Apparel manufacturers switch to printed garment tags because they can reduce labeling costs, speed up production, improve garment comfort, and eliminate the inventory and waste associated with sewn-in or heat transfer labels. Learn more about the benefits of tag printing machines for clothes.
A pad printing machine utilizes a silicone pad to pick up ink from an etched plate (cliché) and transfer it to the part. Unlike screen printing or heat transfer for garment labels, pad printing lays down a thin layer of ink, effectively embedding the print into the garment fibers leaving the print soft to the touch.
The process begins with the etched plate mounted onto the pad printing machine. An ink-filled cup slides over the plate, leaving ink only in the etched area while removing (“doctoring”) excess ink from the rest of the plate. Next, the silicone print pad is pressed onto the etched plate, picking up the ink. The pad then moves over the part and is pressed onto the garment, transferring the image with precise, even pressure.
Video: Demonstration of tagless printing technology
Check out the ultimate guide to pad printing to learn more!Laser platemaking gives the apparel manfacturers flexibility to create and adjust garments or footwear tags on-demand. With this technology, there’s no more waiting for heat transfer labels to arrive or photopolymer plates to cure. Users are able to convert a digital image into an etched plate (also called a cliché) within minutes and begin printing the new graphics right away.
Video: Watch how a laser platemaker etches a plated
Check out our full line of Laser Plate-MakersHeat transfer clothing labels can create a tagless look, but they often require the use of more equipment (including a printer and a heat press) which also increases energy consumption. Once the label is applied to the right location, its backing is discarded, creating more waste, and not a sustainable solution.
Heat transfer clothing labels also sit on top of the fabric. Over time, they can crack and distort if bent, stretched, or washed r repeatedly. For manufacturers that need lower cost, less waste and a softer label feel, printed garment tags can be a better long-term option.
Tagless Label Printing suits most garment and footwear applications. Pad printed labels will withstand 50 industrial washes on such fabrics as:
Printed garment tags are commonly used for t-shirts, underwear, performance wear, intimate apparel, outerwear, footwear, and other apparel products.
Check out all our applicationsWe have over 30 offices globally that can assist in switching to tagless garment tags. Contact us to speak to an apparel printing professional.
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