Printing on products.
WHAT METHODS EXIST
Screen printing Heat transfer and vinyl Direct printing onto garments Embroidery Sublimation
WHAT EACH SUITS
- Screen printing: volume, simple designs, durability
- Vinyl: small quantities, names and numbers
- Direct printing: full colour, short runs
- Embroidery: durability and perceived quality, on caps and workwear
- Sublimation: full coverage on suitable fabrics
WHY METHOD SELECTION MATTERS
Using the wrong method produces poor durability or unviable cost.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE QUOTING
Quantity Number of colours Placement and size Garment type and fabric Required durability
WHY FABRIC MATTERS
Some methods do not work on some fibres.
WHAT TO TEST
A sample, on the actual garment, before a full run.
WHY
Adhesion and appearance vary by fabric.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT CUSTOMER-SUPPLIED GARMENTS
Whether you accept them What happens if a garment is damaged in decoration
WHY
Damaging supplied garments is a real risk and the customer paid for them.
WHAT TO STATE
Your position, before accepting them.
WHAT TO ADVISE
Supplying a spare allowance.
WHAT SETUP COSTS
Screens, digitising for embroidery, and setup time.
WHY IT MATTERS
They are charged once and they make small runs expensive.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Whether setup is charged separately and whether it is retained for repeats.
WHAT TO KEEP
Screens and embroidery files, for repeat orders.
