It all really depends on what type of graphic / photo / design you are printing and on to what type of fabric. Some designs are better done on different applications. Some printing techniques work better on certain fabric.
These seem to be the more popular and affordable ways to print:
- Screen Printing: The most popular printing method has a slightly higher cost, depending on how many colors your designs contain. The detail and quality is awesome when done right, and the designs lasts for a good while. However, the turn around time is slower than most printing methods.
- Inkjet or Laser transfers (digital direct garment printing): Some people believe that inkjets produce more vibrant colors (which makes sense) but has more fading issues, while laser transfers have a longer life but lack the bright color that inkjets produce. The advantages of both methods of digital direct printing would be the price and the turn-around time needed to complete a project.
- Heat/vinyl cuter transfer: Heat Transfer printing is arguably the most popular choice for small businesses. The process involves heat transfer to press an existing photo or design on to a fabric. While it certainly isn’t as lasting as other methods, transfer printing is great for small quantities and is much faster than, say, screen printing.
Heat transfer provides a smooth feel when the fabric is produced. You’ll certainly notice the difference in texture, but it also has a tendency to crack more often. The machinery required is relatively small and a good option for small scaled production.
Vinyl transfers are one of those additional options. Focused primarily on offering support for colour layering, vinyl pressing allows designers to use multiple colours and produce high quality final prints.
The process is centred on embellishing a garment. To use it will require a vinyl cutter which allows you to cut out a logo or design from a specific sheet. The design is then pressed through usual heat transfer means.
The process isn’t really geared towards mass production, and is actually better suited for single print T-shirts. It’s a fairly new method, and not the cheapest, but the quality of output is high – perfect for lettering. Vinyl transfer print is suitable if you’re looking for a one-off print with distinct contrasting colours. Any way you slice it, there are pros and cons to either method. Make sure you look at how many colors your design contain and how you want to present it on the shirt. Here's some more detailed info about the various methods of screenprinting.Screen print methods
Plastisol – the most common plastisol based print used in garment decoration. Good colour opacity onto dark garments and clear graphic detail with, as the name suggests, a more plasticized texture. This print can be made softer with special additives or heavier by adding extra layers of ink.
Water Based inks – these penetrate the fabric more than the plastisol inks and create a much softer feel. Ideal for printing darker inks onto lighter coloured garments. Also useful for larger area prints where texture is important.
Discharge inks – used to print lighter colours onto dark background fabrics, they work by removing the dye in the garment – this means they leave a much softer texture. They are less graphic in nature than plastisol inks, and exact colours are difficult to control, but especially good for distressed and vintage prints.
Foil – is what you would imagine. A glue is printed onto the fabric and then foils applied for a mirror finish.
Glitter/Shimmer – silver flakes are suspended in a plastisol ink to create this sparkle effect. Usually available in gold or silver but can be mixed to make most colours.
Metallic – similar to glitter, but smaller particles suspended in the ink.
Expanding ink (puff) - an additive to plastisol inks which raises the print off the garment, creating a 3D feel.
Caviar beads – again a glue is printed in the shape of the design, to which small plastic beads are then applied – works well with solid block areas creating an interesting tactile surface.
Four colour process – artwork is created using dots (CMYK) which combine to create the full spectrum of colours needed for photographic prints – this means a large number of colours can be printed using only 4 screens, making the set-up costs viable. The inks are required to blend and are more translucent, meaning a compromise with vibrancy of colour.
Gloss – a clear base laid over plastisol inks to create a shiny finish.
Nylobond – a special ink additive for printing onto technical or waterproof fabrics.
Mirrored silver - Another solvent based ink but you can almost see your face in it.
