847-801-5200 Mon - Fri 09:00 - 5:00 10507 Delta Parkway, Schiller Park IL 60176 info@excelscreenprinting.com
Spot color printing is the most common screen printing process.
Excel is capable of printing up to 12 spot colors on White or Light color garments and up to 10 colors on any colored garment where a white underbase is required. Although we have limitations on the number of spot colors that can be utilized, by use of halftones and printing techniques, we can reproduce gradients, fade-outs, over-prints and much more.
Spot color printing is best utilized when graphic elements are part of the artwork. Corporate logos are a good example. Delimited by graphic objects that have their own colors, each one is printed using a different screen. Halftones and the base color can be utilized in combination to obtain different shades of the same color or a totally different color that is determined by the combination of two or more inks.
All inks used at Excel are mixed in house by use of software generated formulas which helps us create near perfect matching PANTONE © PMS colors. It is important to understand the true fact that matching PMS colors 100% is not always possible, specially on dark garments as the use of white underbase is necessary. Once a white underbase has been applied, certain colors tend to vary and result in a lighter version. With experience, we have been able to accommodate our process for those variants to be as minimal as possible.
Normally known as Four Colour Process, CMYK Printing in the garment industry has been replaced by a technique that generates more vibrant prints and a bigger color spectrum. The CMYK colour model does not produce vibrant prints as inks are transparent. So, in order to obtain vibrant photo-realistic prints, our industry started focusing more on the simulated process model where 5-10 ink colors are used to obtain a wider color gamut.
By combining standard plastisol inks, halftones, and a variety of color separation techniques, it is possible to obtain really sharp looking screen printed pieces. One of the most important components of a good simulated process job starts with a good piece of artwork and a good set of color separations.
We at Excel have been using simulated process printing with great results. Our experienced art team has a great vision for color separations that result in great looking prints.
Need help determining if your job should be done as full color or as spot color?Visiting our help zone could be of help.
Tone-on-Tone is a technique that is easily achievable by printing with an un-dyed ink. This ink basically has no color pigment at all. This works best on garment colors that are not as dark. It will print on a tone darker than the color of the shirt and it has an extremely soft hand.
Metallic ink is a specialty ink that has reflective metal particles such as copper, bronze, zinc or aluminum in it. When the ink dries, the particles reflect the light and create a shine. Most common are Silver and Gold Metallic. We do offer a few other tones.
High Density (or HD Printing) is done via a combination of two processes. A thick capillary film is used in place of regular emulsion and a specially formulated ink is used to print. By combining these two methods, we can obtain a thick ink deposit with a smooth rubbery feel to it when cured.
Distressed prints are done via regular screen printing method. A special distressed filter is laid on top of the final artwork to simulate a distressed/old print. This process is done on pre-press stage.
You can provide artwork already distressed or we can take your solid art and apply a distressed pattern.
Normally a retail soft print works good when combined with a distressed print.
By use of higher mesh/less ink, we can obtain extremely soft prints. One important part of this process that needs to be accounted for is the color of the shirt and the type of art being used. A good combination of both is crucial for a great looking garment.
A garment decorated with foil follows the same steps of a traditional screen printed garment. The main difference is that an adhesive glue ink is used in place of standard plastisol ink. Once that step is taken and ink is semi cured, garments get moved to a heat press station where a foil is heat pressed on top of the ink and peeled off to reveal the final print.
Suede / Velvet is a special effect plastisol ink designed to have a suede appearance or a fuzzy feel. Depending on your needs, we can achieve different “levels” of dimensional effect by use of lower or higher mesh counts. The more ink, the more fuzzy the feel.
Tone-on-Tone is a technique that is easily achievable by printing with an un-dyed ink. This ink basically has no color pigment at all. This works best on garment colors that are not as dark. It will print on a tone darker than the color of the shirt and it has an extremely soft hand.