The Death of Screen Printing for Team Uniforms

To commemorate 2010, I’ll be putting out top 10 lists throughout the year…

Our first Top 10 is…

The Top Ten Reasons Why:  New Digital Print Cut Heat Press Technology and YOUR Customer will bring about the Death of Screen Printing for Team Uniforms

I urge you to share your comments at the end of this post.

Let’s look at the reasons why….

1. INVENTORY – When screen printing numbers you need to have a separate 20″ x 6′ (yes 6 foot) screen for every font that you want to offer in every size number.  So 4″, 6″, 8″, 10″ & 12″ numbers x 10 fonts = 50 screens.  Oh – if you want to do 2 color numbers in these fonts multiply 50 x 2 for 100 screens.  With print/cut technology, no screens.  You click and type your font choice and numbering size into a  software.

2. COLOR – Screen Printing requires inks.  These inks must be purchased in the proper color or mixed with another color to achieve the desired result.  This gets complicated, takes space, takes knowledge and takes dollars to stock ink.  With digital print/cut technology you select the color from your infinite color palette in your graphics program and the magic happens.  The printer mixes the CMYK inks to produce your color.

3. NAMES – Screen Printing names can be very difficult and lead to an even larger inventory of screens.  With digital print cut technology you just type the name over your number in your graphics program.  The machine prints and cuts the design in perfect registration.

4. TRAPPING – Most screen printers will use a process called trapping to produce a two color number.  Trapping can get complicated when you consider using a non migrating ink as a base color for certain light/dark combinations.  You also must flash cure in between colors.  With digital print cut technology – design a second color, a third color or even a fourth within the graphics program.  Then the printer produces all colors on a single layer for easy application with a heat press.

5. SPECIAL EFFECTS – Screen Printing special effects into numbers can get complicated.  It’s near impossible to produce numbers that include color gradients or unique effects within the number.  With digital print cut technology you can overlay any effect into the number or name and simply print it.  This is becoming popular with certain team sports – camo numbers, distressed numbers, club branding and more, all possible.

6. LEARNING CURVE - Screen Printing suppliers put on entire universities and week-long classes teaching new printers the basics with screen printing.  Digital print cut technology for apparel can be taught in its entirety in just a couple days and in some cases hours. 

7. FABRICS – Screen Printing mesh is a pain and a lot of uniforms are comprised of mesh.  Screen Printing pushes wet ink through the mesh holes and leaves it on your platen or in some cases cardboard insert.  When you remove the jersey you run the risk of contacting wet ink.  Digital print and cut technology uses a film – no wet ink to smear and damage a jersey.  Also – when you consider the wide range of fabric blends showing up in the team market it’s much easier to pick between just a few print cut materials with specific adhesives rather than trying to learn what type of ink to use and what additives are necessary. 

8. DURABILITY - Screen Printing once held advantages.  With solvent printers and lab certified films that gap has officially been closed.

9. SAFETY - A large part of the buying market for team lettering and number is under the age of 12.  New legislation will dictate that you must have a product that meets certain certifications if you want to sell to this group – see CPSIA.  Print cut technology features films (at a low price) that meets this certification and more.

10. YOUR CUSTOMER - Screen Printing has always been the choice product due to its mass exposure at a retail level.  With the rise of online retailing and mass customization, the public perception of heat applied graphics and digital printing has improved drastically.  Now  your customer is ready to be presented with a solution that meets all of their demands when it comes to look, feel, durability, safety and price…..

….and ultimately this why we will see the death of screen printing for team uniforms – your customer will lead the charge towards easier, cleaner, safer, simpler technology that fits their needs.

NOTE FROM JOSH

For a ready to apply sample of print/cut material for your team uniform of choice, drop me an email at josh@cadcutdirect.com Please specify whether you have a heat press, vinyl cutter or solvent printer when emailing your request.

As always thanks for reading and follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/joshellsworth to get all the content I publish including videos, blog posts, articles and more.

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Tags: heat press, Versacamm, print & cut, screen printing, team uniforms, CPSIA, roland, mimaki, mutoh, hp solvent, valuejet, top 10, numbering, team sports