Four Color Process Screen Printing

Four Color Process Screen Printing

There are a few options for designers when considering a multiple color, photo realistic T-Shirt or other garment.  The primary process is Four Color Process Screen Printing with Simulated Four Color Process Screen Printing as a second option and Sublimation Printing as a third option.

Four Color Process Screen Printing

The process of Four Color Process Screen Printing is typically used on a white shirt to create photo realistic results.  An experienced screen printer like AMBRO Manufacturing will work with your design team to develop the color separations for your Four Color Process Screen Printing project.

Artwork in a JPG, BMP, PNG or other common format is separated into CMYK values and using specialized separation software, sequences of print are calculated to achieve the multi color result.

Once the color separations are completed, and the screens are burned, your screen printer can begin printing your Four Color Process Screen Printing just like any other screen print job.  The main differences in Four Color Process Screen Printing vs. traditional screen printing, is the type of inks used. 

Opaque / See Thru, inks are used in a 4 color process printing job.  This enables inks to lay on top of each other to create multiple colors out of 4 basic colors.  It is for this reason that the white background or white shirt is so critical.  White is one of the colors that is used to create the effect of the other colors.   Since the inks are opaque, the white base is a component of the color results.

If you need to have a shirt other than white for Four Color Process Screen Printing, then you will need to speak with your contract screen printer about using Simulated Four Color Process Screen Printing, which involves more than 4 colors.

If you are interested in Four Color Process Screen Printing, please consider giving us a call (908) 806-8337 or email us.

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Direct To Garment Printing

Direct To Garment Printing

The term Direct To Garment Printing is used to describe a little brother of screen printing.  In the traditional screen printing process, silk screens are used to create designs for T-Shirts and ink is forced through the screens to create a design which is then cured with heat.

When Direct To Garment Printing is used, the process is exactly what it sounds like, printing directly on the garment without the need for screens.

Direct To Garment Printing

Direct To Garment Printing equipment ranges in price from $20K on the low end up to over $100K on the high end.  The difference in price usually relates to speed and quality.  Most entry level machines that the vast majority of screen printers have are slow, and take many processes to work right.

As an example, the garment has to be “pre-treated” with special chemicals so that the Direct To Garment Printing ink will adhere.  Then it has to be dried.  Then re-loaded into the printer and printed, then dried again.

Direct To Garment Printing is handy when you have a multiple color job that is small in size.  The customer saves on screen setups and it’s a lot less work.  However, once you get into volume, Direct To Garment Printing becomes more expensive that traditional screen printing.

AMBRO Manufacturing is an experience garment, textile and clothing decorator with over 30 years of industry experience.  Our capabilities include Direct To Garment Printing, Sublimation Printing, Screen Printing, Embroidery and Jumbo Screen Printing and Cut and Sew. 

Working with one of our experience fashion consultants, we can assist you in determining which method of garment decorating both suits your needs and your budget.

If you are interested in Direct To Garment Printing, please consider giving us a call (908) 806-8337 or email us.