Custom-branded clothing is a fun and cost-effective way to market anything from your business to your cause or school. It serves as a unique form of free advertising.
But if you choose the wrong type of fabric, your T-shirts will fall apart quickly and look cheap after a few washes. When picking out new T-shirts for your next batch of custom printing, you want to make sure you use the best screen printing fabric.
Here are some tips on how to pick the perfect fabric for custom screen printing. Read on!
Assess the Durability Requirements
When deciding on the right fabric for a custom screen printing job, it’s important to evaluate the durability requirements. Poly-cotton blends, nylon, and synthetic fabrics are extremely durable. They may be best for garments that will be used over a long period of time or experience high levels of wear and tear.Â
Natural fabrics such as cotton and wool tend to be less durable and may be better for less strenuous tasks. High-performance blends offer incredible breathability and stretching capabilities, making them ideal for more active garments. Cotton fabric may be pre-shrunk in order to secure consistent sizing.
Consider the Feel of the Fabric
When it comes to selecting fabrics for custom screen printing, the feel of the fabric is an important factor to consider.
Start by sampling several different types of fabric to determine which one offers the right balance of comfort and durability. You can even get professional-quality screen printing at Flash Uniforms.
Consider how the fabric will interact with the design, as certain types of fabric may be too thin or rough to effectively transfer graphics. It is also important to think about how the fabric will react to movement, as some are designed to hold their shape rather than stretch.
Think About the Weave
The type of weave determines the handle and drape of the fabric and contributes greatly to the overall look and feel of your custom-printed product.
Generally speaking, most materials used for custom screen printing have a tightly-woven, flat weave structure. This type of weave provides an even finish which makes the colors look smooth and vivid when printed.
It also helps improve the stretchability and shrinkage of the fabric, allowing people to easily customize it with their own designs. A tight weave can provide a more even surface for the ink to adhere to and makes the fabric more durable. If you want a silky feel, a looser weave can be a great option, as it will provide a softer touch.
Consider Compatibilities
Ensure that the fabric is compatible with the type of ink you are using for your desired design. Common options for fabrics with screen-printing inks are cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics. You must consider the thickness of the fabric to get the desired results.
A lightweight fabric may not be suitable for certain types of screen printing inks because of its thinness. Select a fabric with a good degree of absorbency so that the ink seeps into the fibers of the fabric and keep the design intact. Consider the type of design you’ll be producing and the longevity of the print.
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Fabrics with a tight weave and finer thread count produce the cleanest, most vibrant printing results. Researching the fabric’s fiber content to determine its durability and weight should be next on the list.
With these points in mind, you can confidently determine which fabric is best for your custom screen printing project.Â
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