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Inkthreadable's Printing Terminology Guide
Inkthreadable's Printing Terminology Guide

Let's break down some of the technical terms you'll find on our site.

Updated over a week ago

Printing Methods

  • DTG (Direct to Garment): A digital printing method that applies inks directly onto garments, allowing for high-quality, full-colour prints.

  • Dye Sublimation: A versatile printing technique where specialised dye is transferred to compatible products (like mugs and water bottles) using heat.

  • Screen Printing: A traditional method involving layers of ink applied through a mesh screen. (Please note that Inkthreadable does not offer screen printing. Find out more about the benefits of DTG printing over screen printing).

  • Photography & Fine Art Printers: Our Giclée printing utilises specialised printers and inks to produce stunningly accurate reproductions of your photographs and fine art. It's renowned for its colour fidelity, detail, and longevity.


Design File Formats

These are the file types we may refer to when talking about print/design files: 

  • PNG: This file type preserves image quality and allows for transparent backgrounds, making it ideal for print production.

  • JPG: A common image format. While it may result in some quality loss with compression, it's suitable for most purposes.

  • EPS, AI, PSD: These vector-based file formats are often used by designers, providing flexibility for editing and resizing.

  • PDF: A fixed-layout format that ensures your design appears exactly as intended when printed.

Learn more about file types in our design file guidelines.


Understanding Colour

  • CMYK: The standard colour model for printing, using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black to create a wide range of colours.

  • CMYKRG-W: Our specialised printers utilise additional colour channels (Red, Green and White) for an expanded colour range and exceptional vibrancy.

  • RGB: This colour model is used for digital displays, with Red, Green, and Blue combined to produce images. Our systems convert RGB to CMYK for accurate printing.


Additional Terms

  • PPI (Pixels Per Inch): A measure of image resolution. Higher PPI results in sharper prints.

  • DPI (Dots Per Inch): The density of ink dots during printing. Higher DPI means finer detail.

  • GSM (Grams per Square Meter): Indicates fabric weight and thickness. Higher GSM generally means a heavier, denser fabric.


Need Further Assistance?

Please contact our support team if you have any additional questions.

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