Glossary
Burn:
To expose an emulsion-coated screen to a light source to create a stencil.
Colour Change:
The take down, cleaning and set up of a screen in order to change the ink colour. An example would be white ink being printed on black garments needing to be changed to black ink for printing on white garments.
Cure:
The process of using heat to completely fuse (cure) ink to a garment.
This is usually a one time fee that costs between $20 -$40.
Digitizing:
Using a computer to manually turn an image into an embroidery file.
This is usually a one time fee that costs between $20 -$40.
Discharge Ink:
Works by removing the dye in the garment and creates a very soft-hand print. Discharge Base can be tinted with color pigments, but exact colors can be difficult to control.
Our embroidery machine handles 6 items at once.
Embroidery:
The process of creating decorative designs with thread using a machine.
Our embroidery machine handles 6 items at once.
Embroidery Set up:
The process by which each design/job/garment is attached to the embroidery machine.
Similar to a 'negative' in film photography.
Film Positive:
A film image used to burn a design onto a screen for printing.
Similar to a 'negative' in film photography.
Film Positive Crest Size:
A print size normally placed on the left chest.
Film Positive Full Size:
A print size covering a large portion on the front or back of a garment.
Film Positive Oversize:
Any print size that is larger than our standard film size.
Foil:
A print process consisting of a plastisol glue or ink printed onto the fabric and then foil material is applied (with a heat press) to create a metallic mirror effect.
Half tone:
A reproduction of a photograph or other image in which the various tones of gray or color are produced by variously sized dots of ink.
Heat Transfer:
Heat press printing techniques work with images that are preprinted on a single sheet and then transferred by heat press onto a garment. We may use this process if the garment requires it.
Manual Press:
A multi arm press used in screen printing to print multiple items, one colour at a time.
Mask:
A coating of white ink printed first and flashed to act as a base for which all other colors are to be printed on. Underbasing is usually required when printing multi-color designs on dark coloured garments.
Mesh:
Woven material that is stretched on the screen frame, coated with emulsion and used to create a screen stencil.
Mesh Count:
The number of threads in one square inch of screen fabric, measured in both directions. The lower the number, the thicker the mesh and the larger the screen opening. The higher the number, the finer the thread and the smaller the screen opening.
Plastisol Ink:
Plastisol ink is the most widely used ink in apparel screen printing. It is made up of PVC particles suspended in a liquid plasticizer. It is very durable, flexible, and easy to use in the screen printing process.
Puff Embroidery:
Also called 3D embroidery, is an effect achieved by placing a piece of foam on a garment as it is being embroidered.
Screen:
A metal or wooden frame with mesh stretched tightly across.
Screen Printed:
The technique of creating a picture or pattern by forcing ink on to a surface through a screen of fine mesh.
Set up:
The process of assembling artwork onto screens pre-press, lining artwork up on press, mixing ink colours, and producing test prints BEFORE going into production.
Squeegee:
An aluminium handled tool with a urethane blade used to drive ink through a screen by pulling or pushing the squeegee across the screen.