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1. What is Ink Dye Sublimation? Ink dye sublimation is a process by which ink is applied to special (typically 72" x 56") paper by one of two processes: "Digital", or "Screen" (see below). Once the image has been printed onto it the paper is laid onto the bed of a gigantic heat press, the fabric is laid onto it, and when top of the press comes down, the two are super heated under pressure. At a certain temp the solid ink changes to a gas without ever becoming a liquid (hence "sublimation"), and bonds with the fabric on the molecular level. This results in a precisely rendered and vibrantly colored jersey, yet the fabric's performance is never affected. 2. What is Digital Sublimation? For normal orders (less than 250 shirts) we use the "digital" process because a separate file can be created for each. This paper is inked using a special digital printer and incredibly expensive high tech sublimation inks. This process enables us to produce individual shirts, or, within the context of a team order, we can change names, logos, and even colors within the basic design. Frequently, we produce a shirt body design for a team, wherein each team member will have their name and their individual sponsor logos on their respective jerseys. This individual's file is then saved, and extra identical shirts can be recreated at any time for no extra art charges (digital re-print), or, if for example his sponsors change, we can print new shirts with different logos for only the nominal price of removing and replacing art (see art price list. 3. What is Production Sublimation? For orders of over 250 or more shirts we use the Mechanical Screen Production process. This method employs the use of high tech screens to apply the inks. There is one screen for each color used on the shirt. This process is much faster then digital and much more cost effective for large orders, and now, due to new technology, a certain amount of individual sublimationpersonalizationcan be performed at a low extra cost per shirt. 4. Ready Made Designs This is where you choose a shirt body design layout from one of our existing templates. You will find them in our Ready Made Design Gallery. 5. Graphic Artists, "Lining Up" the shirt (Matching), Colors/Fabrics, and the "Print File":
Important notes about the services of an outside graphic artist (even one we recommend): These folks are graphic artists, not shirt specialists makers, so the fantastic design they draw for you is just that, a 2 dimensional drawing, it must still be vetted by us to make sure that two things are right correct (below), and a "Print File" created:
"Techwear USA Shirt Washing Instructions" : |
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