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Techniques and materials

What each technique is, which materials it suits and which it does not, how it feels and how long it lasts.

General guide. We confirm the final details of each job with you when you ask for a quote.

Sublimation

Heat turns the ink into gas and locks it into the fibre or coating, with no layer on top.

Ideal for: Polyester or dry-fit shirts and polos, mugs, sublimation-ready tumblers, coasters, neoprene can sleeves and mousepads.
Works on: Polyester and dry fit
Light-coloured fabrics
Mugs and tumblers with a sublimation coating
Neoprene can sleeves and coasters
Not for: 100% cotton
Dark fabrics
Surfaces without a special coating
How it feels: You cannot feel it: the ink sits inside and the surface stays smooth.
Durability: Very good. It does not peel or crack, and it handles washing and use with proper care.
Fine detail: Excellent: photos, gradients and fine lines come out in full colour.

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Real example

Neoprene coaster with a logo

DTF

Direct to Film: the design is printed in full colour on a film, coated with adhesive and heat-pressed onto the garment.

Ideal for: T-shirts, polos, aprons, bags and caps (when the shape allows it).
Works on: Cotton, polyester and blends
Dark and light fabrics
Gradients and fine detail
Not for: Hard surfaces such as mugs or tumblers
Fabrics that cannot take heat
How it feels: It leaves a very thin layer you can feel slightly.
Durability: Good. It holds up to washing with proper care.
Fine detail: Very good: it handles gradients and small lettering.

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Real example

Black T-shirt with a full-colour design

UV DTF

High-resistance decals printed with UV ink that stick on cold onto hard surfaces.

Ideal for: Tumblers and cups, glass, metal, acrylic, wood and ceramic.
Works on: Steel tumblers and cups
Glass, metal and ceramic
Acrylic and wood
Not for: Fabric
Soft surfaces that flex a lot
How it feels: A subtle relief you can feel when you run a finger over it.
Durability: High. It resists water and rubbing; it lasts best when hand-washed.
Fine detail: Very good: colour and detail with no heat needed.

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Real example

Tumbler with a name in relief

Heat-transfer vinyl

The design is cut from sheets of coloured vinyl and applied to the fabric with heat.

Ideal for: Uniforms, names, numbers, teams and simple logos.
Works on: Cotton, polyester and blends
Dark and light fabrics
Lettering, numbers and flat shapes
Not for: Photos and gradients
Hard surfaces
How it feels: It feels like a smooth, thin layer on top of the fabric.
Durability: Very high: one of the toughest options for wear and washing.
Fine detail: Medium: great for lettering and simple shapes; very small details get simplified.
Heat-transfer vinyl: Finishes: matte, gloss, glitter, metallic and reflective.

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Real example

T-shirt with a white QR code

Cut vinyl

Lettering and shapes cut from coloured adhesive vinyl and stuck onto a surface.

Ideal for: Glass, doors, walls, vehicles, signage and die-cut stickers.
Works on: Glass and mirrors
Smooth walls and doors
Metal, plastic and vehicles
Smooth tumblers and cups
Not for: Fabric (use heat-transfer vinyl for that)
Photos and gradients
How it feels: A thin, smooth layer stuck to the surface.
Durability: High, outdoors too depending on the type of vinyl.
Fine detail: Medium: clear shapes and lettering; tiny details get simplified.

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Embroidery

A machine stitches the design in thread straight onto the garment.

Ideal for: Caps, polos, uniforms and jackets.
Works on: Fabrics with some body: polos, caps, jackets
Dark and light fabrics
Logos and names
Not for: Very thin or very stretchy fabrics
Photos and gradients
How it feels: Textured and raised: you see it and you feel it.
Durability: The highest: thread stands up to washing and heavy use.
Fine detail: Limited: very fine details and gradients get simplified.

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Laser engraving

A laser marks or cuts the material with precision; the engraving is permanent.

Ideal for: Names, keychains, plaques and gifts.
Works on: Wood and acrylic
Leather and faux leather
Glass
Some metals and steel tumblers (depending on the coating)
Not for: Fabric
Full-colour designs: it comes out in one tone depending on the material
How it feels: Marked into the surface itself, smooth or slightly textured depending on the material.
Durability: Permanent: it does not peel or wear off like a layer.
Fine detail: Very good for lines, lettering and silhouettes.

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Graphic printing

Full-colour printing on paper, card stock or self-adhesive vinyl.

Ideal for: Printed ads, flyers, business cards, invitations and stickers.
Works on: Paper and card stock
Self-adhesive vinyl for stickers
Not for: Fabric
Hard objects (use UV DTF or sublimation for that)
How it feels: Smooth paper or vinyl surface.
Durability: It depends on the material: a flyer is for the moment; a vinyl sticker holds up longer.
Fine detail: Excellent: photos and gradients.

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Real example

Full-colour printed sign

Light-up signs

Custom signs with LED light for businesses and decoration.

Ideal for: Businesses, events and decor with your name, logo or phrase.
Works on: Names, logos and phrases
Light-up signs: Sizes, light colours and installation are confirmed when you ask for a quote.

Real example

Round light-up sign

Fabrics

The fabric decides which technique fits.

100% cotton

DTF
Heat-transfer vinyl
Embroidery

Not sublimation: the ink does not bond with cotton.

Polyester & dry fit

Sublimation
DTF
Heat-transfer vinyl
Embroidery

The best fabric for sublimation, with the most vivid colour.

Blends

DTF
Heat-transfer vinyl
Embroidery

Sublimation depends on how much polyester it has; DTF and vinyl always work.

Light colours

Sublimation
DTF
Heat-transfer vinyl
Embroidery

Every fabric technique looks good.

Dark colours

DTF
Heat-transfer vinyl
Embroidery

Not sublimation: the ink does not show on a dark background.

Hard surfaces

Every hard material calls for its own technique.

Ceramic

Sublimation
UV DTF
Cut vinyl

Sublimation mugs carry a special coating.

Tumbler steel

Sublimation
UV DTF
Cut vinyl
Laser engraving

Sublimation and laser depend on the tumbler coating.

Glass

UV DTF
Cut vinyl
Laser engraving

Ideal for lettering, logos and signage.

Wood & acrylic

UV DTF
Cut vinyl
Laser engraving

Laser engraves or cuts; UV DTF adds colour.

Neoprene

Sublimation

The material of can sleeves and coasters.

Comparator

Pick two techniques and see them side by side.

Technique ATechnique B

Indicative gauges; each job is confirmed when you ask for a quote.

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