What is Screen Printing:
Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a woven mesh to support an ink-blocking stencil to receive a desired image. The attached stencil forms open areas of mesh that transfer ink or other printable materials which can be pressed through the mesh as a sharp-edged image onto a substrate. A fill blade or squeegee is moved across the screen stencil, forcing or pumping ink into the mesh openings for transfer by capillary action during the squeegee stroke. Basically, it is the process of using a stencil to apply ink onto a substrate, whether it be t-shirts, posters, stickers, vinyl, wood, or other material.
Screen printing is also a stencil method of print making in which a design is imposed on a screen of polyester or other fine mesh, with blank areas coated with an impermeable substance. Ink is forced into the mesh openings by the fill blade or squeegee and onto the printing surface during the squeegee stroke. Scroll down for a description of the different printing processes we offer.
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When choosing to work with Alston’s, you will automatically receive only our Premium Quality and Services. We do not believe our Clients should have to pay extra for the best quality. In addition to our Custom Tagless Care Tags, we also excel in the use of Water Based and Discharge inks. We are excited for these newer processes however, classic screen printing is always offered. As the world of Apparel Printing changes and grows, we will flourish along side and always offer you the best quality end product in both look and feel. Stop in today for a tour of our services.
We offer Simulated Process Printing, but what is it?
In basic terms, it is a superior method of printing awesome photo realistic images on any color garment. It is a more advanced technique that uses precision halftones of a few ink colors to represent the colors in the original graphic. Because the shirts colors are normally dark or primary colors, the simulated process generally requires the use of a white base. We can offer the best Simulated Process printing because it works best on darker garments such as black or dark charcoal. We are able to achieve this while giving it an almost weightless feel while still using the best products in the industry, which makes the final product more professional in both look and feel.
Spot Colors or Simulated Process Printing Sizing:
Standard: 12.5″ w x 16″ h max sizing
Jumbo: 16.5″ w x 21″ h max sizing
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Dye Discharge Printing, how does it work?:
Discharge Printing is a method which uses a color destroying agent to bleach the dye from a garment. This changes the printed area back to the natural or raw garment color which is usually a tan color. This is referred to as a Pure Discharge.
What we can do for you is add a color pigment infused as a dye that is immune to the agent that will then produce a vibrant color with a soft hand feel. This is referred to as a Color Discharge Print. This ink method is used on medium or dark colored shirts with lighter ink. It works with a variety of brands and styles of T-Shirts, with some styles and colors having stronger results than others. Unless a brand specifically guarantees that a garment is “Dischargeable”, it may not always work. 100% cotton shirts are highly recommended and we may choose an alternate Ink Method such as Water Based Ink for you instead.
We may also run an additional pass to your garments to ensure brightness of, white for example, at no additional cost to you. We can also use a Pantone Color with discharge ink, however results may vary depending on the garment color, brand, and blend of cotton.
Garments printed with Discharge Inks should be washed before you can feel the full potential of the soft hand feel.
◦PRINTS BEST ON 100% COTTON
◦RED, ROYAL BLUE, PURPLE, AND TEAL GARMENTS ARE NOT DISCHARGEABLE
◦PRINTS FAIRLY CLEAN OVER SEAMS
◦CAN NOT GUARANTEE A PERFECT PANTONE COLOR MATCH
◦STAY AWAY FROM 50/50 AND TRI BLEND MATERIAL
◦SOFT HAND FEEL
◦IF NEEDED, THIS PRINT METHOD CAN CREATE A VINTAGE LOOK ON NON 100% COTTON BLENDS
◦ECO-FRIENDLY
◦SAFE FOR CHILDREN
Standard: 12.5″ w x 16″ h max sizing adds .20 per color per side
Jumbo: 16.5″ w x 21″ h max sizing adds .30 per color per side
Additional Fee is waived if ordering 20 pieces or more.
Alston Ink Recommends washing of Dye Discharged apparel before selling or usage.
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Waterbased Printing sounds cool but whats the process?:
Water-based ink utilizes either dyes or pigments in a suspension with water as the solvent. The evaporation of the water is necessary to set or cure the ink. We use gas dryers to increase the efficiency of this method and also to decrease our carbon footprint. Plus, this ink type is safe for Children.
Water Based inks are essentially dyed into the fabric allowing for a soft hand feel.
This method is best when used on white or light colored garments. The colors are vibrant and should last the life of the shirt if properly taken care of. Water Based inks should be washed before you can feel the full potential of the soft hand feel.
◦SOFT HAND FEEL
◦BEST WHEN USED ON WHITE AND LIGHT COLOR SHIRTS
◦ECO-FRIENDLY
◦SAFE FOR CHILDREN
Standard: 12.5″ w x 16″ h max sizing adds .10 per color per side
Jumbo: 16.5″ w x 21″ h max sizing adds .20 per color per side
Additional Fee is waived if ordering 20 pieces or more.
Foil Overlays:
We are so Sorry we no longer offer this process, as it will not hold up long term. Instead we focus on our other products and services with the most stringent quality standards.
In House Art Charges:
Please send us the highest DPI (quality) or vector based art that you have. We prefer .AI, .EPS files that are not bitmap all images must be embedded. Raster images should be saved as .TIFF (one color) or .PSD document w/layers (multi-color) whenever possible, and save it the size your desire it printed on the garment. Please remember to convert all text to outlines or curves as apposed to fonts. All other formats may require additional art charges of $25.00 per hour. $25.00 minimum.
Note: Alston Corporation owns rights to all "screens, and films".
Spoilage:
Although our normal spoilage is insignificant, we do allow for 2% damage, (4% on darks).
More to come….
Alston T-Shirt Printing and Embroidery © 2009-2013