Get A Grip Studio

  Preparing graphics for DTG and DTF: While digital printing methods can handle photographic elements and gradients with ease, what most struggle with are semi-transparent pixels. Images are converted ready to print by a RIP (Raster Image Processor) and these look at, and convert the pixel information in a raster graphic or convert vector graphics, into raster images. A pixel with a 1% opacity is still a pixel with information and as such, some RIPs and print software will pick that information up as intentional. If it is on a coloured garment that requires a white base then these pixels, whether intentional or not can be printed in white before being printed in that 1% of whatever colour that pixel was.  This can result in ‘random’ spots in your image and more commonly, a light/white glow around your image. Ideally your images should have hard edges with 100% opaque coloured pixels. This isn’t always possible so the best way to check is to use a tool like Photoshop’s magic wa...

  Designing for Screen Printing With screen printing, how good your prints turn out will be determined by how good your artwork is in combination with the knowledge and skill of the artwork separator but also the methods and equipment used by the print studio. Your prints can be affected in so many ways, what inks are used, how taught the screens are, the mesh count of the screens, whether the screens were exposed using film or a CTS, how sharp the squeegees are, whether they are hand printed or semi auto printed, the offset used, the choice and accuracy of colours mixed. What is most in your control is the artwork you supply and how well you communicate your ideas and expectations. Don’t assume a printer will know your preferences and opinions of what is a nice print, leaving it up to the printer and saying ‘you're the expert, I trust your judgment’ may sound like you are being an easy going customer but actually, what we as printers would like is specifics. Send a spec but be rea...