Textile Printing Solutions Comparison

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	Traditional Screen Printing	Plastisol Heat Transfers	Dye Sublimation Digital Transfers	Dye Sublimation Digital Transfers with Subli-Dark^#	ChromaBlast Digital Cotton Transfers
Setup Costs	$$$	$$$	$	$	$$
Highlights	Large production runs very cost effective Print longevity High-impact/opaque colours Dye allows air circulation in fabric Print fluorescent and phosphorescent (glow-in-the-dark) images	Print many small designs/logos onto one large transfer sheet No need to inventory different printed t-shirts; transfer onto shirt when there is demand Eliminates the need to store screens Excellent for fine and halftone printing Quick transfer process Produce foil transfers using a printable adhesive first	Limited equipment required: Computer, printer & press Print full-colour detailed photographs, text or logos Quick setup time Effectively no cleanup process No chemicals, screens/frames Transfer cannot be felt on the garment Print will not wash out Not limited to just printing garments	Limited equipment required: computer, printer & press Print full-colour detailed photographs, text or logos Quick setup time Effectively no cleanup process No chemicals, screens/frames Using Subli-Dark allows you to transfer dye sublimation image onto cotton and dark garments Very easy to weed No application tape required Transfer is very thin Choose between glossy or matt transfer finish Excellent washability	Limited equipment required: computer, printer & press Print full-colour detailed photographs, text or logos Quick setup time Effectively no cleanup process No chemicals, screens/frames You cannot ‘feel’ the transfer on the garment Very soft hand that is reduced after the first wash Excellent washability Very simple 'Print & Press' operation - no additional steps required
Limitations	One-off jobs not cost effective due to setup required Requires a range of positives, chemicals, screens/frames, mesh and ink stock Full colour photographs require a 4 colour process print; 4 screens, 4 stencils, 4 positives, proofing, colour separations, etc	One-off jobs not cost effective due to setup required Transfer can be felt on the garment Transfer promotes perspiration Requires a range of positives, chemicals, screens/frames, mesh and ink stock Can’t iron plastisol	Transfer size limited to printer, press & paper size Limited range of polyester garments	Transfer size limited to printer, press & paper size Transfer can be felt on the garment however is very thin Requires a vinyl cutter with optical eye for best results otherwise scissors can be used for less complex images Transfer process is finalised with a 'finishing sheet' to improve washability	Transfer size limited to printer, press & paper size Slight over-print that is reduced after the first wash Cotton garments ‘fluff-up’ after the first wash though can be minimised with higher quality garments
Garment Fabric	Any^{^}	Any^{^}	Polyester Only	Any^{^}	Cotton Only^{^}
Garment Colour	Light & Dark	Light & Dark	Light Only	Light & Dark	White Only
Production Runs	Small to Large	Small to Large	One-offs to Medium	One-offs to Medium	One-offs to Medium
Starter Kits From	$7,900.00 View Textile Screen Printing Starter Kits	$9,850.00 View Plastisol Heat Transfer Starter Kits	$2,650.00 View Dye Sublimation Starter Kits		$3,390.00 View ChromaBlast Starter Kits
Rear More	Coming Soon	Coming Soon	What is the Dye Sublimation Heat Transfer system?		What is the Dye Sublimation Heat Transfer system?

^{^} GJS Machinery encourages users to conduct their own tests on specific garments. Certain fabric, media and ink combinations may not be suitable for certain garments. Contact us if you have any concerns.

^# Subli-Dark 301: The dye sublimation printed transfer is first cut-out (using hand scissors or a cutter with optical eye) and then transferred onto the garment. Backing paper removed and then pressed again with a 'Finishing Sheet' to improve washability.

^~ Depending on which Laser Transfer Paper you use - different paper for light and dark garments is available.