Vector graphics are made from mathematical equations. Lines, points and curves are used to produce an image. There are no pixels, instead there are areas of specific color.
Because of this, a vector file can be resized without any pixelation.
Adobe Illustrator is a great program to create vector graphics.
You can turn text into vectors by selecting all : type : create oultines.
All images for screen printing are changed into a vector format to print on our press.
Vectors create whole open areas where color can be used. Like a stencil. This is exactly what we need to create open areas in screens to push ink colors through.
Raster graphics are made up of thousands of tiny pixels. Each pixel can be a different color. The more pixels, the more detailed and realistic an image will be.
When raster images are printed, a dot matrix is used and images are divided into 4 colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK).
These semi-transparent ink colors are printed using fine dots that overlap to create a full-color spectrum.
Things like cereal boxes and magazines are printed this way.
Inkjet printers simulate this 4-color process.
When raster images are enlarged, the line quality can become "pixelated". This happens because the image is made up of pixels, and when enlarged, each pixel gets larger.
If the image you are sending is a raster-based image, it will be very helpful to send the font files used in the design.
This is because the text will become pixelated when enlarged to print.
If we have the font files, we can reset the text.
It works much better if the image you are sending is a vector-based image.
You can turn the fonts into outlines. This means the text becomes actual artwork, and can no longer be edited with a text editor. It also means we do not need the font file to use the artwork!
In Adobe Illustrator, after your design is complete:
Select All :: Type (top menu bar) :: Create Outlines :: Save As: .ai, .eps, .svg, or .pdf file.
We often receive artwork with placed or embedded raster files within them.
All images will need to be changed into a vector format so we can create screens to print with.
In Adobe Illustrator, you can tell when an image is placed or if it's vector by selecting the image.
If there is one box around the image, that is a raster-based image and will need to be vectorized.
If there are many points, lines, and curves over the image, that is a vector-based image. That is the perfect design file for what we need to print!
In most printing applications, ink colors are chosen and printing parameters are set within the design file itself. That information is fed to the machine that does the printing.
Our process is very different.
We create a screen for each color being printed, and then mix individual colors to use in those screens.
Ink colors are mixed using the Pantone Matching System or PMS.
Ink brands carry base ink colors and have special formulas for each Pantone Solid Coated Color.
We follow the formula like a recipe and mix unique colors as necessary.
If you'd like a special ink color, there is a small fee to cover the time to make and mix those colors.
Use the button below to see our base ink color options - no mixing fees necessary to use any of these colors.
Inks are somewhat transparent. When they print on white shirts, the colors pop with no problem.
However when printing on dark shirts, ink colors can become mottled and not quite as bright.
Because of this we use an Under-Base layer of white ink under most colors.
This adds an additional screen and print color to your order.
By adding the additional white layer, the other ink colors will remain bright and opaque.
We add the
