Vinyl printing or Cad Cut is when a sheet of vinyl is cut using a special plotter which is then heat applied to the garments.
Vinyl printing is generally limited to simple text and designs a 1 colour print is the norm but we can overlay different colours of vinyl to produce some clever effects... The artwork is required in a vector format which is produced in a software package i.e. Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw, this artwork format produces the design in lines as opposed to pixels as in a jpeg image.
The artwork is sent in mirror image to the vinyl cutter, which is very much like a large printer, however instead of using ink it uses a blade. Once the image has been etched into the vinyl, the vinyl can then be removed from the cutter. The excess vinyl surrounding the image can be weeded (removed) from the backing sheet, once this has removed you will be left with your design.
The design is now ready to be applied to the garment using a heat press. The approx temperature of the heat press to apply the image is 160c, this does vary depending on the garment and the vinyl used. The garment is placed on the heat press base plate and the image can then be placed in the appropriate position on the garment, the heat clamp is then closed for approximately 10-15 seconds and then released. The backing film can now be removed from the garment and you are left with your design.
Vinyls have improved greatly over the last few years and and is should no longer be thought of as a cheap quick fix option we create designs as durable as screen print, with a distinctive clean edge,the quality vinyl we use has been wash tested repetedly at 60 degrees withought any loss of colour or cracking.
When to use Cad Cut Vinyl printing?
- Individual Names and Numbers- clubs, Football teams etc
- When creating a one off design - simply having your name on a hoody
- Single or Multicoloured logos that need to look bright and bold
- Flock effect - luxurious velvet-like pile transfer
- Metallic colours - high gloss metallic print
- Flourecent colours - Dayglo Pink, yellow, green
- Glow in the dark - great for a party or night owls
- High Visibility workwear - Uses a reflective Vinyl
