Impressions - Digital Decorator - Fall 2015 - 34

Digital is defi ned as any production process in the identity world where
a printhead is used in the creation of a
graphic. Ink, whether direct-to-garment,
solvent, latex or sublimation, fi res through
the printhead to breathe life and create
digital decoration.
All digital decoration processes are
not created equal and it's certainly not a
one-size-fits-all system. To best assume
the role of a logo consultant, it's important
to understand each process for what it is.
Let's get started.

SOLVENT OR ECOSOLVENT PRINT/CUT
The print/cut production process is
perfectly suited to high-resolution reproduction. It's been widely documented
that this process is highly durable, versatile and can be used on any fabric or
color. New in print/cut specifically for
logo reproduction are low-temperature
adhesives. As the market for performance
textiles, including trends such as "athlei-

sure," surges in the workplace, heat sensitivity is a reality.
While adhesives of years past will stick
and stay on these fabrics, they often produce
undesirable scorch marks and have the
potential to bleed. The combination of lowtemperature, short-dwell, dye-inhibiting
adhesives help to expand the gamut of
applicable textiles while increasing sales
opportunities for corporate wear, even at
small quantities for businesses with few
employees. White stays white and the colors of the brand are well protected even on
the worst quality of dyed polyester.
Also new in print/cut are additional
special effects treatments such as colored and color-shifting metallics capable
of producing pearlescent fi nishes. They
ideally are suited as an option for brands
looking to express creativity with their
logo. Gold and silver present some niche
opportunities for anniversaries or special
events. Print/cut also is unique in that it
presents potential for add-on elements,
increasing your average sale and the cus-

tomer's recognition. As cost already is
sunk in the setup of the apparel graphic,
decals, posters and window clings make
for low-cost branding opportunities for
the supplier and customer.

DIRECT-TO-GARMENT
PRINTING
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing has
been the buzz and the hope of the industry for some time. While it hasn't unseated
digital technologies as a one-technologyfits-all decoration method, it has settled into an important role for apparel
decorators.
Largely successful on natural fabrics
(those with high cotton content), DTG
is the best way to replicate a customer's
logo at small quantities in large designs.
Heralded for its detail capability and softto-the-hand touch, DTG simply is a better
choice than print/cut graphics for freefloating detail and large coverage images.
The caveat is that DTG largely falls short
in the complex synthetic marketplace.

Print/cut transfer

Weeding a print/cut transfer.

34  FALL 2015

Impressions - Digital Decorator - Fall 2015

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