We were making Tees, Polo Shirts, Fleece jackets with different types of printing. That time I learnt many things to get printing done correctly.
Most of the things I learnt by doing mistakes. Buyer’s comments and buying house merchants helped me a lot to correct those mistakes. If you are working in merchandising or in pre-production and getting issues to get correct printing done for the first time, the following tips will be helpful to you.
1. Follow Right Print Artwork
When you send print artwork (print design) to your printer to develop screens, always check if you have approved the artwork. Don’t send unapproved print artwork. Ask merchants for approved one and wait until you get signed artwork.
2. Check Artwork Size and Screen Size
In some styles (articles) print image size varies according to garment size. The buyer normally mentions such a requirement in the artwork or in samples. Check techpack thoroughly for such requirements. In case you need, develop multiple screens for different garment sizes. Otherwise, your production will be got delayed.
3. Check Print Placement
While printing is done on garment panels or on the stitched garments ensure that design is printed on right place. Buyer mentions the print placement in the techpack or on the artwork. Most of the buyers give distance for print placement as print position from top and position from side seam. Communicate the print placement to your printer. Don’t assume that printer will do it correctly without your clear and written instruction. For critical images you can even develop pattern and mark print placement on it to avoid mistakes.
4. Check Print Direction
Sometimes you might need to follow direction (fabric grain line or off grain) for printing on fabric. In such cases pattern direction and print direction must be taken in consideration. Consult with pattern master (sampling team) when you print (all over print) on fabric roll.
5. Cutting of Panels
6. Approval on Bulk Print Color
7. Selecting Right Print type
8. Common Tests for Print
(b) Test Curing Effect: Check fastness to curing/heat. Many times base fabric shade gets changed after curing. For few fabrics shrinkage might happen. Take care of these things and incorporate these in bulk processing.
These are few what I had learned. You might also face some difficulties in getting printing done correctly at the first time. Share your thought and learning.
Tell us your secrets to get printing done the right first time.
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