ImagesMagUK_April_2021

www.images-magazine.com APRIL 2021 images 03 ADVERTORIAL Just Ts Print Guides From bold screen prints on Cotton 100 to intricate embroidered designs on Tri-Blend, the new Just Ts by AWDis Print Guides detail the decoration processes that work with each of the brand’s fabrics, and are packed with practical tips to help you create the perfect tees J ust Ts by AWDis produces high quality, adaptable T-shirts in a wide range of fabrics that provide the perfect canvas for expression and creativity. The Just Ts collection is made to be decorated and the brand has compiled a set of new Print Guides to help you master the embellishment potential of every style. Here, Just Ts shares some top tips from its new guides for achieving the best results on its Cotton 100 and Tri-Blend fabrics... Cotton 100 fabric Just Ts uses 100% combed ringspun cotton, 140gsm, for our The 100 T. This has a super-soft hand and is suitable for most decoration techniques. Screen printing The smooth surface of the Just Ts cotton fabric is perfect for bold, smooth screen prints. When printing with plastisol ink make sure you use an anti-migration layer on brighter colours to avoid colour migration from the fabric dye to the print, and to avoid prints cracking be sure to cure at the correct temperature and time – always thoroughly test the print and cure. Water-based inks are an eco-friendly alternative to plastisol and give a soft print that will sit well on the lighter Cotton 100 colours while maintaining a soft and flexible hand-feel. Use an under-base for prints on darker colours and, as water-based inks can dry out quickly, work accurately and promptly. The Cotton 100’s natural fibres are ideal for discharge screen inks, which create detailed, long-lasting prints while maintaining the drape and soft hand- feel of the fabric. But azure blue, fire red, jade, and burgundy colours are best avoided as these colours do not discharge cleanly. Screen printing Polyester and viscose are more sensitive to high temperatures than cotton. To avoid dye-migration and scorching when printing with plastisol inks, use poly blockers and print wet- on-wet rather than risking the extra heat when flash-curing base layers. Polyester repels water so water-based inks can be trickier to print on tri-blend: test prints and wash testing are essential. Take extra care when discharge printing on Just Ts Tri-Blends. While discharge can work on our Tri-Blend styles, due to the mixture of yarns, the overall result can be unpredictable and inconsistent. Discharge works only on natural fibres and so it will result in a faded vintage effect on Tri-Blend tees. Avoid reds, bottle greens and royal blue, as these colours don’t discharge cleanly and evenly. DTG While direct-to-garment printing works best on 100% cotton, you can get good results on Just Ts’ Tri-blend styles. Ensure pretreatment ratios are correct to achieve bold and long-lasting prints. To help the ink bond with the polyester fibres, use a light pretreatment even on lighter fabric colours. When printing on dark colours ensure your white pre-print layer is flash-cured to avoid smudging. Tri-Blend will give DTG prints a vintage look and can fade after washing. Always ensure you do extensive wash testing before printing your production run. Embroidery Just Ts’ Tri-Blend embroiders just as well as our Cotton 100 fabric. Once again, be sure to use a suitable stabiliser on the inside of the garment, behind your embroidery, and make sure your needle is smooth and sharp to avoid any snagging. Just as with Cotton 100 styles, make sure you consider artwork size carefully and match it to the fabric, as a large, embroidered area could affect the drape of these medium-weight styles. Download the Just Ts Print Guides from www.justtsbyawdis.com/ resources or request your copies from your local AWDis Brand Ambassador: info@awdisbrands.com. DTG Direct-to-garment printing works best on 100% cotton, and produces highly detailed, long-lasting prints on Cotton 100 fabric. Ensure pretreatment ratios are correct to achieve bold and long-lasting prints. When printing on darks make sure your white pre-print layer is flash-cured to avoid smudges. Transfer printing The soft and smooth surface of the Cotton 100 fabric ensures smooth transfer prints. However, by its nature cotton absorbs moisture in the atmosphere. Pre-press the print area to remove moisture to avoid your print cracking after a wash or two. And then make your design pop by experimenting with full-colour, glitter, flock, foil and rhinestones for a unique look. Embroidery Cotton 100 styles look amazing with embroidery, whether you’re stitching out text or artwork. For the best results use a stabiliser on the inside of the garment, behind your embroidery, and make sure your needle is smooth and sharp to avoid snagging. Consider the relationship of fabric and artwork size – a large, embroidered area may affect the drape of these styles. Tri-Blend fabric Just Ts’ Tri-Blend styles are made from 50% polyester/25% viscose/25% cotton – the perfect blend of materials for comfort and style and a great decoration canvas. The combination of yarns offers unique printing finishes – try experimenting with neon and fluorescent inks and transfers on our Electric Tri-Blend styles for maximum standout and visual appeal. Heather black Tri-Blends can vary and print processes may require adjustment; please check fabrication and test print before your production run. FIRST LOOK