Printing is a huge industry, and while some people may think of it as a dated technology, there are still countless applications across the board. Whether you’re alerting your neighbors to a garage sale, sending out invitations to an event, or delivering important documents to clients, you most likely need some sort of printing process in place.
Digital printing is a relatively modern, affordable, and efficient print method that utilizes a computerized machine to create printed materials. This is unlike more traditional methods such as letterpress or engraving, which require custom plates and hand-inking or stamping.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of digital printing and get a better understanding of the technical details involved in creating high-quality, professional results.
We’ll start by discussing the different printing processes and defining some of the key terms. Then, we’ll move onto exploring some of the specific advantages that digital printing has over other printing methods. We’ll also touch on some of the unique embellishment options available with digital printing, such as spot colors and variable data.
The CMYK color model is a subtractive process, meaning it subtracts the colors from the original image to produce the final printed piece. This differs from RGB, which adds the colors together to create the image and does not belong in the print world – all images should be converted to CMYK before sending them off to a printing company (for example, if you’re using photographs, they should all be saved in the CMYK color space).
There are a wide variety of printing papers suited for digital prints – some more appropriate than others. Choosing the right paper for your project can be as important as selecting the right inks and printer settings. Using a paper that is geared for digital printing will ensure the best possible results, and will help your design stand out.
Screen printing is a versatile print technique that is used in everything from clothing to posters and circuit boards. The process involves creating a design that is either hand-drawn or digitally created on a computer, which is then transferred to a mesh screen that’s tightly stretched over a frame. The mesh screen is then coated with a light-sensitive emulsion and exposed to a UV light. The light-sensitive emulsion creates a stencil for the ink to pass through, leaving the desired printed design behind.
In this course, Jennifer will guide you through the basics of digital inkjet fabric printing and how to use it for your creative projects. She will explore the different fabric options and ink types, as well as how to obtain samples or color guides for precise color matching. She’ll also provide guidance on scanning photos for printing on fabric and will cover optimal resolution settings for different print sizes. In the end, you’ll have all the tools you need to be a successful inkjet fabric designer.