Impressions - April 2017 - 46

With direct-to-garment printing, always
use the properly designated amount of
pretreatment and cure appropriately.

the ink.This will allow for a smoother surface for the highlight
white and CMYK inks.
Success will depend on the fabric's construction.The finer and
smoother it is, the less ink required to achieve a smooth print.
Printing on performance fabrics is not for the faint of heart. It
requires much testing and experimentation to achieve acceptable
results. However, mitigating all the variables can yield amazing
results. Plan to spend some time and money on shirts, ink and
pretreatment to find out what does and doesn't work in your shop.
Most DTG printers and ink sets allow you to achieve highquality CMYK prints on white and light-colored garments when
the proper pretreatment and subsequent production steps are
followed. However, you may find that your printer or ink set does
not allow for optimal dark-shirt polyester printing because of
the ink-cure time, or your stock-print driver may not give you
the control you need to achieve optimal print results.
Once you understand and master the variables, equipment
use and ink/pretreatment combinations, you then open a new
revenue stream for your DTG printer that many fear exploring. 

The GarmenT's role in success
The garment plays a major role in the final print quality. Remember
the following:
*	 Dye	migration:	A poor-quality shirt or dye job will result in dye migration or white-ink discoloration during or after curing.
*	 Dye	discoloration: A poor-quality shirt or dye can result in discoloration of pretreated areas, hindering potential sales.
*	 Shirt	construction:	How the shirt is made will impact the final print.
A tight-knit weave will result in a smoother printing surface with fewer
"air gaps" in the fabric.
*	 Shirt	fibers: Some shirts boast a soft, cotton-like feel. This is the result
of loose fibers that make the fabric feel softer, but make the shirt harder to print. These loose fibers will result in non-uniform ink films. The
unprinted fibers make the solid print look like it has faded.

Brian Walker has been active in the apparel-decorating business since the
mid-1980s and has owned a screen-printing business, developed quoting and
pricing software, and also launched a successful online DTG equipment and
supply business. He currently is involved with i-Group Technologies, makers
of Viper pretreatment machines; Image Armor inks and pretreatments; and is
founder of RTP Apparel, which supplies pretreated shirts for the DTG printing
industry. For more information or to comment on this article, email Brian at
brian@igrouptech.com.

P.46

i m p r e s s i o n s m a g . c o m APRIL 2017

Printing on performance
fabrics is not for the
faint of heart.


http://www.impressionsmag.com

Impressions - April 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - April 2017

Impressions - April 2017
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Overheard
First Look
Scene at ISS
On Design
Team Threads
Perforate Athleticwear Properly
Shop Talk
Embroidery Technique
Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Sublimation
Direct-To-Garment
Heat Printing
Ad Index/Online Directory
Classifieds
Impressions - April 2017 - CT1
Impressions - April 2017 - CT2
Impressions - April 2017 - Impressions - April 2017
Impressions - April 2017 - Cover2
Impressions - April 2017 - 1
Impressions - April 2017 - Contents
Impressions - April 2017 - 3
Impressions - April 2017 - 4
Impressions - April 2017 - 5
Impressions - April 2017 - First Impressions
Impressions - April 2017 - 7
Impressions - April 2017 - From the Show Director
Impressions - April 2017 - 9
Impressions - April 2017 - Overheard
Impressions - April 2017 - 11
Impressions - April 2017 - 12
Impressions - April 2017 - 13
Impressions - April 2017 - First Look
Impressions - April 2017 - 15
Impressions - April 2017 - 15a
Impressions - April 2017 - 15b
Impressions - April 2017 - Scene at ISS
Impressions - April 2017 - 17
Impressions - April 2017 - 18
Impressions - April 2017 - On Design
Impressions - April 2017 - Team Threads
Impressions - April 2017 - 21
Impressions - April 2017 - 22
Impressions - April 2017 - 23
Impressions - April 2017 - Perforate Athleticwear Properly
Impressions - April 2017 - 25
Impressions - April 2017 - 26
Impressions - April 2017 - 27
Impressions - April 2017 - Shop Talk
Impressions - April 2017 - 29
Impressions - April 2017 - Embroidery Technique
Impressions - April 2017 - 31
Impressions - April 2017 - 32
Impressions - April 2017 - Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Impressions - April 2017 - 34
Impressions - April 2017 - 35
Impressions - April 2017 - 36
Impressions - April 2017 - 37
Impressions - April 2017 - Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Impressions - April 2017 - 39
Impressions - April 2017 - 40
Impressions - April 2017 - Sublimation
Impressions - April 2017 - 42
Impressions - April 2017 - 43
Impressions - April 2017 - Direct-To-Garment
Impressions - April 2017 - 45
Impressions - April 2017 - 46
Impressions - April 2017 - Heat Printing
Impressions - April 2017 - 48
Impressions - April 2017 - 49
Impressions - April 2017 - Ad Index/Online Directory
Impressions - April 2017 - Classifieds
Impressions - April 2017 - 52
Impressions - April 2017 - Cover3
Impressions - April 2017 - Cover4
Impressions - April 2017 - I1
Impressions - April 2017 - I2
Impressions - April 2017 - I3
Impressions - April 2017 - I4
Impressions - April 2017 - I5
Impressions - April 2017 - I6
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