VINYL

 Vinyl… how can you decorate with vinyl? * * Vinyl looks like fabric appliqué, and is a cost effective alternative. Vinyl is cut – just like the fabric appliqué, BUT it is heat pressed down instead of being stitched down. Different colors can be heat pressed in layers for the 2 color effect – like applique. Probably the most popular use of vinyl that you have seen is with baseball. Many teams in little league have their numbers and names on the back of their jerseys done in vinyl. Vinyl also doesn’t have the minimums like with screen printing, so vinyl can also be used as an alternative for screen printing as well – but you are limited to just a few colors.

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SUBLIMATION:

Sublimation requires special ink (dye) printed on special sublimation paper. That printed “transfer” is then heat pressed. The heat transforms the dye into a gas. The vaporized dyes permeate the item being sublimated. This process allows you to get amazing photo quality onto light colored items like polyester shirts, blankets, ceramics and much more. Although this looks similar to Direct-to-garment printing (because it is full color), this process can only be done on light colored items.

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DIRECT-TO-GARMENT PRINTING:

This process is just like printing from your ink jet printer, except the printing is done directly onto the clothing. The specialized ink is then heat pressed to “set” the colors. This is a great alternative to screen printing because printing is in full color. This process can also be done on light AND dark clothing. Print can go anywhere… even over zippers and pockets.

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LASER ETCHING:

Laser etching gives the design subtle appearance – just a few shades darker than the item being etched. All artwork is one color and a small laser burns just the very top layer of the item, giving the look of engraving. The backside is never damaged. Laser etching designs can be as large as a full size blanket.

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