Screen printing, digital artwork, embroidery and applied details. Find the right way to bring your graphic onto the garment.
Start with the effect: a soft print, a sharp raised logo, textured stitching or a light-catching detail. Then match the process to the fabric, artwork, placement and quantity.
SALATI helps turn those choices into a sampling brief for custom hoodies, graphic T-shirts, matching sets and private-label clothing. This guide covers the main industry methods and specialist options; process availability and compatibility are confirmed for each project.
Find a starting point for your designA screen controls where ink meets the fabric. The ink system, color separations and curing process determine coverage, softness and the finished surface. For custom T-shirts and hoodies, start with the actual fabric color and artwork size.
Ink forms an opaque layer on the fabric surface. A familiar choice for solid logos and bold multicolor graphics.
Cotton jerseys, fleece and tested blends; chest logos, back prints and repeat orders.
Review ink thickness, coverage on dark cloth, stretch and wash behavior. Polyester may need a dye-blocking system.
Water-based ink systems range from soft, fabric-led prints to opaque high-solids finishes. The recipe matters as much as the name.
Soft-feel T-shirt graphics and larger motifs where the garment’s handfeel is a priority.
Assess opacity on the chosen color, drying and curing, and the feel after washing. Water-based alone is not a certification.
A discharge system removes compatible fabric dye in the printed area; pigment can introduce a replacement color.
A soft, vintage graphic on suitable dyed cotton, after a fabric test.
Not every dye discharges evenly. Check the actual dye lot, residual color, fine detail and the final washed sample.
Dots and separated color layers reproduce shading, illustrations and photographic effects through screens.
Detailed artwork intended for a repeat production run; tonal artwork and vintage-style graphics.
Confirm separation count, dot definition, underbase, registration and appearance at the intended print size.
Artwork is printed across fabric or cut panels before sewing. Flatbed and rotary systems suit different repeat patterns and production scales.
Repeating motifs, coordinated sets, large sleeve artwork and graphics that extend beyond a standard garment platen.
Plan the repeat, panel orientation, seam allowance and seam matching. “All-over” describes coverage, not one specific printing method.
Direct printing and transfers can reproduce full-color artwork, but they put the graphic onto the garment in different ways. Compare color, surface feel and compatibility before choosing a process for private-label apparel.
The black T-shirt lies flat on a Brother GTX PRO garment printer, with the artwork positioned on the chest.
The same purple illustration is visible on the printer. A full-size sample reveals gradients and edge quality on the actual cloth.
Off the platen, the complete T-shirt shows the scale and position of the artwork. Final approval also includes handfeel and care testing.
An inkjet printer applies textile ink directly to a garment. Detailed illustrations and gradients are common applications.
Cotton-rich T-shirts and sweatshirts; polyester requires a compatible printer, ink and pretreatment system.
Review pretreatment, white underbase on dark fabric, curing, surface fibers and the washed print. Test the exact blank.
The graphic is printed onto film, combined with adhesive powder, cured and heat-pressed onto the garment.
Full-color logos on many compatible cotton, polyester and blended fabrics, including smaller placement areas.
Check adhesion, edge definition, stretch and dye migration. Large solid graphics can feel more covered than an open design.
Heat transfers dye into suitable polyester fibers. The design has no separate surface film.
White or light polyester sportswear, printed panels and full-coverage patterns.
Standard sublimation has no white ink and is not a direct solution for dark cotton. Review polyester content, ghosting and panel alignment.
A colored film is cut to shape, weeded and heat-applied. Matte, metallic, reflective, flock and dimensional films create different finishes.
Names, numbers, clean lettering and small batches of simple logos.
Select a film for the fabric’s stretch and heat tolerance. Test fine cuts, layered areas, edge adhesion and care requirements.
Screen-printed artwork is prepared on a carrier and heat-applied later, separating print preparation from garment application.
Repeated logos, planned releases and graphics applied across several compatible garment styles.
Agree the ink and adhesive system, press settings, peel method and fabric suitability with the transfer supplier.
A digital textile printer decorates fabric before cutting and sewing. Pigment, reactive, acid and disperse ink routes serve different fibers.
Detailed yardage prints, repeating patterns and cut-and-sew collections.
Match ink chemistry to the fiber. Confirm fixation or washing requirements, colorfastness, repeat size and the finished fabric handfeel.
A screen-printed base or special effect is combined with a digital image in the same graphic.
Detailed illustrations that also need a solid base, raised accent or another screen-printed element.
Review registration between processes, curing compatibility and the exact order of operations on a complete sample.
Texture and light can change a simple logo completely. Send SALATI a physical reference when height, softness, shine or reflectivity is central to the design; those qualities are difficult to judge from a flat mockup.
A heat-reactive puff ink expands during curing to create rounded, raised lettering or graphic areas.
Bold hoodie logos and simple shapes with enough space between elements.
Fine lines and small gaps can close as the print expands. Approve height, outline shape and softness after curing and washing.
A controlled ink build creates a raised surface with more defined edges than a typical puff print.
Structured lettering, geometric badges and layered streetwear graphics.
Review edge sharpness, print height, flexibility and adhesion. A taller deposit changes the garment’s feel and folding behavior.
Specialist systems create smooth, flexible raised graphics; clear gel effects can add gloss over selected areas.
Dimensional logos and performance-inspired details on compatible fabrics.
Specify matte or gloss, height and stretch. Confirm dye blocking where needed and test bonding to the selected cloth.
Short fibers bond to an adhesive design or arrive as a heat-applied flock layer, giving the motif a velvet-like surface.
Soft-touch lettering, retro graphics and tactile logo accents.
Compare pile density, shedding, edge definition and washing. Flock is a fiber surface, while suede-effect ink imitates a soft texture.
A metallic or holographic film bonds to selected areas, creating a light-catching graphic.
Shiny logos, limited-edition accents and contrast against matte fabric.
Approve reflectivity in ordinary light, adhesion and the aged appearance after care testing. Avoid assuming a mirror finish stays unchanged after wear.
Special pigments or particles add sparkle, shimmer or a metallic appearance without using a continuous foil sheet.
Statement graphics, outlined logos and highlights inside a larger print.
Check particle scale, handfeel, print detail and color in several lighting conditions.
Reflective ink or film returns light toward its source, creating a different effect under direct illumination.
Fashion logos and reflective accents on compatible garments.
Compare daylight and illuminated appearance. A decorative reflective print does not by itself establish a safety-apparel rating.
Specialist inks can glow after light exposure, react under blacklight, or change appearance in response to light or temperature.
Novelty graphics and selective accents where the changing effect is part of the design.
Confirm the precise mechanism, activation conditions, effect duration and wash stability. These finishes are not interchangeable.
Specialty bases create controlled cracks, soft suede-like surfaces or rougher printed textures.
Worn-looking graphics and tactile accents on sweatshirts and T-shirts.
Distinguish an intended crackle effect from failed adhesion. Approve the texture and its development after washing.
Embroidery converts artwork into a stitch program. Thread, backing, stitch direction and the fabric’s stability influence the result. Salati Apparel sample review should include the reverse side and how the garment feels against the body.
An embroidery head works over a pink garment. Hooping and stabilization support the fabric as the motif is stitched.
Multiple embroidery heads repeat a program across hooped garments. Placement and thread consistency remain part of sample approval.
The finished pink-on-pink lettering shows thread coverage, edge definition and its relationship to the base fabric.
Satin stitches, fill stitches and running stitches build a graphic directly onto the base fabric.
Chest logos, crests, small artwork and branded details on stable jersey, fleece and woven garments.
Review letter size, stitch density, puckering, thread color and backing. Enlarge or simplify details that cannot stitch cleanly.
A traced outline leaves the interior open; chain stitches create a linked, drawn quality.
Script, line art and lighter-looking motifs with visible base fabric.
Check line continuity, thread tension and whether the chosen stitch holds the intended curve and lettering.
Specially digitized stitching covers a foam support to lift parts of the design above the surface.
Bold letters and shapes on stable caps, jackets and selected heavier garment areas.
Check foam coverage, corners, cut edges and fabric support. It uses thread and foam, unlike heat-expanded puff ink.
Loop and chain stitch techniques produce a soft, textured pile, often used in varsity lettering.
Large letters, badges and retro graphics on heavier sweatshirts and outerwear.
Compare pile height, edge finish, backing bulk and laundering. Small internal spaces need sufficient clearance.
Cord, tape or ribbon is guided onto the surface and secured with stitches, adding a distinct raised line.
Script, ornamental outlines and textured motifs on stable panels.
Check corner turning, material joints, snagging and how securely the cord or tape is attached.
Controlled long stitches or thread ends create a loose fringe as part of a stitched graphic.
Expressive lettering and tactile details on fashion sweatshirts or denim.
Approve fringe length and anchoring, then assess tangling, shedding and the effect after care testing.
Fabric, patches, stones and hardware bring materials into the artwork itself. Placement and attachment must suit the garment’s weight, movement and intended care. Combine processes only after reviewing the complete assembly.
Cut fabric shapes are stitched to the garment. Twill, felt, jersey or contrasting cloth can supply the color and texture.
Varsity letters, oversized logos and layered motifs that would be dense if fully embroidered.
Specify fabric, layer order and edge stitching. Check shrinkage between layers and the weight of the finished design.
Reverse appliqué exposes a lower layer through a cut upper layer; raw-edge appliqué allows an intentionally frayed border.
Vintage-style graphics, contrasting fabric reveals and distressed lettering.
Define the cut line, securing stitches and acceptable fraying. Review the effect after washing, not just before finishing.
A separate badge is embroidered or woven, then sewn or heat-applied to the garment using a specified backing.
Crests, repeat brand badges and placements where a separate patch is preferable to direct embroidery.
Confirm small-letter legibility, edge treatment, backing and attachment. Woven patches and embroidered patches have different textures.
Stones arranged into artwork are heat-bonded, sewn or mechanically set, depending on the component.
Sparkling text and selective highlights on hoodies, T-shirts and denim.
Agree stone size, color and spacing. Test attachment, heat sensitivity and the garment’s care method on the selected fabric.
Sequins or beads are stitched onto the garment by suitable equipment or hand application.
Decorative fills, outlined graphics and details where sparkle and movement matter.
Review attachment, snagging, reverse-side comfort and weight. Use an appropriate care plan for the complete embellished garment.
Metal components are arranged into patterns and attached using the component’s specified setting method.
Denim, outerwear and reinforced graphic areas.
Check placement, backing protection, sharp edges, attachment strength and the effect on wear comfort.
A separately formed badge adds a dimensional logo, then attaches by sewing, bonding or another compatible process.
Outerwear branding, sports-inspired logos and tactile accents.
Approve material, thickness, mold detail and attachment. A molded badge is a different construction from silicone printed directly onto fabric.
Some motifs are formed in the surface or built into the fabric. These methods need to be planned earlier because the base material and garment construction are part of the effect.
A shaped tool creates raised or recessed relief in suitable material, sometimes with a supporting layer.
Tonal logos and minimal, dimensional branding.
Trial the material and tooling together. Check relief retention, surface marking and appearance after washing and recovery.
A controlled laser changes a surface or cuts a motif. It can create tonal denim graphics or accurately shaped appliqué pieces.
Compatible denim, felt and other verified laser-processable materials.
Confirm material composition and processing suitability. Check contrast, edge condition and retained fabric strength after washing.
The motif is knitted or woven into the textile using yarn placement, rather than printed onto a finished surface.
Custom knitwear, repeating fabric patterns and color-blocked sweater artwork.
Review gauge, yarn count, color changes, floats or backing, and the detail achievable at the intended scale.
Resisting or selectively applying color produces patterned areas in the cloth. Hand-dyed effects naturally vary.
Organic color patterns, coordinated dyed sets and one-of-a-kind-looking surfaces.
Agree a visual range, not pixel-identical repeats. Review colorfastness, placement variation and interaction with later print or embroidery.
Color is sprayed or painted onto selected areas, producing soft transitions or a deliberately hand-worked graphic.
Custom art effects, shaded motifs and limited fashion pieces.
Approve a representative sample and an acceptable variation range. Specify textile-compatible color, fixation and care.
A specialist process selectively removes one fiber component from a suitable blended fabric to create a translucent pattern.
Compatible mixed-fiber fabrics developed specifically for the effect.
Confirm fiber composition and specialist processing availability. Review strength, sheerness, handle and finishing before committing to the design.
Use these starting points to narrow the discussion. A strike-off, embroidery sew-out or complete decorated sample turns a visual idea into something that can be compared and approved.
| The design goal | Methods to compare | The deciding details |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs & smooth gradients | DTG, DTF or separated screen printing | Base fabric, print feel, image resolution and order quantity |
| Soft, vintage-looking artwork | Water-based or compatible discharge printing | Dye compatibility, washed color and fine detail |
| A bold, raised logo | Puff, high-density, silicone or 3D embroidery | Rounded ink, sharp ink edges or visible thread texture |
| Varsity lettering & textured badges | Chenille, appliqué or embroidered patches | Pile, edge finish, backing and garment weight |
| Names, numbers & simple lettering | Cut HTV, DTF or screen-printed transfers | Fabric stretch, heat sensitivity and cut detail |
| Full-coverage fabric patterns | Sublimation, direct-to-fabric or panel printing | Fiber composition, repeat, cut layout and seams |
| Sparkle, shine or light-reactive detail | Rhinestones, sequins, foil or specialty inks | Attachment, lighting effect and care requirements |
A clear brief lets Salati Apparel assess the intended effect before a print method is fixed. Include the garment’s planned wash or dye treatment: finishing can change ink, thread and adhesives.
Original files, a PDF preview, dimensions, color references and front/back placement. Mark sleeve, pocket and seam-crossing details separately.
Composition, weight, garment color and a close-up or physical reference for softness, relief, shine or thread texture.
Style, color and size breakdown; the required sample scope; and agreed checks for appearance, handfeel, attachment and care.
SALATI’s original product and process archive includes printing, embroidery and applied-detail references. This guide also explains established industry options so a buyer can describe the intended result accurately. Dongguan City Salati Apparel Co., Ltd. confirms the available production route, fabric compatibility, sample scope and quotation for each project; a method appearing in this guide is not a claim that every process is operated in-house.
DTG prints directly onto the garment; DTF transfers the printed graphic from a film; screen printing applies ink through prepared stencils. Compare the actual artwork, fabric composition, garment color, surface feel and quantity. SALATI can review a reference and discuss an appropriate sample route. No one method is best for every cotton T-shirt, polyester garment or hoodie.
No. Puff printing raises an ink layer through heat. High-density printing builds a more defined ink relief. 3D puff embroidery uses thread over a foam support. Ask Salati Apparel to compare the intended texture, edge shape and fabric support, and identify the exact method in the approved specification.
Send the original editable artwork where available, a PDF preview, dimensions in millimeters or centimeters, and a front/back placement drawing. Include color references and the intended fabric. For raster artwork, provide the highest-resolution original at the required output size. Outline fonts or supply the font details. Embroidery needs digitizing; an ordinary image file is not yet a stitch program.
The workable detail depends on the method, fabric and final size. Embroidery needs space for stitches; puff expands; cut film needs weedable details; printed gradients need an appropriate digital or halftone workflow. Oversized artwork may need panel decoration before sewing. A full-size strike-off or sew-out is the useful reference for approving these details.
Yes, mixed-media designs are possible, but the sequence and materials need review. Heat from a later transfer, wash chemistry or dense stitching can affect an earlier decoration. SALATI sample development should test the combined design on the intended fabric, including the reverse side, attachment and care behavior.
An enzyme wash, garment dye or distressed finish can change the print, thread, adhesive or embellishment. Agree whether decoration happens before or after finishing and approve the final sequence. SALATI should receive the desired wash reference together with the artwork, so the final sample shows the complete result.
Print size, locations, colors, screens, stitch count, digitizing, molds, trims, application labor and total quantity can all affect cost. The fabric and finishing route also matter. Send SALATI a quantity breakdown by style, color and size to obtain a project-specific quote. This guide does not set a universal minimum quantity or delivery promise.
Process guidance draws on equipment, ink and material manufacturers. Equipment photographs come from SALATI’s original website archive. Process and surface studies illustrate decoration methods. Confirm the production route and material compatibility for each project.
