Decoration

Unsure which decoration method is right for your next job?  Please see below the list of decoration methods that we're able to apply to your product along with the suggested applications and the pros and cons of each option.

 

Screen-printing

Best For: Casualwear, Workwear.

Quantities: Best for quantity 50+.

Colours: 1-4 Colours.

Pros:  High Quality + Durable Print.

Cons: No Variable Data.

Notes: Screen-printing is the long-established leading decoration method in the workwear industry.  As the wet ink is printed directly into the garment before being cured, you are ensured a very high level of adhesion and durability along with a high-quality print.

Given each colour is applied individually, there is usually a limit of 4 colours per project.  However, up to 10 or more colours can be applied depending on the supplier which can result in a full-colour print similar to a digital print.

With screens needing to be prepared for each colour of a job, this can be time consuming to setup and as such, screen-printing is best for quantities 50+ and with non-variable data.


Direct-To-Film Prints

Best For: Casualwear, Workwear.

Quantities: Best for quantity <50.

Colours: Full Colour.

Pros:  High Quality Print, Variable Data.

Cons: Lower Durability than Screen-printing.

Notes: Direct-To-Film Prints are great for low-volume runs of T-Shirts, Hoodies, Jackets, Caps and other Casualwear and Workwear.  Given they are very fast and easy to produce, they can get a great result with medium-durability.

The low setup time means that these are a great option for smaller runs where screen-printing’s setup time may make a project unviable. Direct-To-Film prints are also digital prints that can easily be done in full-colour, whereas screen-printing in full colour is more difficult.


Embroidery

Best For: Business Uniforms.

Quantities: Best for quantity 10+.

Colours: 1-4 Colours.

Pros:  High Quality + Professional.

Cons: Time Consuming / Expensive.

Notes: Embroidery involves stitching your design onto a garment using thread in either single or multiple colours.  Most popular with professionals and business uniforms, embroidery is a long-term staple of the workwear industry.

Advantages of embroidery are the professional look, well-established perception of embroidery and the durability of having the design stitched into the material.

Downsides of embroidery involve the time-consuming process to manufacture each garment, slightly unpredictable quality control and difficulty with variable data (such as embroidering names onto a T-Shirt, it can be done, it’s just a slow process).


Heat Transfers

Best For: Promotional Products (Pens, Golf Balls, Glasses)

Quantities: Any quantity.

Colours: Full Colour.

Pros:  High Quality, Durable Print, Variable Data.

Cons: 

Notes: Our all-new heat transfer method is AMAZING!

Using patented technology, we are able to apply a digital print to any solid surface with a high level of adhesion.  This works by applying a number of methods, sprays, and temperatures to ensure a digital print transfers fully onto any given surface.

Similar to sublimation, the ink is fully absorbed into the material, however, it is available on any product – not solely white or sublimation prepared products.

Given the additional time and cost involved in this process, it is generally more efficient on smaller surfaces rather than large areas.


UV Printing

Best For: Canvas Prints, Large Flat Materials

Quantities: Any quantity.

Colours: Full Colour.

Pros:  High Quality Print, Variable Data.

Cons: Flat Surfaces Only.  Lower-adhesion on some products.

Notes: UV Printing provides a high quality print that is then cured with a UV light immediately.  Given the UV Printer is a flatbed printer, it performs best when printing on flat and hard surfaces as well as canvas and paper prints.

UV Printing has a lower level of adhesion on some surfaces – such as plastic and glass where it may not be dishwasher proof.  UV Printing is unavailable on curved surfaces or objects.


Laser Engraving

Best For: Promotional & Barware

Quantities: Any quantity.

Colours: Full Colour.

Pros:  High Quality, Durable Print, Variable Data.

Cons: Laser-only (No Colour).  Only available on specific materials.

Notes: Laser Engraving involves pointing a high-temperature laser onto a surface and burning the design into that surface.  This can be done with a high amount of detail and also onto curved surfaces (such as bowls).

This means that engraving can only be performed on surfaces that react well to the heat – that can be engraved, but won’t melt or catch on fire.  Generally wood, stainless steel, leather, glass and acrylic perform well with engraving.


Sublimation

Best For: Promotional & Barware (Stubby Holders, Bar Mats, Mugs)

Quantities: Any quantity.

Colours: Full Colour.

Pros:  High Quality, Durable Print, Variable Data.

Cons: Only Print on Sublimation Coated White Surfaces.  Delicate Process.

Notes: Sublimation involves applying a high-level of heat and pressure to a print that causes the solid ink to transfer to a gas state and then attached itself to the nearest hard surface.  This gives great adhesion that will never wash off once applied.

In order for the print to appear vibrantly, the surface must be white and be prepared for sublimation – so you can’t sublimate onto any white surface, only sublimation prepared ones.