Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 15

People new to
DTG printing
logically will
think, 'Since
the machine is
CMYK, I must
create artwork
in CMYK
mode.' Always
create artwork
in RGB mode.

and blurry," or has "stair-stepped pixelization" throughout, especially along
the edges of elements in the layout.
When it comes to DTG printing, the
fi rst thing is to set up the fi le at the proper
size and resolution. Unlike vector fi les
that can be infi nitely enlarged without
losing any quality, raster fi les are fi nite.
There's only so much information contained in the fi le, so create it with enough
resolution that it prints beautifully.
When creating a new document, enter
the correct parameters. Th is determines
how the image will print. Always create
the fi le with high resolution (300ppi).
When I create art, I always use 14" x 14",
300ppi, RGB mode and the background
contents always are transparent. In the
Advanced Options dropdown, I set the
color profi le to Adobe RGB (1998). Th is
will result in rich blacks and vibrant
colors.

MISTAKE 2: Using flat
vector graphics designed
for screen printing
A common mistake is trying to digitally print using artwork that has been
designed in a vector program for a typical
screen-printed look. Th is usually results
in fl at, lifeless prints.
Keep in mind, screen printing has
the luxury of using opaque inks and the
capability of using spot colors, so it's
possible to get really bright reds, greens,
blues and even neon colors. There is no
A Supplement to i m p r e s s i o n s

way that a digital printer can compete
with that.
DTG printing uses transparent inks.
If you're printing on a white shirt, most
people do so with no pretreat. Th is results
in soft, faded looks. The inks are so thin,
they wick into the shirt's cotton and just
lay there, lifeless. If you're printing on a
colored or black shirt, print a white base
under it and then the colors on top.
Again, with transparent inks, you only

get so much reflective light bouncing back
to your eyes. The vibrancy is nowhere
near the punch of opaque plastisol inks.
We need to change our approach and
design according to the strength of the
technology the DTG printer gives us,
and that means full-color, super-tight
detail. When creating artwork in full
color (something not available to screen
printing unless it's a fairly large run), the
DTG printer can print a single, full-color
Spring 2020 * 15



Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020

Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020
Contents
Press on with Hard-Surface Sublimation
DTG Printing & Online Myths
The Right Art = The Right Print
Easy Tips and Tools for Marketing Sublimation
Increase Apparel- Decorating Sales with Non-Apparel Add-Ons
Digital Decorating Products
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - Cover2
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - Contents
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 2
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 3
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - Press on with Hard-Surface Sublimation
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 5
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 6
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 7
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 8
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 9
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - DTG Printing & Online Myths
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 11
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 12
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 13
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - The Right Art = The Right Print
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 15
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 16
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 17
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - Easy Tips and Tools for Marketing Sublimation
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 19
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 20
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 21
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - Increase Apparel- Decorating Sales with Non-Apparel Add-Ons
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 23
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 24
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 25
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 26
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - Digital Decorating Products
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 28
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - 29
Impressions - Digital Decorator 2020 - Cover4
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