Printwear & Promotion The Total Promotional Package
In this article, Natalie Greetham, Madeira UK’s marketing manager, explores the merger of sublimation printing and embroidery and the processes involved in creating beautiful pieces of artwork.
Combining sublimation printing with embroidery is a technique developed by garment decorators to overcome the issue of printing onto non-synthetic clothing.
The process involves artwork being digitally printed onto transfer paper and then heat pressed onto a garment. The heat converts the ink into a gaseous state which is then absorbed by the fabric. Because the ink is infused into the fibres of the fabric, as opposed to sitting on the surface, the colours remain vibrant and will not crack or fade when washed. However, this printing method has its limitations as it is only suitable for white or light-coloured polyester garments.
Consumers today are more eco-conscious than ever before seeking sustainable natural fabrics and raising the question of how these items can be printed. Garment decorators are also aware that embroidery has its limitations particularly when it comes to creating a graduated effect from one colour to another. One solution for cotton fabrics is to create an embroidered base using white polyester thread which will allow the printed design to bind to the stitched area, this technique also helps colours stay bright on dark clothing.
Great examples
The brick wall example demonstrates how printing and embroidery techniques can be combined within one design. Firstly, a solid background the exact measurement of the area to be printed was embroidered using white Frosted Matt, Madeira’s polyester matt finish thread. The printed design was then heat pressed with only the stitched area absorbing the dye and creating the splashed colour effect not achievable through stitching alone. The raised lettering on top of the printed area was then produced using 3D foam embroidered with black and fluorescent Frosted Matt thread. Always remember, digitising must be adjusted to ensure full coverage of the foam.
Other examples produced using the same method include the psychedelic butterfly and the photorealistic orange. The background was embroidered by Stocks Embroidery & Sewing Solutions using Madeira’s white polyester thread then printed by TheMagicTouch using its DyeSub Magic sublimation process. Because these designs have been created on black cotton garments the print exceeding the outlines of the embroidered areas did not adhere to the fabric. These are excellent examples of how full colour graduated designs can easily be achieved while maintaining a high-quality embroidered look.
When embroidery combines with sublimation printing anything’s possible!
