Here at DSP.com we have extensive knowledge of all types of printing processes. Here a few of the differences between them:
this is your standard printing type. The ink is laid on top of the shirt which you can feel when running your hand across the ink. The thickness of the ink is also referred to as its "hand". The thicker the ink the more hand, the less ink the less hand. Some shops will put down a very think base of white, then print the other colors on top of the white. Generally, printing with a thick base of white isn't ideal in Texas because of the heat in the summer. Big deposits of ink are uncomfortable. You wont see this on our shirts. While our white is just a brilliant as others we lay down far less ink to achieve this, making your shirts more comfortable. If you've ever bought a shirt from a booster club or at a ball game, it was probably done with plastisol. 90% of all our jobs are printed with this process.
Water based ink goes into the fabric instead of resting on top of the shirt. There is almost no-hand to the ink. The only problem with this type of ink is it doesn't excel on dark shirts, and most people now days prefer dark shirts. However, the issue on dark shirts can be worked around by discharging the shirt (more on that below). Typically this process is used in fashion, next time your in an expensive boutique or Target, feel the shirts. If you cant feel the ink the shirt has either been printed with water-based ink or has been discharged.
Discharge Inks-Discharging is a process in which a special ink is used that removes the dye from the shirt. Once the dye has been removed from the shirt, you can then print your water based ink into the discharged areas achieving vibrant colors with no hand. Again this process is used alot in the fashion sector..
Foil can be applied to any shirt that has been screen printed with plastisol. You can foil over the whole design, or you can use the foil to highlight certain parts of the design. Once the shirt has been printed, foil is placed on top of the design, then heat pressed. Wherever there is ink and no foil resistor has been printed, the foil will adhere to it.
These are the main requests we have, however there are so many different types of ink these days that almost anything is possible. If you have a special requests, be high-density, rhinestones, or whatever else, let us know on your quote request and we will discuss your options with you. If you have seen an effect on a shirt and you just have to have it, let us know on the special request area on the get a quote page and we will contact you to discuss your options and costs.


