Fabric printing is a technique used to personalise fabrics with exclusive, customised designs. There are various techniques for printing on fabric, the most common being textile screen printing, direct printing, embroidery and DTF (Direct to Film). In this article, we'll compare these four techniques in terms of quality, durability, cost and ease of use.
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Textile screen printing
Textile screen printing is a printing technique in which ink is applied to fabric through a mesh stretched on a frame. The process involves applying paint to specific areas of the fabric, layer by layer, until the design is complete. Textile screen printing is often used for mass printing, such as T-shirts, bags and sweatshirts.
In terms of quality, textile screen printing is considered one of the most precise and durable techniques. The colours are bright and clear and the ink adheres well to the fabric, making it resistant to washing and wear. In addition, textile screen printing allows for a wide variety of colours and effects, including metallic, shiny and phosphorescent inks.
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However, textile screen printing can be expensive and time-consuming, especially for short runs. The process involves creating customised printing screens, which can increase the initial cost. In addition, textile screen printing is not suitable for complex designs, as each colour needs to be applied individually, increasing the time and cost of the process.
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Direct Textile Printing
Direct textile printing is a technique in which ink is applied directly to the fabric using a specific printer. This technique allows complex designs to be printed on fabric quickly and efficiently, making it ideal for smaller print runs.
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In terms of quality, direct textile printing is very good. The colours are vibrant and sharp, and the design can be reproduced with great precision. Direct printing is also durable and resistant to washing, which makes it ideal for fabrics that are frequently washed.
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However, direct textile printing has its drawbacks. It can be expensive for large print runs, as it requires a large amount of ink and doesn't take advantage of the quantity discount. In addition, print quality may vary depending on the quality of the printer used.
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Embroidery
Embroidery is a technique in which a design is created with threads of different colours that are sewn onto the fabric using an industrial embroidery machine. Embroidery is often used to personalise clothes, caps and backpacks.
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In terms of quality, the embroidery offers a sophisticated and elegant look. The design can be reproduced with great precision, and the colours are bright and clear. What's more, the embroidery is durable and wash-resistant, making it ideal for items that will be washed frequently.
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However, embroidery can be expensive and time-consuming, especially for complex designs. The process involves creating a design that is digitised and then embroidered onto the surface of the fabric.
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Direct to Film (DTF)
Direct to Film (DTF) is a fabric printing technique in which the ink is applied to a specialised film that is transferred to the fabric. The process is similar to direct printing (DTG), but film is used instead of ink directly on the fabric. This technique allows you to create complex designs with photographic quality.
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In terms of quality, DTF offers vibrant, sharp colours and is capable of reproducing complex designs with precision. The film adheres well to the fabric, making it resistant to washing and wear. What's more, DTF is faster than embroidery and can be more economical, especially for projects with complex designs.
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However, the DTF has its drawbacks. The process of creating films can be time-consuming and expensive. What's more, DTF is limited to certain types of fabric, and the designs are not as durable as embroidery or screen printing.
