One of the most trending discussions in the fabric printing world is sublimation printing. However, this is just one of maybe half a dozen methods that a professional or an avid hobbyist can use these days. An understanding of different fabric printing techniques is necessary with the rise in demand for custom fashion, décor, and promotional textiles. Each method has its unique advantages depending on the type of fabric, level of design complexity, or the intended use.
These are the top 5 fabric printing techniques you should know about.
1. Sublimation Printing
Sublimation printing is largely popular for transferring bright designs onto polyester fabrics. It involves heating the dye so that it becomes a gas and then bonding to the fabric at a molecular level. This process imparts bright colors that stay for a long time and do not fade or crack with time.
Several textile printers use light sublimation paper on sublimation printers to assist in the even transfer of dye onto fabric. It is a good choice for making sportswear, active wear, and promotional items that require high-definition, full-color imagery.
2. Digital Textile Printing
Digital textile printing is the new and improved method of textile printing, whereby a digital design is directly printed onto the cotton fabric by means of an inkjet printing technology. It has the advantage of giving ultimate control over detail, color, and design: there are no physical screens or plates.
This technique can be applied in printing on cotton, silk, and blends. Fashion houses, interior designers, and artists rely on digital textile printing because it allows for fast turnaround and printing of unique or very limited edition designs.
3. Screen Printing
It is one of the most ancient printing techniques and is still widely used. This process involves pushing ink through a fine mesh, which has been stenciled with the desired pattern. Screen printing takes longer to set up but is great for larger runs and bold, durable prints.
It is best for solid color designs and thicker fabrics. It is overwhelmingly popular for all sorts of t-shirt bulk printing and printing on uniforms. Less so for short runs and highly detailed work, screen printing is far more economical for volume printing.
4. Heat Transfer Printing
Usually referred to as heat printing, this process consists of transferring a design from transfer paper onto fabric by applying heat under pressure. This process may be done on just about any material. e.g., cotton or polyester, or blends.
Small, handy custom apparel workshops mostly use this technique because it does not require heavy machinery. Heat printing is intended for printing names, numbers, and graphics onto t-shirts, tote bags, and so on. Considering the negatives, this method is less durable than sublimation printing, but it is flexible and easy to use, making it a preferred option for on-demand custom printing.
5. Block Printing
In all traditional methods of block printing, the carved wooden or rubber block would be dipped in dye and manually stamped on the fabric, mostly used for ethnic and artisanal textiles, especially in India.
Since block printing is a time-consuming process, it creates unique, handcrafted designs suitable for the eco-conscious and slow-fashion markets, and these are complementary to natural fibers like cotton and linen.
Final Thoughts
The fabric printing technique you choose depends on your project goal, material, and external needs. Sublimation printing and digital textile printing work for high-quality and detailed printing, while heat printing favors faster results with drafts. Then you have good old traditional methods of screen and block printing, which have their own durability and artisan charm.
Whether you're printing for business or personal use, knowing these methods helps you make better choices.
