What an event that was!! We’re pumped to announce that we had an unforgettable experience at this year’s Impressions Expo in Long Beach, and now we’re bringing the event to you! No worries if you couldn’t make it out, we have plenty of experiences to share so you’ll feel like you were there!
At our booth, we got a close look at discharge printing, a method that removes the original dye from a shirt and replaces it with new color. This process creates soft, breathable prints that won’t crack or peel over time.
By adding pigments, discharge prints can achieve bold colors beyond the usual faded “Guinness black and tan” effect. A cool trick is to mix plastisol ink with discharge to get a water-based feel while using inks you already have. Special effects like sprayed discharge or reverse tie-dye on black shirts can create unique, eye-catching designs.
Pro tip: After curing, pop the print off the dryer to help it feel extra soft—just like it will after washing.
RELATED: WHEN TO USE DISCHARGE INK
EMBROIDERY TECH: ZSK MACHINES
ZSK brought out their multi-head embroidery machines and a portable Sprint 8 setup, perfect for on-the-go embroidery. This 18-color machine is small enough to fit in a car trunk, making it ideal for live event printing.
With their live customization software, customers can upload their own designs, add text, and send jobs straight to the machine. This setup makes it easy to offer on-the-spot embroidery, whether at trade shows, festivals, or pop-up shops.
RELATED: HOW EMBROIDERY CAN TAKE YOUR SCREEN PRINTING BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
MINI PLATENS FOR SMALL PRINTS
One of the fun new tools we saw was a mini platen from Pigskins & Pigtails. This smaller printing surface is great for printing on doll clothes, sleeves, and tagless labels. It’s a small change that can open up new product options for print shops looking to expand their services.
DTF PRINTING: FASTER & EASIER
DTF (Direct-to-Film) continues to be a fast and flexible option for printing, and OmniPrint’s latest printers are making it even easier to use. Their new enterprise software can automate the entire workflow, from uploading files to creating gang sheets and sending jobs directly to the printer.
RELATED: HOW SCREEN PRINTING AND DIRECT TO FILM CAN WORK TOGETHER
DTF is a great option for small to mid-sized orders, since there’s no setup time like in traditional screen printing. With the right printer and software, one person can run an entire fulfillment shop, making production faster and more efficient.
PRINTGRIP: NO MORE STICKY SPRAYS
One of the coolest upgrades for screen printers was PrintGrip, a new pallet adhesive alternative. Instead of using messy glue sprays or water-based adhesives, Print Grip has built-in tack that keeps shirts in place.
RELATED: GET A GRIP WITH PRINTGRIP TIPS AND TRICKS
When lint builds up, you simply spray it with water, wipe it off, and it’s good as new. Each sheet lasts 4-6 months, saving money and reducing waste.
HORIZONTAL GRADIENT PRINTING
Riley Hopkins introduced a swivel board for horizontal split fountain printing, which allows printers to create natural color blends in a side-to-side direction. This is perfect for designs like sunsets, landscapes, and waves, which look more realistic with horizontal gradients.
DIY MERCH & THE PRINT HUSTLER MINDSET
Many bands have started printing their own shirts to stay independent and save money on merch. JT from Hawthorne Heights talked about spending late nights fighting three-color registration when all he wanted to do was write music—but in the end, it gave his band complete control over their brand.
Whether you print screen printing, embroidery, or DTF, staying ahead with new tools and techniques will keep your business growing and profitable.