Screen Printing / Silk-Screening

An image is transferred to the printed surface by ink, which is pressed through a stenciled screen and treated with a light-sensitive emulsion. Film positives are put in contact with the screens and exposed to light, hardening the emulsion not covered by film and leaving a soft area on the screen for the squeegee to press ink through. A different screen for every color you are going to print must be created.  Each color is screened separately with drying time allowed in-between. 

Embroidery

Embroidery is the process of stitching a design into fabric through the use of high-speed, computer-controlled sewing machines. Artwork must first be "digitized", which is the specialized process of converting two-dimensional artwork into stitches or thread. A particular format of art such as a jpeg, tiff, eps, or bmp, cannot be converted into an embroidery tape. The digitizer must actually recreate the artwork using stitches. Then it programs the sewing machine to sew a specific design, in a specific color, with a specific type of stitch. This is the process known as digitizing.

Deboss

A debossed image is achieved by depressing an image into a material surface so that the image sits below the product surface.  A custom mold must be made

Emboss

An embossed design is one which impresses an image in relief to achieve a raised surface.

Pad Printing

A recessed surface is covered with ink. The plate is wiped clean, leaving ink in the recessed areas. A silicone pad is then pressed against the plate, pulling the ink out of the recesses, and pressing it directly onto the product.  This is most often used for rounded surfaces.

4-color Process

This is a system where a color image is separated into 4 different color values by the use of filters and screens (usually done digitally). The result is a color separation of 4 images, that when transferred to printing plates and printed on a printing press with the colored inks cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow and black, reproduces the original color image. These four colors can be combined to create thousands of colors just as your computer printer does.

Sublimation

Dye transfer process where the image consists of a colored dye permanently embedded into the material surface of pores. Used to imprint messages, graphics and photographs on a variety of items, primarily mouse pads, mugs, T-shirts, caps, and trophy medals.

Decal

Artwork is produced on a transparent decal or sticker before it is applied to product.

Offset Printing

Offset printing is a process of transferring ink from a metal printing plate to a rubber-covered cylinder. Used on more complex artwork and for higher quantity runs.