“From quilted prints to accented bags with floral-print fabrics, a print is an inexpensive way to enhance a product and increase its user value.”

Marty Seaborn, marketing manager for Sun N Sand Accessories (asi/90142)

“Water-based ink is one way to go for having environmentally friendly inks.”

Tom Vann, owner of Tommy’s T-Shirt Factory

“When presenting the types of more elaborate decoration work you do to clients, it makes sense for you to have a good variety of samples to they can see the uniqueness and quality of the work you offer.”

Thomas Trimingham, award-winning artist, separator and industry consultant

“One of the most popular trends right now is to apply sequins over a screen-printed background on a garment, and water-based inks won’t re-melt if you use a heat press to apply those rhinestones or sequins.”

Greg Gaardbo, owner of Shockwaves Promotional Apparel

“Plastisol is the most popular screen-print ink system and is used on cotton, cotton/poly blends, polyester and nylon. Special inks and/or additives are needed for polyesters and nylon, so check with your supplier.”

Johnny Shell, vice president of technical services for the Specialty Graphics Imaging Association

“In multimedia decoration that combines screen-printing ink and thread, the screen-printed portion is usually printed first, and then the embroidery is sewn on top of the print, since embroidery tends to create a more uneven surface.”

Tom Vann, owner of Tommy’s T-Shirt Factory

“The best way to sell a special effect (such as layering embroidery over screen printing) is to create your own spin on it and label it yourself, so you can charge more for it than just adding embroidery, rhinestones or glitter to a print.”

Tom Vann, owner of Tommy’s T-Shirt Factory

“Oversize printing that takes up a lot of the garment really has customers talking. Larger, printed pieces can command a higher price point, and few printers can handle this style of printing, so it can be less competitive.”

Maurice Chalonec, president of RCSilk

“You can find many designs in your library where you can use Mylar for added dramatic effect. For example, a simple seashell design works well and it’s equally effective with almost any color choice.”

Deborah Jones, author of Machine Embroidery on Difficult Materials

“When editing the fill-stitched areas of your design with Mylar, aim for a density value that will product about 65% of normal coverage, which will place the stitches farther apart and give the Mylar areas a defined, neatly finished appearance.”

Deborah Jones, author of Machine Embroidery on Difficult Materials

“It’s best to the embroidery-and-Mylar technique on items that aren’t laundered frequently, such as caps, back-packs, holiday guest towels and decorative items.”
Deborah Jones, author of Machine Embroidery on Difficult Materials

“The embroidery-and-Mylar technique works best when you use it with fill-stitched areas, rather than satin-stitched areas.”

Deborah Jones, author of Machine Embroidery on Difficult Materials

“Don’t dry-clean garments that have been embellished using Mylar. The garments can be washed and dried normally, but dry on cool in a short cycle.”

Deborah Jones, author of Machine Embroidery on Difficult Materials

“To add pizzazz to an embroidery design, trying pairing it with Mylar for a new take on shine.”

Deborah Jones, author of Machine Embroidery on Difficult Materials

“When digitizing left, center and right elements of a design, I recommend choosing the center element to sew first because its underlay will aid in stabilizing the fabric.”

Bonnie Landsberger, owner of Moonlight Design

“When fabrics require a long stitch length, your travel stitches should be covered as soon as possible during the run.”

Bonnie Landsberger, owner of Moonlight Design

“By using a short stitch length, pop-outs are less likely to occur.”

Bonnie Landsberger, owner of Moonlight Design

“When you’re creating the foundation, it’s not always necessary to tack the entire design area before beginning larger elements, as long as you’ve secured a good portion around the larger elements that sew first.”

Bonnie Landsberger, owner of Moonlight Design

“The general rule for any design path is to work the stitching from the center to the outside in an effort to gradually shock the fabric.”

Bonnie Landsberger, owner of Moonlight Design

“Draw directional arrows of the first stitches to sew on a printout of the image, and jot down reminders about any changes you’ll need to make. Your notes will shorten your decision-making time while you’re digitizing.”

Bonnie Landsberger, owner of Moonlight Design