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    Perth's Complete Screen Printing Service

    Bold Vibrant Colour
    Crisp Graphics
    Superior Durability
    Speciality Inks

    Perth's Complete Screen Printing Service

    Crisp, Vibrant Graphics. Superior Durability. Speciality Inks. Aus-Wide Shipping.

    The Fabric Printer Specialises In Screen Printing T-Shirts and can replicate any design onto a garment.

    We can reproduce your image perfectly using the most modern machinery from international suppliers, high-quality screen printing inks, and our in-house artwork and separation team.

    Our techniques include:
    Spot Colour screen printing
    Specialty Ink Printing
    CMYK Process Screen Printing
    Simulated Process Screen Printing
    Index Screen Printing

    While our head office is in Perth, we can ship to any location Australia-wide.

    We also offer special effect inks and finishes that can elevate your brand's identity. Our automated equipment allows us to print over 800 units per hour.

    No job is too large for The Fabric Printer, making us the preferred custom screen printer for some of Australia's largest brands, Festivals, Brewers, Gyms, events, and businesses.

     

    The Fabric Printer specializes in Screen printing t-shirts and can replicate any design onto a garment.

    We can reproduce your image perfectly using the most modern machinery from international suppliers, high-quality screen printing inks, and our in-house artwork and separation team.

    Our techniques include:
    Spot colour screen printing
    Specialty Ink Printing
    CMYK process screen printing
    Simulated process screen printing
    Index screen printing

    While our head office is in Perth, we can ship to any location Australia-wide.

    We also offer special effect inks and finishes that can elevate your brand's identity. Our automated equipment allows us to print over 800 units per hour.

    So, no job is too large for The Fabric Printer, making us the preferred custom screen printer for some of Australia's largest brands, Festivals, Brewers, Gyms, cafes, and businesses.

    Spot Colour Printing

    Spot colour screen printing allows for precise control over each colour in the design, resulting in vibrant, opaque colours that match specific Pantone shades (PMS). It is ideal for designs that require exact colour matching or bold, solid colours.

    A close up image of a spot colour screen printed design of a hammerhead shark in blue, aquamarine, light grey and white with yellow, army green, and black distressed textured background and line detail in white and aqua in the foreground representing rippling water.
    A spot colour screen printed cartoon on a white shirt, of a naked flesh tone man wearing pink sunglasses being piggy backed a giant smiling blue rocky ridge beer can by the artist david the robot. The man is holding up the shaka sign with his right hand, has mane tattoed in yellow on his side, a spiderweb tattor on his knee and is farting a green cloud behind.
    A spot colour screen print design of an owls head inside a decorative filigree diamond frame on a distressed grey shirt. The owls feathers are predominantly aqua marine with white highlights, grey shadows, and black detailing. The beak and eyes have been printed in two bright oranges to give a popping contrast effect.

    • Spot Colour Printing Benefits

    • Precise colour matching ensures consistent branding.
    • Exceptional clarity and vibrancy for eye-catching designs.
    • Cost-effective for smaller and large print runs.
    • Matte and semigloss finish available.
    • Water-based eco-friendly ink options.
    A PMS spot colour screen printed stylized design by the artist kentaro for beerfarm shown on a folded cream tshirt and in a close up of a man surfing a giant red and orange wave with white foam and decorative green seaweed detail. The 6 pantone colours used for the print are shown below on correpsonding coloured circles. Black, pantone cool gray 9c, pantone 4014c, pantone 4053c, pantone 156c, pantone 7403c.

    The process begins with creating the design for printing onto your garment. Designs are typically created digitally using software like Adobe Illustrator. Each colour in the design is separated into layers, creating a separate screen for printing each colour. This separation is crucial for screen printing, allowing for precise colour registration.

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    Once the design is separated into individual colours, the next step is to create screen printing frames for each colour. Screens are then placed into our digital imaging machine, where each colour channel is printed onto the mesh, blocking out the areas where the ink will pass through. The screen is then exposed to UV light that hardens the emulsion, allowing the design to set onto the screen's mesh. From there, the screen is registered, and inks are added to our automatic screen printing press, where the magic happens.

    Once the printing is complete, the ink is cured using heat to ensure durability. This process involves passing the garment through our conveyor dryer and applying heat to the printed area.

    Overall, spot colour screen printing offers a versatile and effective method for decorating garments with vibrant, opaque colours. With careful attention to detail and precise colour registration, it produces visually striking results that are durable enough to withstand repeated washing and wearing.

    Specialty Ink Printing

    Garment printing with Special Effects Inks involves the application of unique and innovative ink formulations to create eye-catching and tactile effects on clothing. These effects go beyond standard printing methods, adding texture, shine, shimmer or other distinctive qualities to the design.

    Printing with Special Effects Inks offers endless possibilities for creation and customization. It allows designers to add unique touches and enhance the visual appeal of their designs. These innovative inks can transform ordinary garments into statement pieces, making them stand out in a crowded marketplace.

    UV BLACK LIGHT CLEAR COAT

    This clear coat is practically invisible under normal light but will illuminate under UV blacklight. You can apply this ink as a top coat over standard and neon inks to create a brilliant glow or print directly onto garments to hide secret messages and designs that will be revealed under black light.

    GLOW IN THE DARK

    • This type of ink contains luminous pigments that absorb light during the day and emit it in low-light conditions, creating a glowing effect. It's often used for designs intended to stand out in dark environments or for novelty apparel.
    •  

    FLUROESCENT NEON INK

    • Neon Textile Ink brings vibrance colour to t-shirt printing, offering a spectrum of bold, fluorescent colours. It can be added to spot colour designs, creating an eye-catching effect and illuminate under black UV lights.
    •  

    PUFF INK

    • Puff ink contains a foaming agent that expands when heat exposure creates a raised, three-dimensional effect on the printed surface. It adds texture and depth to the design, making it visually appealing and tactile.
    •  

    METALLIC INKS

    • Metallic inks contain reflective particles that create a metallic sheen when printed onto garments. They add a touch of elegance and sparkle to designs, mimicking the appearance of metallic surfaces like gold, silver, or bronze.

    GLITTER INK

    • Glitter ink contains fine glitter particles suspended in transparent ink, creating a sparkling effect when printed onto fabric or over the desired base print colour like pink. It adds shimmer and glamour to designs, making them stand out and catch the light.
    •  
    A side by side comparison illustrating the effects of UV Black Light Clear Coat Ink showing a screenprinted 5 colour design in natural light on the left, and glowing under black light on the right. The design features a stylized illustration of the face and headdress of Maman Brijit is a death loa in Haitian Vodou. The colours used are neon red, neon yellow, with ultramarine blue printed on and off base creating two blue shades from one colour..
    A close up of specialty puff ink screen print of the word GOOSE in white on a light blue shirt. There is a white cartoon duck with his arms crossed and an orange beak and legs, wearing black high top sneakers leaning against the raised texture letter E
    A side by side comparison of a one colour screen print featuring areas coated with glow in the dark ink illuminated with a green glow in darkness. The designshows a raccoon running from the beam of a ufo with a tall alien figure creeping up behind.

    • Specialty Ink Benefits

    • Enhances visual appeal and adds depth to designs.
    • Creates memorable and attention-grabbing apparel.
    • Offers creative flexibility for unique customization.
    • Elevates your branded merchandise.

    CMYK Screen Printing

    CMYK screen printing for garments is a method for producing full-colour designs on apparel. Combining cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks allows for reproducing intricate details, gradients, and multicoloured artwork. Ideal for T-shirts, hoodies, and other garments, CMYK printing offers exceptional colour accuracy and durability, making it a popular choice for businesses and individuals seeking high-quality custom apparel.

    Close up detail of a full colour CMYK screen printed design of a skull surrounded by decorative flowers and leaves. The predominantly white and grey skull is shown cropped and inverted surrounded by sections of flowers and leaves. The artwork has been illustrated in a realism style with detailed shading and gradients creating a dimension and depth.
    CMYK process screen print of an illustrated postcard on a red tshirt for 'chicken treat' promotional merchandise. The artwork depicts the cartoon chicken mascot wearing green hawaiian shorts, surfing a realism style illsurtated barrel wave. The colours gradiate from dark greens, aqua, to ultramarine, cyan blues and white highlights in the whitewater spray. The top right corner features a decorative logo stamp with the words 'ALOHA HAWAII' and dark black 'Airmail' stamp.
    CMYK process screen print of a side profile photo of four girls in bathing suits carrying a yellow kayak over their heads accross a beach, with a subtle background glow casting shadows of the girls and kayak in the foreground. The image has a vintage photography style filter with subtle grain and green and yellow stains & textures.

    • CMYK Process Benefits

    • Full-color brilliance for stunning visual impact.
    • Captures intricate details and subtle colour variations.
    • Spot Colours can be added to CMYK printing.
    • Cost-effective solution for full-colour printing.
    CMYK process screen printed design screen printed design of a skull surrounded by decorative flowers and leaves on a black shirt shown as a digital mockup on a computer screen next to a finished print on a black tshirt. The predominantly white and grey skull is shown cropped and inverted surrounded by sections of flowers and leaves. The artwork has been illustrated in a realism style with detailed shading and gradients creating a dimension and depth. The colours used to create the print are shown below on corresponding coloured circles. Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, K for Black, and an additional spot colour of white.

    CMYK printing, also known as four-colour process printing, reproduces a wide range of colours on garments. It involves mixing four base colours: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black) to create a spectrum of colours. Each colour is applied in tiny dots, which combine optically to produce a full-colour image.

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    Here's a detailed breakdown of the CMYK process:

    • Cyan (C): Cyan is a blue-green colour that forms the base for producing blues, greens, and shades of grey in the final print. It absorbs red light and reflects blue and green light.
    • Magenta (M): Magenta is a pinkish-purple colour used to create reds, purples, and some shades of grey. It absorbs green light and reflects red and blue light.
    • Yellow (Y): Yellow is a primary colour crucial for creating a wide range of hues, including oranges, greens, and browns. It absorbs blue light and reflects red and green light.
    • Black (K): Black adds depth and contrast to the print. It enhances details, provides shadowing, and creates black highlights.

    THE PROCESS.....

    Simulated Process Printing

    Simulated process screen printing replicates full-colour images using spot-colour halftones and is suitable for intricate illustrations, portraits, and photographic designs. It offers a larger colour gamut than CMYK printing, with improved Skin tones and proper greys. This process uses around 6 to 11 colours to achieve outstanding results.

    A lifelike detail simulated process screen print of a greyscale photo of the singer and artist 'Bjork' holding her hands in prayer position against her mouth. She is wearing a fluffy knitted sweater with the visible whisps of wool illustrating the subtle detail achieved with simulation process. The image shows high definition image graduation from the pure black of Bjork's hair and pupils to the highlights on her fingertips created by the absenece of print allowing the blank white shirt to show through.
    A simulated process screen print on a white shirt showing the use of halftones and blending to reproduce stunning detail and depth of a surrealist style artwork that features an etherial humanoid character blending into naturalistic elements and sprouting plantlike tendrils. The colours range features predominantly oranges and reds, with shading of shadow areas on the face in dark green torquoise tones and white highlights. There are geometric decorative character style elements above the creature that include an additional pink spot colour and decorative floral character style text elements below.
    A simulation process screen print on a black t-shirt for the 2024 'WWE Elimination Chamber' event merchandise, behind held up in the factory with a small section of the screenp printing machine arm visible indicating the shirt has just come off the press. The print shows the WWE logo with a bright blue detail line above bold Elimination Chamber white text with a subtle blue keyline, and a heavily distressed grunge style white graphic of the fighting cage and scaffolding above the words Perth Western Australia in white and blue keyline, and 2024 printed in bright yellow below. Either side of the cage is stadium lighting depicted as solid white centres with a yellow and blue outer glow effect and spotlighting created with layered halftone graduation of colour. Sections of orange grunge texture colour highlights have been added at the base and top of the graphic.

    • Simulated Process Printing Benefits

    • Captures every nuance and subtlety of designs.
    • Replicates photographic images with stunning realism.
    • Provides high-definition prints for exceptional impact.
    • Creates image depth.
    A close-up of a simulated process screen print on a white shirt showing the use of halftones and blending to reproduce stunning detail and depth of a surrealist style artwork that features an etherial humanoid characters head blending into naturalistic elements and sprouting plantlike tendrils from her head, and exagerated long eyelashes. The colours range features predominantly oranges and reds, with shading of shadow areas on the face in dark green torquoise tones and white highlights. Below the image is 11 circles showing a range of round halftone dot spacing densities from nearly pure white at 1% up to 100% density of pure black.

    Simulated Process screen printing is a technique to reproduce vibrant, high-resolution designs on T-shirts and other garments. Unlike traditional spot colour printing, which uses limited ink colours, simulated process printing utilizes a combination of halftones and blends ink colours to create the illusion of a full-colour spectrum.

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    The original design is separated into colour channels, typically six or more colours, each representing a specific ink colour. These colour channels are then converted into halftone images, where continuous tones are translated into a series of dots of varying size and spacing. These dots' density and arrangement determine the final printed image's perceived colour and tone.

    Screens are prepared for each colour channel; the halftone image is burnt onto them using a photosensitive emulsion. The T-shirts are loaded onto our automatic screen print press, and each screen is aligned using our pre-registration system. Ink is applied to each screen, and a squeegee pushes the ink through the mesh and onto the fabric below. This process is repeated for each colour channel, with the overlapping halftone dots creating the illusion of a full-colour image.

    Simulated process screen printing offers several advantages for T-shirt printing, including vibrant colours, high resolution, and the ability to reproduce complex designs precisely. It's a popular choice for large-scale apparel printing projects with detailed images. It allows designers to create eye-catching and visually stunning garments that stand out from the crowd.

    Index Screen Printing

    Index screen printing uses a limited number of spot colors with a square dot, to create vintage-inspired designs with a distressed effect, perfect for achieving a retro look or "band tee"-style graphics.

    Close up detail of 9 colour Index screen printed design of a fantasy style knight by the artist 'All Things Rotten' showing the technique of high / low tones achieved by printing on and off base. The knight's armour is predominantly dark blue and grey with white and yellow highlights, and shadowed areas of armour feature the dark blue pantone 534C printed off base creating the visual effect of an additional colour and increasing the effect of image graduation and depth.
    An index screen print of a photograph of a wooden dinosaur skeleton set on fire. The dinosaur is facing left with bright glowing bright white and yellow flames coming off the skull, and creating dramatic backlit lighting effect on the dinosaur's upper body silhouette
    A detailed close up crop of an index screen printed distressed style band tshirt graphic. The image shows a biomechanical steam punk style clock with a human face surroudned with small skulls, and various mechanical and medical eqiupment elements intertwined with dissected human parts. The grungy distrssed texture is acheived with grey, blue, and brown tones and blends both on and off base, and white highlight areas.

    • Index Screen Printing Benefits

    • Adds character and authenticity to designs.
    • Creates a vintage look and feel with worn effects.
    • Ideal for capturing nostalgia and evoking emotions.
    • Creates two colours from one screen with high/low tones.
    • Better Colour Control.
    9 colour Index screen printed design of a fantasy style knight with long beard pointing a giant sci-fi style gun, by the artist 'All Things Rotten' for album Full Force - by the metal band Silent Knight. The knight's sci-fi style armour is predominantly dark blue and grey with white highlights and orange / yellow reflections creating a chrome effect to mimic metal. The background is a blend of smokey graduations of dark blue, deep ochre red and orange with distressed texture communicating an apocolyptic setting. The band name 'Silent Knight' is printed at the top of the design in yellow gothic style font and album name 'Full Force' is printed in yellow at the bottom. The 9 colours used to create the print are shown below on corresponding coloured circles. White, Pantone 166c, Pantone 151c, Pantone 534c, Pantone 7512c, Pantone 180c, Pantone 485c, Pantone 102c.
    Close up detail of the digital file for index screen printing showing the 9 colour composition break down into small squares of a section of a knights armour by the artist 'All Things Rotten'. At the top left area of the image a section that of yellow and orange shows that no space between small squares of orange creates solid bright areas of colour, and graduating density and spacing of yellow dots through this section creates the effect of glowing light.

    Also known as index colour printing, index screen printing is a method used to reproduce vibrant and detailed designs on T-shirts and other garments. This technique is similar to simulated process printing but involves a different approach to color separation and printing.

    A comparative close up image showing halftone process vs index process for preparing artwork for screenprinting. The left image shows a close up of a section of an eye in the halftone method of round black dots with varying spacing and the right image shows the same section of an eye depicted with square dots with varying spacing for the Index printing method.

    In index screen printing, the original design is separated into individual color channels, each representing a specific ink color. Unlike simulated process printing, which uses halftone dots to create the illusion of continuous tones, index screen printing relies on solid square pixels of color, known as color indices. Each color index is assigned a specific ink color, and the design is printed using a series of screens, each containing one of the designated ink colors. This allows you to create two colours from one using an on and off base technique, known as high and low tones. Effectively doubling the number of colours visually seen.

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    Screens are prepared for each colour index using a photosensitive emulsion, and the T-shirt is placed onto a printing pallet. Each screen is aligned precisely to the other; then, ink is applied to the corresponding area of the design using a squeegee. This process is repeated for each colour index, with the overlapping colours creating the final full-colour image.

    Index screen printing offers several advantages, including precise colour reproduction, consistent colour intensity, and the ability to create vibrant and detailed designs. It's a popular choice for larger-scale apparel printing projects, providing designers with a versatile and persuasive method for creating eye-catching and visually stunning garments.

    Why Choose Screen Printing For Your T-Shirts Or Apparel?

    Superior Durability

    Screen printing offers unmatched durability, ensuring your designs withstand multiple washes and wear, maintaining their vibrant colours and crisp details over time

    Garment Versatility

    Whether cotton, polyester, or blends, screen printing adapts seamlessly to a wide range of fabrics, providing consistent results with high-quality prints.

    Cost Effective for Bulk Orders

    Screen printing becomes more cost-effective as the order quantity increases, making it the ideal choice for large-scale productions without compromising quality.

    Vibrant and Detailed Prints

    With its ability to lay down thin or thick layers of ink, screen printing delivers bold and intricate designs with vibrant colours and fine details, making your apparel stand out.

    Specialty Inks and Finishes

    Elevate your brand Identity with extensive customisation options like Special Effect Inks and multiple finishing options like matte, semigloss, and soft touch.

    Accurate Colour Matching

    Using a Pantone (PMS) colour matching system, we can mix and match over 1200 different colours to ensure your apparel captures your corporate colours and tone.

    Eco-Friendly Practices

    Eco-friendly practices like our screen reclaiming system, film-free screen imaging, water-based ink options and environmentally-conscious production methods align with our sustainability goals.

    Long-Term Investment

    Due to the durability and soundness of the process, screen printing is a long-term investment, providing value for money for both your business and customers as your custom apparel continues to look great over time.

    Trusted by Professionals

    Screen printing has been a trusted printing method in the industry for decades, favoured by big brands & professionals for its reliability, versatility, and ability to produce consistent, high-quality results every time

    Screen Printing FAQs

    How much does screen printing cost?

    The cost of screen printing is based on four factors:

    • The total number of garments to be printed
    • The method of screen printing process used
    • The number of colours required per print
    • The number of print locations required per garment – e.g. front only, front and back.

    Once your custom design is finalised and the screen created, you can print any number of garments over the minimum 20-item order. With our quantity discounts, the more you print, the lower the cost per item will be. Should you want to rerun the same design at a later date, your screen print will be available — there are no charges to store your design and no set-up fees to do it again. All you pay is the cost of your printed garments.

    What items can be screen printed?

    The choice of fabric plays a vital role in the quality of your printed product. The majority of our garments are quality cotton-based products responsibly sourced via AS Colour. We offer an extensive selection of garment styles perfect for screen printing from a range of quality brands, chosen for their suitability relative to ink reaction and curing process. If we aren't able to source the particular garment type you are seeking, we do permit you to supply your own on a case-by-case basis. But remember, cheaper fabrics can be subject to shrinking, which can ruin your design. Browse our range of garments.

    Why choose professional screen printers?

    If you require a bulk order of t-shirts, a professional screen printer will be able to deliver the most cost-effective solution in the shortest amount of time. At The Fabric Printer, quantity goes hand in hand with quality. Even when our machines are running a peak capacity of 800 units per hour – each garment is as perfect as the next. We are proud to be the go-to printer for many of Perth's largest events, including the City to Surf, HBF Run for a Reason and Fringe World Festival.

    How long does screen printing last?

    Compared with other methods of garment printing, screen printed images will generally outlast the shirt they're printed on. The Fabric Printer uses specialist eco-friendly inks where possible and implements a thorough curing process to ensure your design won't fade. The life of your print can also depend on the material of the garment. Our stock is specifically chosen to keep your design looking fresh and full of colour even after multiple washes (provided the correct washing instructions are followed).

    What is the turnaround time for screen printing?

    The standard turnaround time for screen printing jobs is 7 to 21 standard working days, depending on our production levels, stock availability and the time of the year (high season). We understand that there may be occasions where a rush job is required, and we are happy to accommodate you wherever possible - we carry large amounts of stock on hand for this very reason. Just be aware that there may just be a small additional cost to meet tight timelines. For this service, call our team, and we'll provide an accurate quote and delivery date.

    What are the artwork requirements for screen printing?

    Preferred File Types

    Vector, .PDF, .EPS, .AI, or .PSD

    Acceptable File Types

    Raster (300dpi preferably), .BMP, .TIF, .JPEG, or .PNG

    Colour Limit

    Maxiumum of 11 print colours.

    Colour Matching

    Colours are matched to the PMS Pantone Coated Colour Book.

    Maximum Print Size

    Garments: 400mm x 465mm
    Tea Towels: 480mm x 565mm

    Please refer to our detailed Art Work Specifications Page for the preferred file formats and artwork setup for each printing method.