What Is The Print On A Bandana Called
There is often confusion on what methods and techniques are used for printing bandanas. Today, I’m going to review with you the top 3 ways that bandanas are printed. If you’ve been curious as to what is the print on a bandana called, then today I’ll answer that for you.
Top 3 Methods Of How Bandanas Are Printed
Method #1 – Dye Sublimation
Dye sublimation is a digital process. Specialized dyes are used to produce the image or design that a customer wants. These images are first printed on sublimation transfer paper. Later in the process, the image is transfered to the bandana using heat and pressure. Customers like this method, because it offers photographic results. You can use dye sublimation for bandana printing and get near real results when your design is a photo. However, the drawbacks to using Dye Sublimation printing for bandanas is that the bandana itself has to be made from polyester. In addition, the backs of the bandanas, typically remain white in color.
Dye sublimation prints on one side of the bandana, some dye will seep through to the back, but mostly, the back of the bandana will be white or off white. Due to the bandana material having to be polyester, and a white back being present, dye sublimation is often, not the prefered method for bandana prints.
Method #2 – Digital Printing
The second method used for printing bandanas is digital bandana printing. Unlike dye sublimation, digital printing requires no transfer paper. Rolls of fabric are spooled on a digital printer. Digital print heads then print the bandanas at high speed. Any type of fabric can be used for the bandana, and the bandanas are a solid color on the front and back.
However, this method is the most costly of the three. Minimum orders often begin in the thousands. This type of printing requires an extensive setup and therefor results in large minimum comittments. While the results look stellar, customers must be prepared to buy thousands of the same design.
Method #3 – Screen Printing
The most common and cost effective way to order custom bandanas is to use screen printing. Screen printing is inexepensive, quick and does not require high minimum orders. Be careful when selecting a company to provide custom bandanas using screen printing. There is a right way and a wrong way to screen print a bandana. Most screen printing companies use Plastisol ink. Since the vast majority of screen printers, print t-shirts, plastisol ink makes sense.
However, since bandnas are worn on the face, neck and head, customers won’t want scratchy plastic ink on their skin. Water-based dyes called discharge inks are the prefered product. As a bandana manufacturing company, BandanasOnline uses water-based dyes. This ensures that our bandanas are soft and safe to use against your skin.
What is the print on a bandana called? It’s called a screen print if you do it the right way!
If you are interested in ordering custom bandanas or would like to talk further about the process, please consider giving us a call (908) 806-8337 or email us today.