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FABRIC PRINTING ON-DEMAND (DYE SUBLIMATION OR SCREEN PRINTING)
Choose your design and your patterns, or select one of 500 current options, on our fabric!
Fabric printing is the art of using pigmented dyes and placing designs or lettering onto fabric. At Canvas ETC, our smart dye sublimation process allows you to select and submit any high quality design files to us to digitally print on any of our fabric options.
Very different from screen printing, dye sublimation printing transfers the dyes into the fabric itself, and not onto the fabric as screen printing does.
No matter the amount of colors required for your design, the cost to you is the same. Fabric printing at Canvas ETC. provides a complete and turn-key solution to meet your design needs and specifications.
Why Choose Fabric Printing?
Textile printing has an interesting origin. It’s first uses are visibly apparent in tapestries or wall hangings during the 12th century. These fabrics didn’t require much washing, therefore the fabric wouldn’t lose it’s dye easily.
For the centuries that followed, printing on banners or other decor was commonplace. It wasn’t until the 17th century that textile dye houses began popping up all over Europe, mostly in England. While most were single dye processes, some custom fabric printing utilized various colors.
Now, fabric printing is possible at home. For small projects, printing at home would be acceptable. But printing your designs for commercial use works best through a vendor who knows the ins and outs of printing on fabric.
Fabric printers like Canvas ETC understand your printing needs.
So, why choose fabric printing? If you’re showcasing your brand, product, or service, printing on fabric like tablecloths or pipe and drape kits for trade shows help your consumers know what your brand is about. Overall, digital textile prints catch the eyes of customers and help market your ideas in a favorable light.
Fabric Printing Process
Printing onto fabric relies on many factors. From dyes to the fabrics themselves, there are many different ways for custom prints to adhere and last onto fabric. One of the more innovative and recent technologies for fabric involves digital printing.
Digital printing onto fabric came about in the late 1980’s as an alternative to screen printing. Screen printing remains an option for printing onto all sorts of fabrics, however it’s a manual option. Digital printing lends itself to more automated processes, resulting in clean, precise print jobs onto fabric.
For digital printing, a dye sublimation printer is key. This computer printer works together with heat to dye custom designs onto synthetic fabric. Special dyes diffuse onto the substrate to make one-of-a-kind outputs for your use.
The heat involved with sublimation or dye-diffusion printing onto fabric needs to be set within a certain range for dyes to adhere. When the temperature reaches 350 degrees, the dye can stick to the fabric. For more vivid coloring, digital textile printing experts advise the dyes become heated anywhere between 380 to 420 degrees.
Usually, one color at a time becomes printed onto your fabric. Once each color has been placed onto your item, a protectant rolls onto your fabric for longevity. What you’re left with is a detailed and wonderfully custom printed product.
Dyes for Digital Fabric Printing
Digital printing on fabric requires the right dyes for the job. The proper dyes ensure that your custom printed fabric will not only look great, but also stand the test of time and use. A few popular digital fabric dyes are called dispersed, pigmented, acid, or reactive inks.
Dispersed dyes for digital printing onto fabric adhere deep within your textile, transforming the fabric into your final image. This becomes possible when the ink heats to an appropriate temperature and converts the dye into a gas. The heat is also applied to the fabric and they mend together to form one finished printed product.
Pigmented dyes are fine, powdery inks that work best with natural fabrics. When heated, they adhere to the fabric. This pigment works great for fabrics like linen or cotton twill. For pigmented dyes to successfully work, they’re put through a liquid process and then bound to the fabric.
Acid dyes only work with fabrics that go through a treatment prior to printing. Therefore, for the ink to set into fabrics like silk or nylon, they’re steamed. Acid inks may leave residue onto fabrics, so fabrics are usually washed after printed on to remove any residual ink.
So, reactive dyes only work with synthetic fabrics. They bond with the cellulose within certain fabrics like rayon or polyester to bleed into the textile. Like acid inks, they’ll require a washing after printing to remove any residue.
Best Fabrics for Custom Printing
Most fabrics on the market today work well for custom print work. The handful of fabrics that stand out over the majority of printable fabrics are:
- Polyester: This synthetic fabric is one of the most popular options when printing onto fabric. Polyester bonds well with various ink styles for custom printing. For your trade shows or events, polyester will stand up against the wear and tear, as well as remain complaint for shows.
- Vinyl: Another favorite of those participating in convention style events, vinyl is not only printable, but long lasting. This durable fabric catches the eye of prospective customers and vendors alike. Stand apart from your competition with a vivid and well made vinyl printed product.
- Nylon: This fabric is also synthetic like polyester, however it usually comes in lighter weight offerings. Nylon’s high tensile strength helps keep your printed fabric going for any event or occasion.
- Cotton: Cotton works well as a natural alternative for printing. Variably weighted and extremely versatile, printing on cotton is a breeze for anything you’ll want to broadcast.
Printing on fabric doesn’t have to be a chore! Working with the right fabric and printing supplier makes putting your message out there simple. Our custom printing onto various fabrics serves many different needs.
Custom Printing Events and Occasions
Fabric printing makes sense when it’s for a special occasion. From custom messages of congratulations to promotion of a service or product, printing on fabric for signage is ideal for just that.
One of the places custom fabric printing is usually seen are trade shows. Trade shows exist to bring vendor and consumer closer so that everyone learns more about a business, good, or service. These events take place everywhere from local community centers to convention halls.
Trade show booths house all sorts of signage and promotional products. Typically, vendors have custom printed items from fabric like banners or tablecloths showcasing their products and services. These items help vendor and customer connect to learn more about what they’re all about.
Use printed fabric signage for variety of company events. If you’re running a job fair or holding a corporate event, custom printed information on fabric adds a level of sophistication.
Milestone occasions like retirement or important birthdays are great for custom printed items on fabric. Creating banners or backdrops for DIY photo booths to enjoy at your event leaves your guests impressed.
There’s no limit to what you’re able to make with fabric that has your custom message or pictures.
Applications Using Printed Fabric
As previously mentioned, there’s no limit to what sort of products or applications work best when printed upon. Some more popular applications printed upon for use are:
- Garments: Printing your message or showcasing your goods onto garments like t-shirts or jackets is one of the most well known ways to print on fabric. While silk screening garments still occurs today, digital printing has made it possible for printing on all styles of garments quickly and very uniquely.
- Tote Bags: Who doesn’t love a free tote bag? If you’re creating promotional products for your business and want to include your logo onto a tote bag, we’ve got you covered. From concept to creation, Canvas ETC will get you convention ready with promotional materials.
- Banners: Be seen with a custom printed banner onto fabric. With great options to choose from, you’re able to make your banner as exclusive as your business or event.
- Tablecloths: Do you have an upcoming trade show? Custom printed tablecloth with your choice of fabric goes a long way in promoting your business and products.
With so many wonderful applications using printed fabric, it’s no wonder so many choose to attract the right attention with their custom prints.
Wholesale Custom Printed Fabric With Canvas ETC
Digital printing onto fabric is made simple with the help of Canvas ETC. While a minimum order is definitely encouraged, we do offer wholesaling options if you’re printing in bulk.
Also, to eliminate time and to bring greater efficiency to your production, we’ll go one step further and complete the job for you with our in-house sewers.
Our dye sublimation equipment offers many custom printing options, and on-demand manufacturing for entire fabric rolls, patterned pieces, or small yardage cuts.
The dye-sub process ensures that your fabric retains its original color tones and is virtually resistant to fading, cracking or peeling.
If you have a need for fabric printing, please connect with us to learn more. We’ll help you create the foundation for an amazing project!