to Garment printing is a powerful tool for creating impactful promotional apparel. Its ability to produce high-quality, detailed designs quickly and cost-effectively makes it an excellent choice for businesses looking to make a statement with their apparel. By understanding DTG’s features and following best practices, you can create promotional garments that not only promote your brand but also leave a lasting impression.
Sublimation Printing
Sublimation printing has taken the promotional apparel industry by storm, offering vibrant, long-lasting designs that stand out. As businesses seek unique ways to promote their brand, sublimation printing emerges as a top choice due to its flexibility, durability, and quality.
What is Sublimation Printing?
Sublimation printing is a cutting-edge process that involves transferring dyes into fabric using heat and pressure. This method allows the ink to become part of the fabric, resulting in vivid colours and intricate designs that won’t fade or crack over time. It’s particularly effective on polyester materials, making it a favourite for sportswear, corporate attire, and promotional clothing.
Key Features of Sublimation Printing
Vivid and Long-lasting Colours
One of the standout features of sublimation printing is its ability to produce vibrant colours that are resistant to fading. Because the ink permeates the fabric, the colours remain bright and dynamic even after multiple washes.
Seamless Designs
Sublimation printing allows for all-over designs with no seams or borders, providing a sleek and polished look. This is ideal for creating promotional apparel with intricate patterns or continuous designs (See custom designs)
Eco-friendly Process
Sublimation printing is also environmentally friendly. It requires less water than traditional dyeing methods and produces minimal waste, making it a sustainable choice for eco-conscious brands.
Compatibility
This printing technique is only available for polyester, suitable for a wide range of garments, including white or light coloured T-shirts and hi vis workwear apparel.
Applying Sublimation Printing to Promotional Apparel
Choosing the Right Fabric
For optimal results, choose polyester or polyester-blend fabrics (is possible upon request). These materials bond well with sublimation dyes, ensuring vibrant and durable prints. While sublimation can be used on other fabrics, the results may not be as striking or long lasting.
Creating Eye-catching Designs
Designs should be tailored to capture the essence of the brand while taking full advantage of sublimation’s capabilities. Consider using bold, bright colours and intricate patterns that can cover the entire garment (we have the ability to print upto A3), creating a memorable and impactful promotional piece.
Leveraging Customisation
Sublimation printing is perfect for customisation, making it an excellent choice for promotional apparel. Personalised items, such as jerseys with individual names or custom corporate wear, can be created with ease, adding a personal touch that customers and clients will appreciate.
Durability for Long-term Use
Promotional apparel is often worn repeatedly, making durability a crucial factor. Sublimation printing ensures that the designs remain intact and vibrant, providing long-lasting promotional value.
Sublimation printing offers a host of benefits for creating high-quality promotional apparel. With its vivid colours, seamless designs, and eco-friendly process, it stands out as a premier choice for businesses looking to make a lasting impression. By choosing the right materials and leveraging the unique features of sublimation printing, brands can create promotional garments that are not only visually appealing but also durable and memorable.
Recommended care instructions
- Washing Cold wash inside out
- Detergent Mild detergents only
- Drying Do not tumble dry, hang dry only
- Ironing Do not iron directly on the print
After you have taken all the care in the world to produce an awesome product for your customer, the way they treat it can have detrimental effects. Although most t-shirts have care instruction for print on the tag, a simple printed care instruction sheet included with deliveries can help avoid regular awkward calls from customers.
With most print options, after application, the print needs time to harden without interruption. If you take that shirt and immediately throw it into the washing machine, there is a good chance the print could peel or fade.
By turning the printed product inside out, you are giving the print a layer of protection during the wash. While washing items, they are rubbing up against each other and that abrasion during washing can cause the print to scratch and peel.
When washing printed products, you don’t want your water temperature to exceed 40 degrees Celsius. High temperatures can weaken the bond of the ink to the fabric which can cause the print to peel and or fade.
Detergents that are “green” can be too harsh. You should also avoid bleach and fabric softeners to make the print last as long as possible. Just like when washing, you won’t want to dry your printed shirts on high heat. You are best advised to naturally air dry your printed product for best results.
When ironing the product, the high heat directly on the print could affect the cured ink. If you must iron the shirt, make sure to use low heat and place a dish towel or cloth over the print or simply iron inside out.
Printed items should never be dry cleaned. The harsh temperature and chemicals that are used during dry clean just do not mix well with printed items.
Important note
- We would always recommend running your own wash tests for each type and/or brand of garment as these may differ slightly.