Fabric printing is extremely popular. It’s used to produce everything from graphic t-shirts to elaborate store displays. One of the most common fabric printing methods is the direct-to-fabric process. Here are five things you should know if you’re considering direct-to-fabric printing options for your business.
1. Fabric Matters
Fabric matters when you’re looking at printers. Polyester is well-suited for dye-sublimation printers, which transfer images using heat and special paper.
However, these printers won’t work on non-polyester material. If you’re dealing with a fabric like cotton or nylon, direct-to-fabric printers are your best option - these work by spraying ink directly onto the fabric.
2. You Can Expect Quality
Direct-to-fabric printing creates incredibly detailed and precise images. Companies dealing with intricate artwork or a difficult design pattern need direct printing if they want a faithful recreation. Consumer-level printing options are not sufficient if you’re running a business because the quality will be lacking.
3. Multiple Designs Can Be Printed on One Roll of Fabric
With direct printing, you can print multiple color schemes and designs on one roll of fabric. This increases efficiency and gives you a cost-effective way to sample different styles. Printing multiple designs on one textile roll also saves time if you need to order reprints.
4. You Need an Expert
In theory, direct-to-fabric printing is simple. However, to achieve the best quality possible, you need to work with an expert who’s using top-of-the-line equipment. A subpar printer or technician will likely produce subpar results.
At Duggal Visual Solutions, our team has access to the best equipment available on the market, including the Reggiani ReNOIR digital fabric printer. This printer can process most fabrics and textiles and has four different droplet sizes as well as three printing widths.
5. Colors Can Fade
Fabrics are inherently handled more often than other print materials. Constant wear and tear can lead to faded, lackluster colors. If you’re selling the fabric to customers, explain proper care strategies, so the colors stay vibrant for as long as possible.
Fabrics are inherently handled more often than other print materials. Constant wear and tear can lead to faded, lackluster colors. If you’re selling the fabric to customers, explain proper care strategies, so the colors stay vibrant for as long as possible.
