Beyond basic prints: exploring fabric printing types to elevate your creations!

As we know, fabric printing has grown in popularity in recent years, and its widespread use continues to rise. Prints can be applied to various types of knits and woven fabrics, and professional textile printing ensures a well-executed pattern and design. But which fabric printing method should you choose, and which techniques are the most popular? You’ll find out in the article below.

What is fabric printing most commonly used for?

As we know, it’s up to the clients to decide what kind of design they want to bring to life. Most fabric printing companies offer ready-made templates available in their shop, which allows for a wide range of fabric prints that look great on various products. Natura ECO specializes in printing on items such as:

• cotton tote bags,

• cotton pouches,

• custom jewelry pouches,

• branded cosmetic bags,

• sailor bags.

Fabric printing can be easily tailored to your needs. Depending on the desired outcome and the specifics of the order, various fabric printing techniques are used. This ensures that each product stands out not only with high-quality print but also with the right level of durability. So, what methods are commonly used in textile printing facilities? We’ll cover that in the following section.

Types of fabrics for printing

Choosing the right fabric for printing is essential to achieving both quality and longevity in the final product. Depending on the intended use and the desired visual effect, three main types of fabrics are commonly used in textile printing: polyester, cotton, and blended fabrics.

Polyester fabrics

Polyester fabrics are among the most popular materials for printing. They are durable, resistant to mechanical damage, and easy to maintain. Printing on polyester fabric is made possible through sublimation printing technology, which allows for vibrant colors and long-lasting results. Thanks to this, polyester fabric printing is ideal for producing flags, banners, or sportswear. It's worth noting that sublimation on polyester ensures intense, vivid colors that do not fade even after many washes.

Cotton fabrics

Cotton fabrics are natural materials that are eco-friendly and safe for health. They are soft, pleasant to the touch, and easy to care for. Printing on cotton is achieved through digital printing technology, which provides high-quality colors and durability. Cotton fabric printing is perfect for everyday clothing, tote bags, aprons, or kitchen towels. With digital printing, you can achieve highly detailed patterns and a full range of colors, making cotton products both unique and visually appealing.

Blended fabrics

Blended fabrics combine different materials, such as polyester and cotton. They are durable, resistant to wear and tear, and easy to maintain. Printing on blended fabrics is possible using both sublimation and digital printing technologies, which allow for excellent color quality and long-lasting prints. These fabrics bring together the best qualities of both fibers, making them versatile and ideal for a wide range of products — from apparel to home accessories. As a result, printing on blended fabrics is a great choice for even the most demanding customers.

Read also: Unlocking the magic of DTG: what's the buzz all about?

Professional fabric printing

By now, you probably know that printing on fabric or other materials like clothing requires specialized equipment - a regular home printer simply won’t do the job. These tasks are typically handled by professional textile printing companies. With the client's design, the right fabric, and appropriate technology, a textile printing house can fulfill orders according to the desired patterns. There are many printing methods available, and it’s important to choose manufacturers who have access to modern technical equipment.

Sublimation (transfer) printing

Sublimation printing is one of the more advanced printing techniques. As the name suggests, sublimation is a key part of the process. But what does that mean? Sublimation refers to the direct transition of a substance from a liquid to a gaseous state. In fabric and knitwear printing, an indirect sublimation technique is used. The initial print is made on special transfer paper. Then, using a heat press, the design is transferred directly onto the fabric.

This application method ensures high durability of the print. The transfer takes place under high temperature and pressure. However, it’s important to note that this type of printing is suitable only for fibers like polyester. Sublimation printing does not work on natural fabrics. In such cases, the type of material may determine the need to choose a different printing method.

Screen Printing

This is a very old technique that has survived to this day thanks to advancements in technology. To create a print on fabric using this method, a stencil is placed on a mesh screen. Ink is then pushed through the stencil in such a way that it transfers only onto the selected areas of the fabric.This printing method remains one of the most popular in today’s market. One of its key advantages is the ability to use various colors while ensuring excellent print durability.

Screen printing is highly effective on different types of fabrics and knits. It works well on natural fabrics, as well as synthetic and artificial materials. Moreover, screen printing is not limited to clothing - it is also ideal for printing on accessories and promotional items, such as umbrellas or belts. If you're placing a bulk order, screen printing is often the best choice. While it requires creating a dedicated stencil (which can be relatively expensive), it only needs to be made once. This allows for the production of many printed items using the same screen. Additionally, screen printing enables light colors to be printed on dark fabrics - to achieve this, a white base layer is applied beneath the desired color.

Digital Printing

Digital printing on fabrics works in much the same way as an inkjet printer on paper. One of the main advantages of this method is its low cost for small print runs, as no printing screen or stencil is required. Any graphic can be printed, with no limitations on color choices or tonal gradients. This type of printing is created by applying minimal droplets of dye directly onto the fabric to form a pattern. Digital textile printing uses the CMYK color model, which in theory allows for printing in any color within the standard palette.

However, in practice, there are some limitations - colors that are difficult to reproduce, such as metallics, fluorescents, or those from the PANTONE palette, are more restricted. Digital fabric printing is most often performed on light-colored fabrics. Printing white dots on a dark background, for example, is a tedious and inefficient process, as it would require printing the entire fabric in dark tones while leaving the dots unprinted.

On the other hand, digital printing is excellent for reproducing photographs, intricate designs, and smooth tonal transitions. Depending on the type of substrate being printed on, digital printing is typically divided into two categories:

• DTG (Direct to Garment) – digital printing directly onto finished garments like t-shirts or hoodies.

• DTT (Direct to Textile), also known as Roll-to-Roll printing – digital printing onto fabric rolls, which are later cut and sewn.

DTG – Direct to Garment

DTG printing, or “direct to garment,” refers to printing designs directly onto finished clothing items. This technique allows for applying a print onto a fully produced garment, meaning the product is printed after it has already been manufactured. Once removed from the printer, the printed item is ready for immediate use. DTG is a great option when customers want to personalize or brand ready-made products such as:

• t-shirts

• cotton tote bags

• aprons, etc.

With DTG printing, there is no need to prepare screens, stencils, or printing plates, which significantly lowers the cost per item. This makes DTG an ideal solution for personalizing single items or producing very small print runs. However, it’s worth noting that DTG printing is limited in terms of print size - the maximum print area is 40x50 cm.

Direct to Textile/Roll-to-Roll – printing on fabric rolls

In this method, a large digital printer is loaded with a roll of plain, unprinted fabric. The fabric is then printed across its entire surface, giving the client full freedom to create any kind of sewn product they envision. Once the material has been printed, the desired shapes and patterns are cut out, and the final products are sewn. These may include:

• cotton tote bags,

• aprons,

• kitchen towels,

• tablecloths,

• cotton pouches, etc.

With the DTT / Roll-to-Roll method, it’s possible to print on every part of the fabric, including bag handles, all sides, or pockets. These products look unique and are highly appreciated by customers.

What other fabric printing methods are worth considering?

Sometimes, due to the specific nature of the material or design, it’s necessary to use alternative textile printing techniques. Below are some additional methods that ensure your print on fabric always looks perfect.

Plastisol printing

Plastisol printing can be applied to nearly any type of fabric — including knits, sweaters, and denim. The base fabric color is also flexible; even dark materials can be used. In such cases, a layer of white ink is first printed, followed by the final color. The plastisol inks used in this method create a distinctive coating that resembles rubber.

This technique produces a highly durable print that offers excellent color accuracy and definition. Importantly, plastisol printing allows for creating prints with varying thicknesses and textures - from heavily raised and tactile to smooth and subtle. The process also requires very high temperatures, which ensures that the print remains intact and will not wash out, even when exposed to hot water.

Flex foil printing

A fabric printing shop specializing in this method can offer prints on more challenging materials, such as reflective foil. Other suitable materials for this technique include polyester, viscose, and acrylic. Additionally, this method doesn’t require creating a special screen or stencil. To produce a flex foil print, a plotter (a machine used to cut designs) cuts shapes out of colored foil.

To achieve a more complex design with multiple colors, parts must be cut from various foil sheets. A downside of this method is its sensitivity to heat - the final product must be ironed from the reverse side to avoid damaging the print. For clothing manufacturers, this may not be the most practical printing option, so it’s something the design department should consider during the planning phase.

Fabric Printing – how to choose the right method?

Ultimately, it all depends on your preferences and expectations when it comes to printing on knits and fabrics. While it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the available fabric printing options before placing an order, the best approach is to rely on expert knowledge. That’s why it’s worth choosing a store that can advise customers on their orders and recommend the most suitable solution. A great option is also to work with a fabric printing company that specializes in applying designs to items such as clothing.