Silk Screening

Silk screening is an imprint method where a logo is transferred to a printed surface (i.e., clothing, bags, etc) by ink squeegeed through a stenciled "screen".

Typically you start with a square wooden frame about the size of a T-shirt. Over this frame you tightly stretch a piece of sheer fabric (originally silk, now polyester). This is the "screen". Over this sheer fabric you put a thin sheet of plastic into which you have cut holes where you want ink to appear on the T-shirt. You can either cut the holes with a scalpel (an arduous task), or you can use a liquid plastic coating that's sensitive to ultraviolet light and "cut" the holes with light.
 

Next, you place your T-shirt on a flat board and press the screen onto the fabric. Now coat the screen with thick ink and, using a squeegee, you cause the ink to flow through the screen onto the T-shirt. For multi-color designs, you do this multiple times, starting with the lightest color and moving up to the darkest.
 

Silk screening is typically more economical than higher-value decorating methods like embroidery.

Common items for silk screening: T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Bags

Embroidery

Embroidery is the process of stitching a logo onto a garment. This is done via sophisticated computerized equipment which embroiders each logo according to a "digitized" embroidery pattern (similar to a recipe for a cook).

Designs are digitized to establish a stich count and pattern. Although computers simplify the process, not all decision-making is up to the computer. A skilled digitizer needs time for experimentation or modification of designs. It's not just as easy as a few clicks of the mouse.

Once a pattern has been establish, it's on to a sewing machine. Today's high-end machines have built-in computers, as well as small monitor displays for easier operation. The computer has a series of sensors that tell the it how all of the machine components are positioned. By precisely moving the work area forward, backward and side to side while adjusting the needle assembly to vary the stitching style, the computer can produce an infinite number of elaborate shapes and lines.

And remember, when you to increase the size of a small left-chest design to a large jacket back or full front, a new file needs to be digitized - even if the design is being sewn on the same fabric - because different stitch types and/or styles will be required.

Common items for embroidery: Golf Shirts, Baseball Caps, Bags, Sweatshirts (higher end), Jackets, Polar Fleece.

Appliqué

Appliqué comes from the french appliquer which means to "put on". In appliqué, one layer of fabric is places over another layer of fabric and is sewn in place. This technique, when partnered with traditional embroidery opens up a whole new design world allowing for many more possibilities than just embroidery alone.

Common items for appliqué: Jersey Crests

Heat Transfer

This process involves applying pre-cut lettering or numbering to a garment with a heat press. Because these products have been designed specifically for fabric and washing, the lettering will not fade or crack and is adhered to the garment permanently.

Common items for silk screening: Numbers & names on jerseys, bags, etc.