VINYL
No minimum required!
VINYL
Direct to film printing is a process used in garment decoration, where the design is printed directly onto a special film and then transferred onto the fabric.
- They are full color transfer and you can print them on any color garment.
- This flexible printing method can be applied to polyester, cotton, fleece, nylon and many more.
- Quick turnaround times
What is vinyl?
Vinyl, specifically Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV), is a specialized vinyl polymer used on certain fabrics and materials for designing and creating promotional products. It comes in rolls or sheets with an adhesive backing, allowing cutting, weeding, and application through heat. HTV is best for simple designs with minimal colors, as each color or pattern requires separate cutting, weeding, and heat pressing. Layering is possible for multi-colored designs, but alignment becomes more challenging with more layers. HTV is not suitable for full-color pictures or gradients.
A brief history of YINYL
The Beginning:
- In the 17th century, French engraver Simon Francois Ravenet immigrated to England, revitalizing the engraving process and inventing the vinyl decal technique.
- By engraving at the correct depth on heated copper plates with handmade tissue paper and the right pressure, Ravenet produced vinyl decals.
- Some of Ravenet’s work is displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio.
Vinyl Plotter Machines:
- Until the 1980s, vinyl decals and signs were hand-painted or handmade.
- The invention of vinyl plotter machines in the 1980s simplified the production of vinyl decals by cutting graphics from adhesive-backed vinyl sheets.
Personal Computing:
- In the 1990s, the rise of personal computing led to more affordable vinyl plotter machines.
- Small sign companies could now compete with larger businesses, producing vinyl graphic signs more efficiently.
- Hybrid plotters in the late 1990s allowed customers to choose from a full range of colors.
- Today, sign companies use cut vinyl and digital printing techniques, making signs more affordable for customers.