Here at AMTY we have many different types of branding. Backed by the country's leading trade-only vendors we can assure you your order will be on time and what you had in mind. Below are some details on the different types of branding you can request. Not all products are suitable to all different types of branding and it's best to contact us if you have any questions. We have spent countless hours seeking the best branding houses in the business, so you don't have to. Working with AMTY will give you access to the branding expertise that these branding houses bring to the table.
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
Heat Transfer Vinyl is our main focus at AMTY. We found this to be a great mix of affordability and durability. We cut your design out of a thin layer of Heat Transfer Vinyl which is then adhered to your garment with a heat press. The heat press melts a thin layer of glue on the vinyl and it's then stuck onto the garment. We use this for most of our T-Shirt and Hoodie orders. Some of our customers have been buying from us since we opened in 2016. There are some drawbacks to this type of branding though. The process is very time consuming and is not ideal for large orders. Other types of branding like screen printing get cheaper as volumes increase whereas Heat Transfer Vinyl costs remain the same.
Screen Printing
Screen printing, also known as silk screen printing, is a printing method where a mesh stencil is used to print/transfer ink onto a substrate, typically apparel and materials that are a bit softer. A mesh stencil is produced for each color that is required, which is then lined up on the item, and the mixed ink is pushed through the stencil in the areas of the semi-permeable mesh, color by color. The stencils must be lined up exactly to achieve the best result.
A blade or squeegee is used to push the ink through the mesh, typically with two strokes, the first to fill the mesh and the second to push it through onto the apparel or material.
Screen printing allows larger prints on items than other print methods such as pad printing. It also allows the colors to be color matched to whichever color code or Pantone that is required.
Screen printing is a manual printing method, and so much attention to detail must be shown when printing using this method. It is best for people with experience in this method.
We use screen printing usually for logo printing where the logo is up to 4 colors, and usually in block colors, not with gradients. Gradient colors cannot be printed using a screen print.
This method also uses inks that are designed for textiles, so they are very durable inks that typically do not fade, scratch or peel off easily, so will last a long time.
Pad Printing
Pad printing is a form of printing that uses a machine and a silicone ‘pad’, which is dipped in ink and then pressed down hard onto an object to transfer the ink. This method can be used to print onto a 2D or a 3D object. A different silicone pad is used for each color.
This process typically is used to print on objects that are difficult to print on. This is because the machine holds the object and the silicone pad is soft and so can mold around different shaped surfaces, and also fill any holes or concave areas.
Extremely good details is able to be achieved using this printing method.
Inks can be color matched and depending on the inks used, can be very durable and long-lasting.
It is an affordable scalable printing process, more so at larger quantities.
Some difficulties do exist with this method of printing, meaning it is better for some situations than others. It is best for items such as water bottles, pens, golf balls etc, rather than flat surfaces.
Sublimation Printing
Sublimation printing, also known as dye-sublimation, is a print process that can print high quality images onto objects. This process is achieved by printing the image or design onto a special sublimation transfer paper. Once the image is on the paper, it is positioned on the object, and then pressed using heat onto the object.
Benefits of this process are that it can be used for complex designs and images in full color, and that these can be applied to many different materials as well as different shaped objects. It is also great for smaller quantities, where it would otherwise be more expensive to produce print films and use screen printing.
The disadvantages of this process is that it is quite expensive relative to many other print methods at higher quantities, such as UV or silk printing. However the results can be worth the cost. It aso cannot be used on materials that are subject to being damaged by the high temperatures used for this sublimation process.
At AMTY we use sublimation printing mostly for mugs. These mugs are great for a practical promotional gift.
We also use sublimation printing for some other items like gifts, t-shirts, pillow cases etc. It allows great detail and colors, and an amazing finish.
Embroidery
Embroidery is decorating of fabric with needle and thread. Today, embroidery is most frequently seen on caps, hats, coats, blankets, dress shirts, denim, stockings, and golf shirts. Embroidery is a must for items with regular use and washing as it's extremely durable.
Embroidery is stitched with a computerized embroidery machine using patterns digitised with embroidery software. In machine embroidery, differing types of “fills” add texture and style to the finished work. Machine embroidery is employed to feature logos and monograms to business shirts or jackets, gifts, and team apparel.
Embossing and Debossing (and foil)
Embossing and debossing (the opposite of embossing) is not technically a print, however usually comes up when talking about printing or branding merchandise such as our cases, covers and sleeves.
Embossing and debossing is the process of using a machine with a molded metal plate, to press a logo or an image into a substrate such as a leather, PU leather, or other material such as paper. The result of the emboss is that the image is indented into the material, and with debossing, it rises out of the object.
Embossing is a great way to brand an object without taking away from the look and feel of the object. It brands the object in a much more subtle way, which some brands like.
Embossing is also sometimes called a blind emboss, however this specifically refers to when the emboss has no color, and this is what our customers request the most for the cases, covers and sleeves that we emboss.
Another less commonly known method of embossing is a foil emboss. This is where a foil, usually silver or gold, is stamped into an emboss. It creates an effect of a gold or silver (and sometimes other colors) in an emboss, which can look great.
The negative of embossing is really only that sometimes the emboss does not stand out much, but this is subjective because this is the aim for most companies. It also cannot be used for harder or thicker objects such as hard or gel phone cases.
Co2 Laser Cutting
In a Co2 laser cutter, light is produced when electricity runs through a gas-filled tube with mirrors at both ends. One mirror is fully reflective while the opposite one lets some light come through. These mirrors guide the beam into the fabric that's to be cut. The gas is usually a mix of CO2 , nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium.
Any light produced by Co2 lasers is extremely powerful compared to normal light. this is often due to the mirrors that bookend the tube of gases. These mirrors reflect most of the sunshine traveling through the tube and cause the sunshine waves to create in intensity. the sunshine only passes through the partially reflective mirror when it becomes bright enough.
Since the sunshine from a laser is infrared, it's invisible to the human eye. It also features a very long wavelength. It can cut a spread of materials, including cloth, wood, metal, glass, and paper. the extreme heat from this light vaporizes the fabric that's getting to be cut, leaving an accurate, smooth finish.
Direct To Product Printing
Direct to Product Printing allows for the application of full-colour logos directly onto the merchandise . By using specifically engineered jigs, a specialised digital printing head transfers UV-cured ink onto flat or slightly curved surfaces with photo-print quality and bold, vivid colours.
Digital Transfer Printing
Sometimes you need a cost effective, high-detail photo image on your t-shirt or hoodie. This is often when Digital Transfer Printing stands out from the crowd. Digital Transfer printing is great for capturing highly detailed or photographic images, so it's the right solution if you're eager to print images of your loved ones for memorial t-shirts, or other sorts of celebrations (21st birthday, Stag or Hens t-shirts etc.).
For other items (such as Bags, Signage, Caps etc.) that don’t got to be washed, this process is that the best choice . Digital Transfers are often printed with bright, vibrant colours, and may be pressed onto these odd shaped items to form custom branding a breeze.
With Digital Transfers, the image is printed onto a top quality vinyl sheet, which is then machine cut and heat pressed onto the garment. because the image is printed onto vinyl, the color will fade after variety of washes. This is a great printing method for many reason, but it'll not be as long lasting as screen printing or embroidery.
Domed Stickers
Domed Stickers are digitally printed on an adhesive vinyl in full-colour then cut to the specified shape and size. The stickers are coated with a polyurethane resin to offer a three-dimensional appearance. This is great for hard to brand logos with many colours or for items where other brand methods are not possible. Some bottles and other gift items have special sections designed for these dome stickers to give your product a perfect professional finish.
So which type of branding is the best for your order?
Here at AMTY we will assist with getting your order on the right track. We assist with sourcing the products, getting your design print-ready and ensuring that your order is done in time.
Please contact us today with the below details:
- The quantity required
- The logo or design and its complexity and colors
- Which product you need
- Project deadline
For each project we advise our customers on the options available to print (or emboss) their items, and which would be best solution for their specific needs.