Printing and embroidery techniques

Plastisol ink combines cost-efficiency with extensive applicability. This pigment-rich ink deposits a remarkably opaque layer on textiles, resulting in vibrant and deep colors. Its ability to be customised to any Pantone® colour allows for a wide color spectrum, with the addition of luxurious options such as gold and silver.

Unlike plastisol ink, water-based ink is known for its ecological benefits. This type of ink is a popular choice for printing on organic textiles, contributing to the production of eco-friendly items. Water-based ink slightly penetrates the fabric, resulting in an exceptionally soft finish of the printed material once dry. 

Craquelé ink is ideal for creating an authentic distressed or vintage style, an ongoing trend in fashion. This special ink makes it simple to achieve an old or used effect. Once the ink has hardened, stretching leads to a unique Craquelé effect, creating the appearance of natural weathering or chipping.

Developed on the basis of plastisol, glow-in-the-dark ink is distinguished by its ability to store light and emit it in dark environments, creating an enchanting blue or green glow. This special ink, which appears white, light green or light blue in daylight, transforms into a source of mystical light in the dark. For the most impressive glow-in-the-dark effects, application over a white base colour is recommended, significantly increasing the glow's intensity and visibility. 

Suede or puff ink introduces a tactile dimension to printing through its ability to swell and form a three-dimensional effect when drying. The result is a surface with a soft, matte texture that feels pleasant to the touch. This innovative ink can be customised to any colour from the Pantone ® spectrum, opening up a wide range of design possibilities. Combining suede ink with traditional inks creates a captivating contrast in height and texture, giving designs an extra dimension.

Discharge ink, a water-based variant, penetrates the fabric similar to standard water-based inks. However, it is distinguished by the addition of a 'discharge agent', a chemical agent that removes the original color of the textile. This technique was developed specifically for printing on dark textiles, bleaching out the underlying color to make the design visible. This process results in sharp, bright prints on otherwise difficult-to-print dark fabrics.

UV-reactive ink, which is water-based, changes color when exposed to UV light or blacklight, producing spectacular effects. Available in multiple colors, this translucent ink performs best on light-colored clothing or over a white base coat, maximising the vibrancy and intensity of the color change.

Characterized by its ability to create a striking 3D effect, this ink is applied in multiple layers for impressive relief. A unique feature of this technique is the ability to render the underlying layers in a different color from the top one, creating a dynamic and multi-layered visual effect. This method lends itself perfectly to enriching garments such as crewnecks and hoodies, adding a tactile dimension and a visually appealing finish.

Screen printing transfers offer an ideal method for printing various items with complex, multi-colored designs in small batches. This process involves applying the design as a mirror image to a polyester sheet using the screen printing technique. This image is then transferred to the desired textile via a heat press. This technique is particularly suitable for printing over seams and in hard-to-reach areas of clothing items, making it a versatile choice for detailed and precision-demanding projects. 

DTF-Full-colour transfers combine the efficiency of digital printing techniques with the flexibility of transfer printing, making it easy to apply colourful images or photos to a variety of textiles, even in small runs. This method, which excels at printing on both light and dark substrates, involves printing designs directly onto a vinyl film. The design is then transferred to the textile using a heat press, resulting in vibrant, durable colour prints suitable for various applications, without the need for extensive preparation or high initial costs.

Flex transfers are an effective printing technique for applying designs such as letters, numbers and logos to textiles, where a thin, flexible film is precisely cut from PVC or vinyl and then attached using a heat press. This printing technique is perfect for single-color designs and small runs, ideal for personalising team and sports shirts. With its high opacity and wide color spectrum, the flex transfer technique ensures durable, bright prints that retain their color after many washes.

Brick transfer is a variation of 3D heat transfer and uses a special PVC film that can be cut up to 1 mm thick for an impressive relief effect on textiles. Like flex transfers, this thick film is applied to clothing using a heat press, giving designs a tactile dimension. Available in both matt and gloss finishes and six colors, brick transfer combines the durability and visual impact of traditional transfers with an extra layer of texture, perfect for accentuating logos, text and other decorative elements on a wide range of textile products.

Sublimation is an advanced technique that uses a unique chemical process to transform ink from a solid form directly to gas, embedding the ink deep into the textile fabric. This process is carried out using a heat press which allows the ink to fuse with the material, resulting in vibrant and long-lasting prints. It is suitable for light fabrics. This method starts with digitally printing the prefe image on special sublimation paper. The image is then 'baked' into the textile under high temperature. Sublimation printing is known for its ability to deliver bright, full-colour designs that are fade, peel or crack resistant, perfect for applications such as sportswear and promotional material.

Embossing is also known as relief printing. It is a printing technique that can be applied to different materials such as cotton, polyester and fleece. With this technique, a plastic paste is applied to the back of the textile, followed by the use of a relief stamp to create a raised pattern in the material. This unique method adds texture and depth to textiles, making it ideal for sweaters, hoodies and even T-shirts.

3D embroidery is a sophisticated technique where embroidery is created with a raised and tactile effect. Unlike traditional flat embroidery, 3D embroidery uses extra padding to allow the design to stand out and create a three-dimensional aspect. This creates a striking and tactile result that is visually and texturally rich. 3D embroidery is often applied to logos, initials and other designs to give them extra impact and a luxurious look to clothing, accessories and other textile products. 

This is a technique in which fabrics or materials are attached to a surface embroidery. This involves cutting out pieces of fabric or other materials and then sewing them onto the textile using an embroidery machine. This creates a decorative effect and adds extra dimension and texture to the design. embroidery application is often used to apply logos, emblems or other designs to clothing, accessories or other textile products, giving them a unique and personalized look.