Here is a quick video tutorial for a common question that we see from apparel decorators who are not sure how to “knock out” or eliminate a portion of their graphic to make it shirt color.
Understanding how color will be produced is one of the more complicated issues of the printing industry. The goal of this installment is to provide you with a thorough understanding of color reproduction so that you can effectively translate your customers expectations into satisfied repeat business.
There are two types or modes of color: CMYK (4-Color Process) and RGB.
RGB is simply an acronym for (r)ed, (b)lue & (g)reen. They are the three colors of light that are mixed to produce the spectrum of color displayed on your monitor (computer screen, television etc.).
CMYK is the acronym for (c)yan, (m)agenta, (y)ellow & blac(k). These four colors of ink (not light) are mixed in the printing process known as 4-color process to create a spectrum of printed color. The CMYK printing method is used to create color in our freedom 4-color process product.
All monitors display color in RGB and F&M’s freedom heat transfers use CMYK. Instead of having CMYK color cartridges like your color printer, we use CMYK screens to screen print full color images.
One area where CMYK color differ from the RGB display is blues and purples. Some of the default “blue” colors in Corel Draw actually have CMYK breakdowns that will print purple instead of blue. The video below shows you how to check your file to ensure that the colors you intend to print blue will print as expected.
Including a jpg, pdf, or png proof along with your artwork (.ai, .eps, .psd, .cdr) helps us ensure accurate and on time delivery of your custom screen printed heat transfers. Our team of graphic artists use the proofs to:
Creating a proof is as easy as FILE>Export (Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw) and FILE>Save As… (Adobe Photoshop).
The term “live font” refers to text in an art file that is able to edited with the the text editing tools. The problem comes when you open an art file with live fonts on a computer that does not have that particular font. Often time design programs like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Corel Draw will give you a warning it will replace missing when opening a file that contains a font not currently loaded on a computer.
To avoid this problem we recommend that you convert all fonts in your artwork to outlines (Adobe Illustrator), curves (Corel Draw) or Raster (Photoshop). These to interchangeable terms simply mean that the text is now an object or a shape and no longer a font that can be edited. This allows you to open the file on any computer without altering your artwork. Before your send your artwork to be printed make sure you convert all fonts to outlines or curves.
This video gives you the step by step instructions for correcting live fonts in Adobe Illustrator.
The most common problem that we see in graphics submitted by our customers are issues with line size or details in the artwork that are too thin to print. Even though we have the tightest print tolerances in the industry, we still see files that are not going to reproduce well on press because those images contain detail that is simply too small. Printability is becoming a forgotten element of graphic design.
For spot colors our minimum positive or printed line thickness is 1 point or 0.01383 of an inch. Freedom, 4-color process graphics have a minimum print tolerance of 3 points or 0.04149 of an inch. In the video below we’ll show you how to check your file for minimum positive or printed line thickness issues. Note: We do check your file for these issues before we send your order to press, however correcting them yourself before you submit can prevent possible delays resulting the back and forth communication to get your image corrected.
The other concern for detailed areas of an image is the negative or non-printing area. If those areas where the garment color is supposed to come through are too thin, they may “close up” when the file is printed or transfered. The minimum non-printing area for both spot color and Freedom, 4-color process heat transfers is 2 points or 0.02766 of an inch. In the video below, we’ll show you how to check your file for non-printing areas that fall below the minimum 2 point tolerance and potentially close up.
A common question that we get from customers trying to set up their artwork for heat transfers that contain white is “what color should I use for white?”. The answer is white. Make all objects that you want to print white, white. The response is almost always “If I make it white, I can no longer see it.” Adobe Illustrator has a simple, under-utilized setting that allows you to view your objects on various transparent backgrounds making it easy to view white objects in your file. This quick video tutorial will walk you through the entire process.
Please be aware that severe weather conditions could delay delivery of shipments originating from our manufacturing facility in Mahwah, NJ. Third party shipping providers are reporting delays as winter storms move through the Northeast. Both UPS and FedEx did not pick up shipments scheduled to ship on Monday, December 27th.
Want to offer custom foil designs? It’s easier than you think. This tutorial walks through the application process.
Step One
If you ganged multiple images on a sheet to save cost like we did in this example. You’ll need to cut the designs apart. NOTE: The foil adhesive has a grey tint which makes it clearly visible on the garment. When ordering a custom spot color transfer for your foil designs request a “Foil Adhesive” for the ink color.
Position the transfer sheet on the garment and apply for 7 seconds at 350 F. Use firm pressure (50 to 60 psi on a pneumatic or 8-9 on a Hotronix Auto-Open) and peel the carrier sheet immediately.
Step Two
The foil comes on rolls that measure 12 inches by 200 feet. It’s a good idea to measure your design area to help calculate the best usage of your roll of material. You may find a different yield depending on orienting your design landscaped or portrait. Cut a sheet from the roll of foil to fit your design and place it on top of the previously applied image.
Press the foil for 7 seconds at 350 F. Use the same pressure settings but this time you’ll want to peel the foil cold. A teflon cover sheet is not required, but can be used.
SPECIAL EFFECT TIP | Create a Distressed Foil Look
You’ll notice that you have foil left over in the negative / non print area of the foil sheets you applied. Instead of just throwing them away you can use them to create a distress foil look this easy technique. After you apply the foil adhesive, simply take the discarded foil and dab it on top of the image area. You can crinkle up the sheet to enhance the distress look. The foil only transfers while the image area is hot, so you may need to re-heat the image for a few more seconds. If you do need to re-heat the area, be sure to cover the area protect it with a teflon cover sheet. When you notice the foil is not transferring its time to re-heat.
You can take this technique a step further by using multiple colors of foil to create a marbled look. This technique truly makes the garment a unique one of kind product that can demand a higher premium.
Caution: Because you are dabbing the foil on a freshly applied transfer at 350 F the area is hot so be careful to not touch the back of your hand to the heat platen. If you like having a finger print, its a good idea to wear gloves to protect you finger from the heat during the dabbing process.
For more information and pricing on foil heat transfer click here.
Please be aware that the upcoming holidays will impact our normal delivery times. Thursday and Friday (Nov. 25-26) will not be counted as production days. If your order would normally be scheduled to ship on Thursday, November 25 it will now ship on Monday, November 29. Likewise, orders normally scheduled to ship on Friday, November 26 will now ship on Tuesday, November 30. Happy Thanksgiving.
February 25, 2010 – As another snow storm moves through the northeast, please expect possible shipment delays. Third party shipping providers are reporting delays related to the latest storm. Check with your shipping provider to get the latest information about weather related shipment delays. Please consider weather conditions when choosing shipment methods on your orders.
