Screen printing can be a great way to customize clothing, bags, and other cloth items. Modern screen printing technology can produce excellent colors and high levels of detail, but it has its limitations. Getting a high-quality result depends on matching the correct design with the correct material. An experienced screen printing shop can help guide you in the right direction, but below are four factors you should be aware of during the designing process. 

Garment Size Can Affect Printing Options

If you have a particularly detailed design, you will likely want to cover a large amount of the garment you are printing on. However, some articles of clothing don't work well with large prints because of their shape and size. For example, children's shirts cannot use the same template as an adult shirt. Similarly, the shape of girls tee shirts, tank tops, and v-necks all limit the size of the print that can be used on them. It is a good idea to design for your smallest items or to create different designs for your smaller and larger garments. 

Some Materials Work Better With Less Detail 

Overly textured cloth such as canvas, jean, ribbed material, or polos, do not accept ink as well as flat, tight-knit fabric. To make the ink go into the deep crevices of these fabrics, the press uses more force. However, this can blur the details of some images. It is best to use fewer colors and simple images for highly textured or stretchy fabric. If you need sharp, detailed images, you will want to select a smooth fabric that will not stretch too much when worn. You can talk to your screen printer about your best options before purchasing any garments. 

Certain Colors Produce Bleed 

Some clothing colors will show through lighter inks such as whites, yellows, and cream, changing the overall appearance of your design. These are usually fabrics in the blue spectrum but can include some greens and reds as well. Before selecting your garment color, you should discuss any possible color changes in your design with your screen printer. If the color will negatively impact your design, you can either change your design or choose another color garment. 

While a lot is possible with modern screen printing, there are still limitations. For the best results, you should consult with an experienced screen printer. They can work with you to either adjust your design or order to get the best results possible for your project. For more information about screen printing, contact a local professional.