Application Methods
Thanks to our state-of-the-art machinery, April Su offers a variety of techniques to apply your logo to your chosen garment.
Our advanced printing and embroidery equipment bring your logo to life on any garment. However, factors such as the material of your garment should be considered when deciding on the best application method for your needs.
To assist you in selecting the most suitable customization method, we have outlined key points for each type of logo application below.
Printing offers numerous advantages: durability, the ability to create unique and complex designs, and the use of extremely vivid colors. We utilize the highest quality printing machines to ensure an exceptional end product that will leave you satisfied. Depending on the garments and the complexity of your logo, different print techniques may be more appropriate. Our primary methods include screen printing, heat transfer, and Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, which are explained in detail below.
Screen Printing
If your logo features bright and vibrant colors, screen printing is an excellent choice to make those colors stand out. This method is ideal for bulk orders with the same design applied to multiple garments. Screen printing uses multi-colored inks to recreate your logo, which are then applied to the garment through mesh screens. Once we receive your logo, it is separated into different colors for each screen. After each color is applied, the garment is placed under a heat lamp and then undergoes a drying process to ensure the ink remains durable and resists washing out. This process is suitable for a wide range of garments, from T-shirts to hoodies, and works particularly well for large back designs on multiple garments. Screen printing is best suited for larger orders.
Direct-to-Garment (DTG)
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing involves a printer directly applying ink to the garment. To ensure the highest quality application, specialized printers and inks that are absorbed by the garment fibers are used. A fixing agent is also applied to the garments before production to help the colors adhere properly. As a result, garments may need to be washed before their first wear to eliminate any residual smell from the fixing agent. DTG is ideal for complex logos and designs with multiple colors, typically used for one-off, full-color jobs that require a fast turnaround. This printing method works particularly well with T-shirts and hoodies.
Heat Transfer
Heat transfer is comparable to the names and numbers on the back of a football shirt. A sheet of vinyl is carefully cut into the specific shape of your logo or design, flipped, and then heat-sealed onto the garment using a heat press. Vinyl transfer is ideal for less complex designs with few colors, typically logos with one or two colors. This method is well-suited for relatively low-quantity orders and is compatible with most garments (excluding fleece and wool). We recommend this process for high-visibility (Hi-Vis) garments.
Embroidery
Embroidered garments are perfect for various purposes, most notably for employers seeking to provide their workforce with a strong identity and promote their brand. When adding a logo through embroidery, a metal frame is placed onto the garment, and backing fabric is applied to the logo area to secure it during stitching. Occasionally, this process may leave a mark on the garment, but it can be easily removed by rubbing or washing. The embroidery itself is carried out by a computerized embroidery machine. Your logo is digitized and submitted to the machine, along with additional instructions such as thread color. We use only the highest quality threads and embroidery machines to ensure a superior result.
Embroidery is best suited for polo shirts, business shirts and blouses, aprons and tabards, jackets, and headwear.
Additional Notes
To maintain our quality standards, we do not offer embroidery services for garments weighing under 180gsm. Thin materials cannot support embroidery effectively, often resulting in puckering, which compromises the polished appearance we strive for. Similarly, we do not provide DTG printing on 100% polyester garments, as the fabric cannot hold the print effectively. Instead, screen printing is available as an alternative for these materials, but only for larger orders of 20 garments or more.