What are Spreadconnect's printing techniques?
Printing Techniques
Digital Direct, also called DTG or Direct-to-garment, is the standard print method for Spreadconnect. As a merchant, you’re able to change the print method to plot printing — if it’s possible for the selected design. You can see if a design is eligible for plot printing by clicking on the design and opening the color selection. If it is available, you will be able to select Flex, Special Flex, and Flock as printing methods. Requirements for printing graphics with plot and Digital Direct can be found here.
Please note: Print on Demand is a manual process, the designs are placed on the products by actual people who are always trying their best to realise the placement of the design on the product as it is ordered. However, positioning might still vary slightly from the screen preview or from other products. If in doubt, feel free to contact us for further details.
This is how we print: Digital Print
Digital Direct
In computer-controlled production, design colors are sprayed onto the product. Digital Direct is a fan favorite and Spreadconnect’s standard print method (selected by default).
Available for all file formats
Vivid print results
The design surface feels smooth
Thermo Sublimation
The design is initially printed on a transfer foil and then put onto the product by means of thermal evaporation.
Available for all file formats
Minimum resolution for pixel graphics: 400dpi
Used to print on accessories like mugs and phone cases
Results in a colorized product surface
Direct-to-Film: Transfer Print
Direct-to-Film is a transfer print method, where your design is first digitally printed on a carrier film and then pressed onto the product by applying heat. It’s very beneficial, because prints come out brilliantly (even with delicate designs), and colors are true and lasting.
Available for all file formats
Vivid print results
The design surface feels smooth
Digital Transfer / Laser Transfer
The design is initially printed onto transfer foil and then printed on the product by applying heat. White products use a transparent foil, colored products use a white transfer foil.
Available for all file formats
Used to print on accessories like bags and caps
Flex Printing
The design is printed onto matte foil and then heat-pressed on the product.
The design must be in a vector graphics file.
Maximum of three colors per design.
Suitable for text and smaller designs (e.g. logos).
Once printed, the design feels smooth.
Flock Printing
The design is cut out of a velvety foil and then heat-pressed onto the product.
The design must be in a vector graphics file.
Maximum of three colors per design.
Once printed, the design feels velvety.
Special Flex
With a similar Flex printing process, this special method is used for special effect foils, like glitter or glow-in-the-dark.
The design must be in a vector graphics file.
Suitable for text and simple designs.
Only one color per design is possible.
Please note: For all plot prints (flex, flock, and special flex printing), an extra $2.50 / 2,50€ will be added to the product price when they are selected. This is a one-time charge per product, not per design or print area.
Laundry test for best print results
Before products are added to our range, we make sure they live up to our high standards with thorough testing. Products and prints must go through a cycle of ten washes without losing color saturation before we consider them satisfactory for our customers. We accept nothing but brilliant prints with realistic color reproduction. This is the best way to establish quality assurance.
