53 Issue 257 - February / March 2025 email: editor@signlink.co.uk GARMENT AND APPAREL PRINT Entering the world of garment and apparel printing can be daunting. With the choice of fabric, printing technology, and software solutions all being pivotal to achieving eye-catching designs with lasting durability, every choice plays a crucial role in shaping the final product. With an increasing number of sign-makers choosing to offer direct-to-film (DTF) and direct-to-garment (DTG) options, we delve into this still-growing market, speaking to a range of experts in the field to provide advice for those wishing to expand into garment and apparel. Time for Tech Recent industry events such as FESPA Global Print Expo and The Print Show have seen a strong focus on garment printing technologies, with a number of major manufacturers bringing new products to the market. As with any technology, it’s crucial that the software working in tandem with machines is up to speed. The first hurdle of garment printing is creating a digital design suited for the fabric and the printing method. Different methods like DTG and DTF have unique requirements, influencing factors like colour resolution and detail. For Bobby Grauf, head of business development (EMEA) for printing design software, Antigro Designer, it’s important to nail these factors before printing begins, to avoid re-runs and wasted resources. “It’s crucial you get the basics right such as image quality and placement”, he explains, adding: “This includes image resolution, which should be at least 300dpi. As with other printed products, bleedlines – and in the case of garments, dyelines – also need to be considered to ensure parts of the design aren't missing.” Grauf also points towards some of the digital design choices that can maximise efficiency. “When designing for garment printing, it’s a good idea to create vector designs (made up of lines and shapes rather than pixels), as this means the designs can be scaled depending on the size of the garment without losing quality. “In DTF, maximising your transfer sheets THE INS AND OUTS OF GARMENT PRINTING From machine choice to fabric options, Jonathan Pert takes a look at the opportunities available to sign-makers looking to expand into the garment and apparel market, and the extra revenue it can bring in
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