Pad printing on apparel has become a preferred choice for many textile and T-shirt screen printing companies.
Among the benefits of pad printing are the ink’s ability to dry instantly without the need for heat. The quick drying of the garment printer ink reduces production time, resulting in shorter lead times. This process not only benefits companies that have adopted pad printing for labeling care instructions on textiles, but it is also a sustainable practice.
There are several methods to label care instructions on t-shirts and apparel: sewn-in labels, heat transfer labels, screen printing, and pad printing. Sewn-in and heat transfer labels require significant time and resources compared to tagless printing. As a result, these two labeling methods are detrimental to the environment. Alternative methods to heat transfer and sewn-in labels include screen and pad printing techniques.
Pad printing is the best way to transition from resource-consuming methods like sewn-in or heat transfer labels. The pad printing uses ink, a pad printing plate, a cup, and a silicone pad to directly print on the fabric. Learn more about the pad printing supplies for tagless printing.
In the realm of sportswear, polyester and polyblends are the dominant materials. These lightweight, high-performance fabrics effectively wick away sweat and dry quickly—keeping athletes cool and comfortable. However, branding and printing care label instructions on thin poly materials can be challenging due to their sensitivity to heat.
Polyester’s thin, absorbent nature also makes this material unsuitable for sewn-in labels. Therefore, tagless branding using screen printing is a more suitable option. To print on these materials, we recommend using the SilTex HD silicone inks. Unlike solvent inks, the SilTex HD inks for screen printing do not bleed through the fabric. To achieve successful printing with SilTex HD inks, use the Volta S150 screen-printing machine to deliver bold, vibrant colors and bright white prints on dark fabrics that truly stand out.
Undergarments, like other apparel, also require care instruction labels. Durable and soft-feeling printing inks are perfect for this apparel application. SilTex silicone inks and ST inks for garment pad printing deliver stunning and durable prints. Silicone screen printing inks are light in nature and have a soft feel. In addition, they never crack or fade and last a lifetime. Additionally, SilTex HD inks are PVC-free and skin-contact-safe. The ST Series ink for tag printing on textiles is excellent for undergarment printing. This ink dries quickly and emits a pleasant fragrance, making it ideal for use in any industrial pad printing environment. Additionally, it is non-toxic and uses fade-resistant pigments.
Learn more about the ST Series ink for rubber.
There are numerous applications for non-slip socks (also known as grip socks or anti-slip socks). During the winter months and in hospitals, many individuals prefer wearing comfortable, nonslip, and nonskid socks. These socks are ideal not only for hospital settings but also for both children and adults. For this purpose, we offer the SilTex AS series of anti-slip silicone ink specifically designed for socks. This anti-slip silicone printing ink features high friction (grip), a soft hand feel, and is easy to apply, whether manually or with automatic machines. Learn more about our anti-slip ink for socks.
