People worldwide have many shared preferences in clothing when it comes to fashion. Some like bright colors, and some like lighter ones. Some like patterns and some like images. These sub-segments create different markets based on various demands. To fulfill all the needs, clothing industries use lots of printing methods. These printing methods for printed cottons are not a few but many. You won’t believe unless you witness this list.
This printing method is one of the ancient methods still followed in some regions. Asian countries like China, India, and Pakistan have strong roots in this classic block printing. The art behind printing cotton is this one. If we go into detail, wooden blocks are manufactured by hand and work like stamps. Different patterns, primarily ethnic and geometrical ones, are carved on them. Since it is a manual method, all a worker has to do is dip this stamp in ink and press it on the cotton fabric. It requires expertise, accuracy, and training for perfect results. Therefore, each fabric sheet takes an hour or more for the full print.
A better version comes after it, which is common in many countries. Many clothing businesses still use screen printing from east to west because of its simplicity and customization. It comprises a stencil, a mesh screen, and a rubber plate. The stencil is placed on a mesh screen filled with ink. Then the rubber plate or squeegee presses the stencil on the screen to print the pattern. Usually, this method is standard for large images or letters. Screen printing provides ease in customized printing on T-shirts at a low cost.
This method is standard for large-scale printing, as in other industries. The rotary method has large rollers attached to a conveyor machine that print the pattern on the fabric that moves under them. These rollers have embossed patterns, making large-scale printing on fabrics easy. Moreover, ink is present inside them to keep the rollers wet. Therefore, when the fabric makes contact with the fabric passing on the conveyor belt, it gets an accurate and consistent print on it. It is an automatic method, which is suitable for bedsheets, curtains, clothing, and various types of applications. The rotary method is ideal for fabric bulk printing for consistent, balanced, and accurate results.
Then, a partial manual and automatic method comes: resist dyeing. It is the opposite of other methods. How is it opposite? It is the opposite because it dyes the entire fabric except the pattern. A manual or automatic method is followed to apply resistant material like wax or glue to the targeted areas. Then the cloth is dipped in or brushed with dye. After that, the resistant material, like wax or glue, is removed to get the print on the fabric. This is why it is the opposite of other fabric printing methods.
A very common, and still used, method is transfer printing. It is screen printing, but has advanced features. In this method, fabric is placed inside a printing frame that works like a sandwich maker. A paper with the polymer image or message is placed on the fabric, and the machine’s lid is closed. The heat inside the machine transfers the image from the paper to the fabric. Then the paper is removed from the fabric, and the polymer sticker remains. The transfer printing method is standard for customized T-shirts.
Sublimation printing is a similar heating method for fabric printing. It is common for polyester clothes like shirts and shorts. It is an advanced type of printing in which a sublimation image or pattern is transferred to the fabric. An operator places the paper with the pattern or image and sublimation ink on it. The machine heats the paper and transfers the print to the fabric.
Then, the most advanced printing method comes, which is digital. A digital printing method works like an inkjet printer. The only difference is that it prints fabric. Moreover, it does not need any stencil, roller, stamp, or sticker. It has liquid ink but needs to be filled in the ports. Then, it selects the colors just like an inkjet printer. It is like a better version of the sublimation method.
In the entire fabric industry, some familiar and repetitive prints are used. The reason is the preference and versatility of these patterns. Floral, geometrical, animal, and ethnic patterns are common throughout the industry. For instance, you can find Hawaiian shirts with evergreen floral patterns. No matter how far back you go in the past, these patterns never get old. Likewise, women's clothing has various types of floral patterns, which are mainly trending. Geometric patterns are common in men’s clothing, especially casual ones like t-shirts. Even semi-formal shirts have many patterns and designs from digital or manual printing methods.
Clothing companies know the importance of prints, and they use different methods of printing. Small-scale businesses prefer manual processes to keep costs low. However, large-scale businesses use roller methods for bulk printing, from clothing to bedding fabric. Each method has various advantages and fits different conditions.
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