Resolution- Resolution is the number of pixels or dots used to represent a raster image. Resolution is described in PPI (pixels per inch) or DPI (dots per inch). Low-resolution images (web page or some digital pictures) are usually 72 ppi or less and are usually useless for screen-printing. High-resolution images may be as high as 600 ppi. We recommend an Adobe Photoshop® Document (.psd) at 100% of final print size with a resolution of at least 300 ppi for our purposes.

Pixels Per Inch (ppi)- Pixels per inch (ppi) and dots per inch (dpi) are the measure of image resolution that describes the number of pixels per inch that are used to create an image. The higher the ppi of the image, the higher the resolution of an image.

CMYK- CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are print process colors. This means that they are made up of the inks that all printers use for color printing. They are not a special color that would cost more. They are also the colors of a standard office color printer.

Halftone- Halftones are a pattern of tiny dots that can simulate different shades of color using varying percentages of a single ink. Visually, halftones create the illusion of a continuous tone image by using spots of varying size and density to represent the darker or lighter color values. Halftones can be used for screen-printing to create a tint or lighter shade of color. This will allow more colors in the design without adding more screens. When creating a gradient, halftones create the appearance of continuous tone of color. Halftones are also used to create overlapping screens of different ink colors that combine to simulate more colors. For our purposes, we use 28 – 65 line screens.

Gradient- A gradient is a graphic effect that uses a gradual transition of two or more colors or tints of the same color. Gradients are used to create depth and highlights as needed in your artwork.

Underbase- An underbase is a layer of ink, usually white, that is printed under the other ink colors when printing on dark garments. When printing most colors on dark garments, the color of the shirt will show through the ink slightly. To prevent this, the thin, white underbase is printed, and then flash dried for the following colors to print on top. The underbase provides a good neutral base and reduces or eliminates the shirt color showing through.

Flash- Flash curing is the process of gelling a layer of ink with a spot heating unit while still on the press. To gel the ink layer, the temperature is raised to the point where the ink begins to dry but is not completely cured. The ink will feel dry to the touch and form a solid surface to print additional colors on. After the garment has run through the dryer, the flashed layer will cure completely and bond to the ink layers on top to form a solid print.

Embroidery Digitizing- Digitizing is the process of converting the customer’s artwork or digital design into stitches that are stored in a computer file read by the embroidery machine’s computer.