T-shirts have always been a popular item among the public. The styles are generally divided into round neck and V-neck according to the shape of the collar, and then derived into different categories of loose and slim fit. It can also be divided into sports and leisure categories according to the characteristics of the fabric. The reason why T-shirts have been favored for a long time lies in the changes in printing patterns and printing techniques.
Next, I will talk to you about some basic knowledge about T-shirt printing.
There are many classifications of printing materials, and the commonly used materials are generally divided into water-based and oil-based materials. Water-based materials are the most common materials that we are exposed to the most. Its characteristics are that it is easily absorbed by fabrics and can adhere and dry quickly. For printing factories, easy drying is of course the first factor to consider. The characteristics of oily materials are that they have higher mesh passing ability and are less likely to block the mesh, making them very suitable for high-precision patterns. However, due to its good mesh passing ability and difficulty in clogging the mesh, it also makes it difficult to dry. A drying system must be used to achieve its final adhesion function.
Since water-based materials are what we come into contact with the most, let’s talk about the application of this material in T-shirts from this aspect.
Water-based printing materials can also be divided into three categories: glue, semi-glue and water slurry. Each material has certain limitations in application.
As for fabrics, generally only glue materials can be selected for dark-colored fabrics. Glue has the best covering ability and the strongest adhesion ability among the three materials. Of course, due to this feature, the finished pattern will have the hardest feel among the three materials and the worst breathability. But after all, the printed pattern must be produced according to the designer’s ideas. In order to achieve the consistent feel and breathability of the pattern, it can only be ignored. If you must have both, then the pattern should adopt a dot-like design, the overall hollow parts of the pattern should be increased, and the standards for color expression should also be lowered.
For T-shirt printing semi-glue on medium and light color fabrics is undoubtedly the best choice. It is much better than glue in terms of feel and breathability, and its adhesion is also good, which can ensure that the pattern of this T-shirt is still intact when you no longer want to wear it. But its disadvantage is that the coverage is reduced, the color performance on medium-color fabrics will be greatly affected, and the printed pattern itself will also have a rough feeling. To reduce or avoid this disadvantage, the color design of the pattern needs to be controlled to a certain extent.
The best material in terms of feel and breathability is water slurry material, but its use has great limitations. Can only be used on white or very light fabrics. Color indication works well on white fabrics, but it will change color on other light-colored fabrics. Therefore, using water slurry materials on light-colored fabrics is also a test for designers in this field. Water-based materials print very easily, but will gradually fade over time and the number of times the garment is washed.
Through the above description, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of printing materials. Each of the three materials has its own functions and pros and cons. This may be the regret that we cannot have our cake and eat it too. But everyone has different views on the understanding of patterns. Some people value the visual sense of the pattern itself, some value the comfort of wearing it, and some people like the light version without printing! And all I want to say is: Just like it!
