Impressions - March 2016 - 62
think.
make.
do.
DIRECT-TO-GARMENT
Like this article? Read more direct-to-garment printing
articles at impressionsmag.com/digitaldecorating.
The Evolution of
DTG Pretreatment
Here's a look at where we've been
and where we're going.
BY TERRY COMBS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
WHEN YOU THINK about the
term "evolution," you likely
think about changes that
occur during a long period
of time. Not so with anything
related to direct-to-garment
(DTG) printing.
With respect to pretreatment
solutions
and
methods,
evolution and progress have
occurred fast and furious,
with the goal being to ready
garments for this burgeoning
decoration process as quickly
as possible. For a decoration
technique that is only about
10 years old, there have been
many changes - and more are on
the horizon.
Inkjet print heads dictate the
type of water-based ink used,
which in turn dictates the way
printing is done on dark garments.
In DTG printing, pretreating is
required when using white ink,
whether as a white image or an
underbase. Using pretreatment
on light garments when printing
only CMYK is a matter of personal
preference. Will the image be
more crisp and wash better
with pretreatment on a light
garment? Yes, but a print without
pretreatment also is acceptable.
There
has
been
much
experimentation during the past
decade in the search for efficient
ways to apply a consistent
and even coat of pretreatment
solution. Following is a look at
where we've been, and techniques
and methods we've left behind in
that regard.
Hand-Held Pump Sprayer
This early attempt at pretreating
garments for DTG printing worked
to the extent that you could
disperse the pretreat solution,
but the uneven application could
be seen in the final print. An
irregular application will
appear as bright and dull areas
throughout the print. It's
extremely rare to see an operator
using this method today.
Shown here is
an automatic
pretreatment
machine in use. All
photos courtesy of
Equipment Zone.
P.62
I M P R E S S I O N S M A G . C O M MARCH 2016
Screen Printing The Pretreatment
Since many of the early
innovators in this industry were
longtime screen printers, it
was only natural to attempt to
screen print the pretreatment
http://www.impressionsmag.com/digitaldecorating
http://www.IMPRESSIONSMAG.COM
Impressions - March 2016
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - March 2016
Impressions - March 2016
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Overheard
First Look
Scene at ISS
On Design
Pretty Meets Practical
Use Bling to Boost Margins
IP Law: A Primer
Are Custom Orders Costing You?
Easy Does It
Shop Talk
Embroidery Production
Screen Printing Production
Sublimation
Direct-To-Garment
Heat Printing
Classifieds
Ad Index/Online Directory
Impressions - March 2016 - CT1
Impressions - March 2016 - CT2
Impressions - March 2016 - Impressions - March 2016
Impressions - March 2016 - Cover2
Impressions - March 2016 - 1
Impressions - March 2016 - Contents
Impressions - March 2016 - 3
Impressions - March 2016 - 4
Impressions - March 2016 - 5
Impressions - March 2016 - First Impressions
Impressions - March 2016 - 7
Impressions - March 2016 - From the Show Director
Impressions - March 2016 - 9
Impressions - March 2016 - Overheard
Impressions - March 2016 - 11
Impressions - March 2016 - 12
Impressions - March 2016 - 13
Impressions - March 2016 - 14
Impressions - March 2016 - 15
Impressions - March 2016 - First Look
Impressions - March 2016 - 17
Impressions - March 2016 - 18
Impressions - March 2016 - 19
Impressions - March 2016 - 19a
Impressions - March 2016 - 19b
Impressions - March 2016 - Scene at ISS
Impressions - March 2016 - 21
Impressions - March 2016 - On Design
Impressions - March 2016 - 23
Impressions - March 2016 - Pretty Meets Practical
Impressions - March 2016 - 25
Impressions - March 2016 - 26
Impressions - March 2016 - 27
Impressions - March 2016 - 28
Impressions - March 2016 - 29
Impressions - March 2016 - Use Bling to Boost Margins
Impressions - March 2016 - 31
Impressions - March 2016 - 32
Impressions - March 2016 - 33
Impressions - March 2016 - IP Law: A Primer
Impressions - March 2016 - 35
Impressions - March 2016 - 36
Impressions - March 2016 - 37
Impressions - March 2016 - Are Custom Orders Costing You?
Impressions - March 2016 - 39
Impressions - March 2016 - 40
Impressions - March 2016 - 41
Impressions - March 2016 - Easy Does It
Impressions - March 2016 - 43
Impressions - March 2016 - 44
Impressions - March 2016 - 45
Impressions - March 2016 - 46
Impressions - March 2016 - 47
Impressions - March 2016 - Shop Talk
Impressions - March 2016 - 49
Impressions - March 2016 - Embroidery Production
Impressions - March 2016 - 51
Impressions - March 2016 - 52
Impressions - March 2016 - 53
Impressions - March 2016 - Screen Printing Production
Impressions - March 2016 - 55
Impressions - March 2016 - 56
Impressions - March 2016 - 57
Impressions - March 2016 - Sublimation
Impressions - March 2016 - 59
Impressions - March 2016 - 60
Impressions - March 2016 - 61
Impressions - March 2016 - Direct-To-Garment
Impressions - March 2016 - 63
Impressions - March 2016 - 64
Impressions - March 2016 - 65
Impressions - March 2016 - Heat Printing
Impressions - March 2016 - 67
Impressions - March 2016 - 68
Impressions - March 2016 - 69
Impressions - March 2016 - 70
Impressions - March 2016 - 71
Impressions - March 2016 - Classifieds
Impressions - March 2016 - Ad Index/Online Directory
Impressions - March 2016 - 74
Impressions - March 2016 - Cover3
Impressions - March 2016 - Cover4
Impressions - March 2016 - N1
Impressions - March 2016 - N2
Impressions - March 2016 - N3
Impressions - March 2016 - N4
Impressions - March 2016 - N5
Impressions - March 2016 - N6
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404S
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20231011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20221011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20211011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/DigitalDecorator_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20210809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/teamactivewear_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/imp_0421_digital
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_fall2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nxtbook_bhtest/impwessons
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20131011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20130607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20121011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20111011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20101112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_eco_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201001
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com