There’s no hiding it — camo has enjoyed a surge in popularity, as we discussed in a recent blog post. Camo’s rebellious, versatile patterns stamp the identity of outdoor enthusiasts and also toss a nod to cutting-edge fashion. In our industry, decorating on camo is a hot trend, but it does present a few challenges that savvy screenprinters need to know about.
We asked the experts at Stahls’, an industry leader in heat applied materials and equipment, for the skinny on best practices. You’ll want to ensure lettering and designs stand out against camo’s brash patterns. Plus, learn how to prevent issues such as bleeding.
Josh Ellsworth, General Manager at Stahls’, and his team generously offered up some insider tips and tricks for optimum decorating on camo canvas.
Choose the Right Heat Transfer Color
The woodland camo pattern creates a rustic look that outdoor enthusiasts love. When choosing a heat transfer color for this popular pattern, the key is to select a print color that will stand out against the busy background.
Adding a white outline to the outside of the logo will give the best contrast and help the graphic pop off the garment. Neon colors such as neon pink and neon orange can create graphics that stand out, and other outdoor and hunter favorites such as orange and yellow complement camo patterns.
Guarding Against Dye-Migration
When items are printed with a pattern, such as the camo shirts, there is a risk of dye-migration occurring. Dye-migration happens when the camouflage print migrates through the transfer. This challenge is most commonly noticed on polyester garments that have been placed under the high heat of a heat press or dryer. This happens when fibers in the polyester fabrics open up and unstable dyes are released and bleed through the transfers. Here are two tips to prevent against dye-migration with your heat press:
- Choose a Heat Transfer with a Dye-Blocker
The first solution to this issue is using materials that are thicker or offer a dye-blocking adhesive such as CAD-CUT® Thermo-FILM® Heat Transfer Vinyl or SuperTEK Sublistop Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl. These materials can help to block the dyes from bleeding through the transfer. - Use a Heat Transfer with a Low Temperature
Using a heat transfer that applies at a lower temperature — such as 280 degrees — will help to reduce the risk of dye-migration at the heat press.
Popular Heat Transfer Styles for Camo
- CAD-CUT Heat Transfer Vinyl
Heat transfer vinyl is perfect for creating 1-2 color graphics onto your camo items. When printing onto polyester, Thermo-FILM heat transfer vinyl is recommended to block the dyes from bleeding through. This material is also abrasion resistant, making it perfect for customizing camo bags for the outdoors.For soft, lightweight camo t-shirts, Fashion Film will deliver a soft, matte finish. This material comes in a variety of colors including neon shades that will help make the logo stand out. - Screenprinted Transfers
When printing onto polyester, low temperature transfers like Elastiprints help to reduce dye-migration or the garment scorching.For soft, lightweight t-shirts, Goof Proof screenprinted transfers will deliver a soft screenprinted finish with great opacity. - Digital Transfers
If printing multi-color logos, SuperTEK Sublistop digital heat transfer material works perfect to block dye-migration on polyester garments. Use a white outline around the logo to make it stand out on the camo print.
When searching for ideas about decoration and design, Stahls’ recommends suggesting company logos, personalization with monograms, white text and neon orange and neon pink prints. Choosing the right decoration technique with care ensures camo never “hides” the message!
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