You need to be choosy while selecting the printing method for your fabric by keeping in mind the printing process and availability of the colors. Below are the most commonly used printing methods adopted by the textile owners.
1. Dye Sublimation Printing
This is a multistep process and provides good results than the other printing methods. Designs are engraved on the heated thermal paper these papers are known as dye sublimation paper. Then the heat and pressure are applied to the paper and the fabric so that the designs are transferred to the fabric. The quality of the fabric also remains untouched as it was before the printing process.
With the dye sublimation process, there will be no stains left on the fabric. This is one of the eco-friendly printing processes with water-based inks.
Above all this process is slightly costlier than the other and requires knowledge and experience.
2. Screen Printing
Screen printing is a hand-based method. The screen/films are used to transfer the designs or patterns onto the fabric. This method is very popular in the textile industry. Basically a stencil and a nylon mesh are used in screen printing to transfer the design. The material is used to block the space of your fabric on which the design is to be printed. Then this blocked area is swamped with the ink. However, the wooden squeegee is used to work the color through the screen to the fabric.
Through screen printing, you can print the light as well as dark colors on the fabric with the same intensity. The designs created are long-lasting.
This prossess is a labour-intensive process, so it costs comparatively high. It also produces more waste than other processes.
3. Block Printing
With this method, you can create designs with wood or metal blocks. The designs are to be carved on the material and the dyes are applied to the material. Now, these blocks are to be pressed on the fabric so that the designs can be printed on the fabric.
There is no need for machinery in this process so its a cost-effective method. This process is very adequate for small runs.
As all the work has to be done manually it can take a lot of your time and there can be errors as well. And it becomes hectic to have different types of blocks for the different designs.
