Screen Printing With Puff Ink

If you’ve been paying attention you’ve seen that more and more streetwear brands are bringing back the Puff Ink prints. This type of ink is a plastisol based ink that has been modified with the addition of a heat reactive foaming agent that makes the ink expand tp give you that ‘Puffy’ look.

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How Does It Work?

Puff ink adds a 3 dimensional aspect to screen printing on garments. With this type of ink, you will follow the same screen printing steps as printing with standard water-based inks.

You can use puff ink across the entire artwork, or you can choose specific elements or colors of the design to give it the desired effect to bring more attention or 'pop' to a particular part of the artwork.

One of the downsides to printing with puff ink is that it’s hard to match the exact Pantone ink colors as opposed to using regular water-based ink. This is because the puff ink additive changes different colors in different ways. However, usually, lighter Pantone colors are easier to match than darker colors.

Keep It Simple

There are no fundamental limitations when using puff ink for t shirt printing, apart from when your design has small details that are less than 1 - 2mm wide. For the best puff print, you will want your design to have thick lines and minimal small details. When creating a design featuring text, choosing the right font is key. The thicker the lines the more your design will stand out.

Check out How To Add Puff Additive To Plastisol Ink

How It’s Made

You should use plastisol inks of any color and add a puff additive such as “Rutland NPT puff’ which recommends a 5% to 15% ratio for an optimum puff. The amount of additive dictates how much the ink will rise. With puff ink, it’s important to measure how much additive and paint to mix by weight.

When it comes to your screen, the lower the mesh count, the more open the holes are, which translates to more ink deposit and results in a more “puffy” print.

Once you’ve added the ink to your garment in the chosen design, as the ink goes through the dryer and the heat rises, so does your ink. Like a loaf of bread!

Aftercare

To preserve a puff print or any other specialty prints, it is recommended that you wash it inside out with cold water. Do not use a tumble-dryer, hang dry if possible and do not iron over the print.

Check out Puff Ink – The definitive designers guide for apparel creation

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Pro’s and Con’s List

Pros of Puff Screen Printing

• Fast printing technique for printing in large volumes

• Can be printed in conjunction with a wide selection of other inks and effects

• Can produce designs with multiple colors

• High-durability, will not crumble and flake off

• Professional finish and usually less expensive (consult with your printer)

• Can print on most types of fabrics

Cons of Puff Screen Printing

• Initial setup fee makes it unsuitable for small quantity orders

• Not good for use in fine detailed artwork

• Can not be used for image (raster based) prints

• Can not be printed alongside, foil, flock or high density print effects

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Get the inside scoop from Lee Stuart printing with Puff Ink for the first time!

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Brand Spotlight

Japangeles is a Los Angeles based streetwear brand located in the heart of Little Tokyo. Japangeles has done collaborations with other major brands such as Kirin, Hello Kitty, Champion, and Lexus. Their simplistic yet eye-catching approach to design and word play has caught the attention of many people looking for high-quality garments and minimalistic aesthetics in Los Angeles. Their newest design features a puff ink print, demonstrating the current popularity of this type of specialty print method.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

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Printmaking Design Trends of 2023

Graphic design trends are as unforgettable and recyclable as apparel trends, and this is why the two sometimes overlap, especially if you’re a lifestyle brand. Printmaking can be an integral part for all brands and especially if you’re an artist or musician.

A bright yet simplistic mood is brewing in print design for 2022. Print trends across magazines, brochures, packaging and posters will be dominated by bright colors, playful shapes, and novel print finishes.

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DESIGN TRENDS

80’s and 90’s nostalgia is back and it’s everywhere from how kid’s are dressing to what brands have adopted as their brand visuals. Within this genre, we see influences from the past with a touch of modern elements.

90’s Retro Design

In 2022, the retro comeback has finally landed on the 90s with the pop culture comeback of The Matrix and Netflix’s Fear Street, ushering in an era of gothic serifs, neon colors and vaporwave landscapes.

we are reexperiencing the 90s through Memphis design patterns, simple emojis and primitive internet frames also known as brutalist design.

Within this genre of design, we see minimalism and simplicity front and center. People want the sense of familiarity coupled with fun abstract shapes that are not overwhelming.

Typography

2022 is bringing more vibrant, expressive, and experimental lettering. In this new era, we expect lettering that pushes the bounds of easy legibility, creating forms that are expressive in and of themselves.

Because this trend is rooted in experimentation and personal expression, the sky is the limit as far as how it can look. Mismatched letter styles, mind-bending shapes and amorphous blobs are all on the table.

All in all, this type of lettering challenges the distinction between abstract shapes and legible letters.

Illustrations

designers of 2022 are taking their inspiration from past pioneers of flat design, specifically the Ukiyo-e artists of Japan’s Edo Period. Ukiyo-e is a style of printed artwork (though it was sometimes painted) using hand-carved woodblocks. Using this technique allows for scenes in stylized flatness.

Simple line drawings are also going to be a standard in printmaking and overall graphic design. These meandering drawings are intensely personal, and the designers of 2022 are injecting their professional work with a bit of their own abstract mindscape.

Doing so can bridge the gap between digital tools and a human touch, creating designs that are approachable.

Collage Design

The collage is almost like the anti-design, as it’s past has notoriously been a signal of low-budget and grungy.

Most notably, this grunge-type print has a physical presence through analog elements such as tape, torn pages and scribbled handwriting - rebelling against the clean, flat graphics of the digital age.

This design style adds more personality and more energy and movement to poster artwork, tickets, and flyers.

By Nejc Prah via nejcprah.com

Bubble Design

Much like puff prints on apparel, bubble design is everywhere. Bubble shapes have an undeniably positive effect, as circles often convey friendliness and levity due to their lack of corners. But unlike the typical bubble fonts and shapes (which often find their way onto products aimed at children), this 2022 trend revels in exaggeration through elongated forms and psychedelic colors which give it a little more grown-up feel.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

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Printing on Athletic Apparel

Athletic and athleisure wear has become more and more popular over recent years, not only because of a more health conscious population but because these types of apparel provides more comfort when going through our day-to-day activities. In this article we’ll take you through the advantages of creating athletic merch for your brand and the challenges that come with printing on this type of material.

What is Athletic wear?

Athletic wear refers to clothing that allows for maximum flexibility and comfort when performing a sport or when working out at a gym. Athletic wear is made up of ultra breathable and moisture wicking fibers to help release sweat outwards which evaporates into the atmosphere. It keeps the body cool in heat and warm in cold.

The Benefits of Moisture-Wicking Fabric in Your Workout Clothes

What is Athleisure Wear?

Athleisure wear is a more common type of fashionable casual and comfortable clothing such as tights or leggings and lightweight tops to keep skin cool while doing every-day activities, walking, or non competitive sports. This type of clothing was born out of the necessity to be comfortable while performing daily activities. It lies at the intersection of activewear and traditional sportswear that was meant as recreational wear designed for daytime or leisure activity.

Read more about What is the Difference Between Athletic wear and Athleisure wear?

How is Printing Done on Athletic Wear?

There are a few ways to print on athletic or athleisure wear that depend on the type of fabrics used to make the garments. Some fabric are easier to work with than others but there is always a way.

We’ll recommend the most common ways we recommend to print on athletic wear or athleisure wear with Pros and Cons.

Design

Because of the nature of athletic fabrics, keeping a design simple can be beneficial if you’re looking to have prints such as your logo or letters. Many brand such as Nike have a simple logo that they can print using a heat press and that also keeps the costs down.

Inks

Ink production technology has kept up with the athletic fabric trend, and there are inks out there that are formulated to address the challenges of printing on synthetic jersey fabrics. If you’re looking to screen print your design, look for low-bleed inks that cure at lower temperatures for longer times. These are made specifically to lessen the effects of dye migration.

Consider Flexibility

Most athletic fabrics have a specific amount of stretch that may make screen printing difficult or not as durable as other print methods. Once you have found the garment, check the material it is made with, that information will dictate which print method is best for your apparel.

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Recommended

PRINT METHODS:

DTG or Direct To Garment Printing

DTG printing method uses a printer with textile inks which allows for faster and low cost production. While this option is the more cost-effective, it is also the lowest quality. This type of textile ink is not durable and depending on the material you are printing on it may look dull and cheap. Additionally, printing on dark clothing using this method is not recommended.

PROS

• Low Setup Costs

CONS

• Low Resolution

• Not Durable

• Not Good For Dark Fabrics

Sublimation Printing

Sublimation is one of the most durable methods you can use if you are printing on polyester fabrics. This method requires applying a liquid dye unto the garment until it has solidified, then heat is applied to then evaporate the solid matter leaving the dye perfectly printed into every thread. This is why this method provides long-lasting quality.

PROS

• Durable

• Creative Freedom to Use Wide Range of Colors and Patterns

CONS

• Limited To Polyester Fabrics

Heat Press Printing

Heat press is the type of printing that is most often used in athletic gear for smaller logos and labels. Heat press uses a specific type of paper that is applied directly unto the garment and then it is pressed using a press. This type of printing is used by brand such as Nike and Adidas. This method has a very sharp and clean look to it.

PRO

• Low Setup Cost

• Sharp Print

CONS

• Quality Control - If done incorrectly, print can easily peel off

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CONCLUSION

If you’d like to print your logo or a smaller design unto a breathable material we suggest to go with heat press printing, this method will result in the most clear print with perfect lines and it’s one of the most affordable options.

If you’d like to have the entire garment printed with an intricate design, we suggest to print using the sublimation method. Sublimation is highly durable and gives you freedom when it comes to colors and design, however, you’re limited to polyester fabrics only.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

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Finishes That Take Your Brand To The Next Level

Custom finishes can be the thing that sets your brand apart from your competition. These customizations can range from small and simple to being a little more involved and a bit more expensive. We think that investing in details is the best way to take your brand to the next level. In this article, we will go through all of the custom finishes available as well as comparisons and options for smaller budgets.

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What Are Apparel Finishes?

Custom apparel finishes are collar tags, interior tags, screen printed logos inside the garments, price tags, as well as packaging. Most of what apparel finishes refer to are markers withing the garment that shows off your brand’s logo and other brand characteristics.

Check Out A Guide To Branding

Examples of Custom Finishes:

• Neck Tags

• Custom Woven Tags

• Fold & Bag

• Sticker Application

• Brand Info Tags (hanging tags)

Why are apparel finishes important?

Creating a brand new tag on your shirt is an excellent way to promote a business’s brand. Imagine including your logo on every tag knowing that everyone will check to see the size. Customizing the tag allows everyone to see your logo and details about your business in a unique and effective way.

Every piece of clothing comes with a tag already printed and it is usually on the back of the neck. The tag’s purpose is to provide the wearer with all the relevant information they need to know about the garment. But imagine replacing all that with your company’s logo, brand, and info. This can build brand loyalty.

Check out Guide To Product Packaging & Labeling

Neck Tags

Neck tags or collar tags are the most common types of apparel finishes. Neck tags can either be woven or printed directly unto the garment.

Woven tags are a little more involved as these are separate pieces that need to be sown unto the garment, therefore, adding more steps to your finishing services. However, tags look more professional and you have more freedom to add color.

Printed tags are done directly unto the garment, these types of tags are easier and can be more cost-effective depending on the amount of units you or your local screen printing shop are producing. This type of finish is typically done in a single color, which is recommended to ensure a good rate from your screen printer.

If you are looking to place a tag on the sleeve or the bottom hem, woven tags will be your only option. These placements can make a big difference when done right, this is usually a premium service that is provided by a merchandise agency such as Family Industries.

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Hanging Tags

When you add hang tagging to your custom apparel, it gives your garment a professional look that is ready for retail. All you need to provide is the info for the hang tagging and where you want to place it, then a merch agency such as Family Industries will take over the rest.

Hanging tags are generally applied to hi-end apparel and allows for you to include more information about your brand such as your mission statement, your logo, and any other branding elements. As a merch agency, we supply and print all custom tags in-house, as well as apply the tags to your apparel.

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Packaging & More

Personalized packaging such as poly bags or box tape can also elevate your brand presentation. Little details can go a long way when presenting your product. These types of finishing services can be an added bonus when deciding to invest in your business.

As a merch agency, we always recommend adding your logo to the package either by stickers or printed unto whatever the surface may be such as a box or tape.

Stickers are the cheapest option if you are on a budget and adding more to the bag is also a good way to get your brand in front of other people and most customers like these details.

Check out Classy Ways to Use Stickers on Your Packaging

For a more economical way to add a personal touch, you can invest in a stamp of your logo. A stamp can be used in just about any surface which makes it easy to brand your packaging such as shipping boxes, tape, and packing paper or poly bags.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

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Do you have more questions about premium merch printing?

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com, or give us a call at 323.227.1547 and we'd be happy to help.

Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.

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Art & Healing with Rachel Howe of Small Spells

Photo by Chloe Jarnac

Continuing our series for Women’s History Month, we interviewed Rachel Howe. Rachel is the brain and talent behind @SmallSpells, a multi-dimensional brand, joining healing and the arts. We chat with Rachel about her process and about how she approached her unique business idea.

Illustrations for horoscope playlists on Spotify by Small Spells and curated by astrologer Chani Nicholas

Who is Rachel Howe?

Rachel is a Los Angeles-based illustrator, reiki healer, stick and poke tattoo artist, a potter, a tarot card reader, and a writer - she is basically the definition of creativity.

Rachel created her brand Small Spells by channeling her many talents and healing work into one creative output. Her work is oftentimes all-encompassing by creating visuals for her writing and vice versa. Her passion for creating art is incessant and the driving force behind her successful business.

Small Spells offers a variety of services which include, tarot readings and healing, Reiki sessions, stick and poke tattoo as well as workshops centered around tarot card reading. Her illustration work has been featured on the Spotify platform and other collaborations with both physical and virtual publications as well as collaborations with clothing and jewelry brands.

Zodiac illustrations by Small Spells for jewelry brand Venyx World

Rache’s Background

Rachel is originally from New Jersey but spent most of the life in New York City after she attended college at Parsons School of Design where she studied Fine Arts with a focus on drawing. While she attended Parsons and after she attended college, she worked within the fine art world at galleries and for art dealers around NYC, at which point she began to feel discouraged by the business of fine art. She then decided to focus on carving her own path by creating functional products, and that is how she began making ceramic pieces. During this time, she was able to quit her job and focused on pottery full-time.

As her schedule became more flexible, Rachel took an interest in Astrology and healing modalities which led her to energy work such as Reiki. This is when she began learning techniques to channel energy for healing purposes. Shortly thereafter she began learning tarot card reading and started proving energy healing sessions. Rachel quickly and serendipitously began to gain momentum on social media and began posting horoscope-related content along with her ceramics which is what lead her to other opportunities such as creating her own tarot card deck and working with other brands.

“drawing on the imagery of cartoons, tattoos, handmade illustrations and low-fi graphic design, I’ve found a voice that is both accessible and aspirational. Whether through energy work, a hand-poked tattoo, or a t-shirt, the aim is always to lift up those around me, to raise the level of communication and self-awareness, and to enable personal healing and growth to occur.”

— Rachel Howe, Small Spells

Sticker for “The Bumper Sticker Show” by Small Spells

10 Questions with Rachel Howe

Small Spells is such a unique and dynamic concept that it has caught the attention of many publications and other businesses looking to collaborate with artists. We asked Rachel about what inspires her and how she combines her healing work with her art.

Q: What inspires you to make art?

Rachel: I've always made art since I was a child. I am a visual person, and an emotional person and art to me is a way to translate feelings into something that can visually express those felt emotions, so they can be shared with others. I love looking at all kinds of art, craft, and design for inspiration, and even more when they are combined in unconventional ways. I especially love drawing, as I feel it's something everyone can do in an interesting way, and it's the most direct expression from the brain to the hand.

Q: Is there a woman in history or in your life that has had an influence on your art?

Rachel: I don't know if there is one woman I can name, but I am definitely inspired by all the women I know who make things, design things, or have a small business. Actually, my high school photography teacher, who was also a family friend, was pretty influential on me when I was younger. She was very head-strong, committed to her documentary photography work, and always reminded me that being interesting was more important than being popular.

Q: How did you come up with the concept for your business/brand?

Rachel: My brand came about pretty organically, I didn't really set out to have a business. So much of how I run my business was learned on the fly. And it has kept evolving over time. But, I guess I did have an idea that I wanted to do things my way, and I wanted to make things accessible, both in pricing and in my messaging. I actually came up with the name, Small Spells, before I even had a business!

Q: What do you hope to achieve with the work that you have not yet achieved?

Rachel: The work of mine that I consider most successful feels purposeful and functional, while still being visually interesting. I always want, especially with the more esoteric or spiritual work, to make things accessible and understandable to everyone. I like to create art that also teaches, or helps people. I want to keep making things that open people's minds, allow them to connect with themselves, and teach them new information. I have some future projects in mind that continue to combine illustrations and writings.

Q: What is the connection between your healing work and astrology?

Rachel: My approach to healing is really about self-understanding, and the healing that we can do for ourselves, once we have a fuller awareness of our whole being. So my work as a healer is to guide others to see themselves more clearly. Astrology has always been used as a tool to know oneself, even the parts that we can't see objectively on our own. Both the natal chart and daily horoscopes are used to gain insight into our natural tendencies, our desires and motivations, our blocks and wounds, and to learn how to work with them.

Q: What motivated you to begin printing your designs on apparel and creating your own Tarot cards?

Rachel: My business really started and took off when I was making ceramics. I got really into making functional objects out of clay, but it is very time-consuming and labor-intensive, and I wanted a quicker and easier way to get my work out into the world. I was having fun making drawings, and putting them on t-shirts was even more fun, especially when I would see people wearing them out in the neighborhood. As I returned more to drawing and illustration, and at the same time was learning much more about Tarot, I wanted to express my deepening knowledge by creating my own deck.

Q: What got you into stick & poke tattooing?

Rachel: There was a certain amount of freedom that I felt when I was making ceramics, and working for myself. I felt more like an artist and creator of my own style, more than when I was in art school or working in the art world. So, I had the flexibility and the desire to branch out into anything that felt interesting at the time. A friend taught me how to hand-poke tattoos, and for a while, I just tattooed myself, and my friends. It really sparked my love of drawing again, after taking a break from it to work with clay, and it felt exciting to work on other people's bodies, and have that personal interaction. I've been taking a break from tattooing during the pandemic, but I can't wait to get back to it.

Q: Did you always intend on Small Spells being such a dynamic brand concept?

Rachel: I didn't really intend for my brand to be any sort of way at the beginning! It really just coincided with my own personal development and healing in a way where I felt able to make things that reflected my own authentic interests, no matter how diverse they were. I feel really lucky that people who support my work followed me from ceramics to astrology, to tattoos, to illustrations and clothing, and anything else I got into creating.

Q: What was the inspiration behind writing your Healing & Self-Help book?

Rachel: This book is a kind of compilation and re-write of small essays that I would post on Instagram over the last few years. I felt they were meaningful writings, but had gotten lost in the void of past posts. I also had a large collection of drawings that I hadn't used for anything yet. So I collected everything together and assembled it into a cohesive book that could offer support for people on their own healing journeys. It came out the fall before the pandemic and quarantine happened, and I think it was good timing for it since people suddenly had a lot of time to read, think, and do some self-investigation and healing.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about collaborating with other brands?

Rachel: Most people I've collaborated with have been friends, people who I know and admire, and I feel connected to their work and the way they run their businesses. It's really fun when other people make interesting things, and then invite you into their process, like with the jewelry collection I made with Tuza. It's validating as an artist when people want to share their vision and work with you, and also humbling to learn more about materials and methods that others have mastered.

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Illustrations

Small Spells has been featured in publications related to Astrology and Horoscopes, and she has also done illustrations for jewelry designers such as Tuza Jewelry, and Venyx World as well as publications and event posters. Her minimal approach to illustrations makes her work recognizable and playful.

Illustration work can be applied to anything and can feel very authentic and personal, as opposed to graphic design which leans more towards commercial use. Illustrations are more of a fine art form, in the sense that the work embodies that artist’s sensibility and style.

Illustrations are a visual way to portray or illustrate a written text and it helps to explain an idea or tell a story by providing a sort of decoration to the piece. Illustrations come in many forms both traditional and digital; and just like graphic design, illustrations can be applied to clothing, posters, and branding.

““Graphic design’s ability to deliver explicit messages makes it a major (if little recognized) force in the modern world: it is embedded in the commercial infrastructure. Illustration, on the other hand, with its woolly ambiguity and its allusive ability to convey feeling and emotion, makes it too dangerous to be allowed to enter the corporate bloodstream.””

— Adrian Shaughnessy

Apparel, Tarot Cards & Books

When Rachel began doing tarot readings and workshops she decided to illustrate her own deck along with a guidebook, which took her over a year to complete.

Her creativity goes beyond her illustrations and healing work, as she has always been a writer and often times likes to combine the two art forms. Her writing had led her to create a book of short inter-connected essays on different aspects of healing and self-help, with related illustrations throughout. You can also see the same theme of lo-fi illustrations along with her writing on her apparel line.

Using simple illustrations for apparel has become more and more popular with the rise of tattoo culture. Rachel’s love for stick and poke tattoos helped her develop her illustration style and making apparel has been another way to channel her creativity.

Check out: How To Make a Fashion illustration in Adobe Illustrator

March 19, 2021 | Author: by Irene Floridia

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Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.