Heat Press Yourself by: Josh Ellsworth

The Cad-Print Process is a new category of apparel decoration.  

The Cad-Print process does compare favorably against other leading technologies such as Direct to Garment Printing and should be considered by anyone looking to further their personalization or low quantity run capabilities or for those looking to decorate tough to do fabrics and items. 

Before I go into detail about the process I first want to say that I am extremely pumped to be associated with the release of this process - I can see and have seen what it can do for businesses looking to offer professional heat applied graphics. I just completed a new video series that will soon be posted and show the complete process and explain its versatility.  To get updated on when the videos are posted - just subscribe to my blog by clicking here.

To wet your appetite read on….

The process involves a few steps:

Step 1:  Printing and Cutting a design on a solvent based printer/cutter - I prefer the Versacamm

Step 2:  Weeding away the unwanted portions of the design:

Step 3:  Masking the design

Step 4:  Lifting the design

Step 5:  Positioning the design on your fabric and heat applying it.

This process relies on revolutionary new materials that are set to take the market by storm.  The Cad-Color line of products features a universal adhesive called STX-2.  This technology/adhesive allows any material in the line of product to be heat applied to any fabric and not crack or peel.  The process also utilizes the eco-solvent max inks when used with the Versacamm and will not fade when laundered.

Various material finishes that are available for this process include:

• A Reverse print clear material for light colored fabrics.
• An Opaque material for dark colors.
• A Puff material that looks like puff ink.
• A silver based material that turn printed color metallic.
• A Sublimation Block material that prevents dye migration on problem fabrics (when white film turns pink)

Each material has its own characteristics, with the standard materials - the opaque and clear - offering a very soft feel as well as stretch and rebound characteristics.

Note:  While it is not the definition of the Cad-Print Process - the same printer and inks can be used to direct print banners as well as create a variety of stickers, decals and signage.

Questions and Info / Applied Sample Requests can be emailed direct to me at josh@imprintables.com - Please put Cad-Print in the subject line.