OUR SERVICES
WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU
MORE THAN JUST SCREEN PRINTING
At BlackDog Ink, we’re proud to offer high-quality, custom screen printing services that cater to a wide range of needs. Whether you’re an artist looking to print your designs on apparel, a business owner needing branded merchandise, or an event organiser wanting custom t-shirts, our screen printing services deliver the durability and vibrancy your designs deserve. Here’s a detailed overview of our services and the step-by-step procedures we follow to bring your vision to life.
SCREEN PRINTING
1. Single-Colour and Multi-Colour Screen Printing
We provide both single-colour and multi-colour screen printing services, allowing for a variety of design complexities. Whether you're after a simple, bold design or a vibrant, multi-colour creation, we’ve got you covered.
- Single-Colour Prints: Ideal for bold logos or minimalist designs. Perfect for businesses seeking simple, clean branding on t-shirts, hoodies, or tote bags.
- Multi-Colour Prints: Using multiple screens, we layer colours to create intricate designs with depth and detail, ideal for complex illustrations or dynamic branding.
2. Speciality Inks and Techniques
To help your merchandise stand out, we offer a variety of speciality inks and techniques:
- Metallic Inks: Add a shiny, reflective surface to your design, giving it a premium look.
- Neon Inks: Bright, vibrant colours that pop, perfect for making your brand eye-catching.
- Water-Based Inks: A more eco-friendly option that offers a softer feel on the garment while still delivering vibrant colours.
- Discharge Printing: Removes the dye from darker garments and replaces it with your custom design, offering a softer, vintage feel.
- Glow-in-the-Dark Inks: Add a unique element to your merchandise, ideal for events or promotions.
3. Custom Illustrations and Designs
At BlackDog Ink, we understand that not every customer has a fully realised design. That’s why we offer in-house design services, working with local artists and designers to bring your vision to life. Whether you need a new logo, custom illustration, or a reimagining of your current branding, our team can help you create screen-ready artwork that perfectly suits your needs. Read more about our design services here.
4. Eco-Friendly Printing Options
We’re conscious of our environmental impact, which is why we offer eco-friendly printing options, including the use of water-based inks and sustainable fabrics. Our processes are designed to minimise waste without compromising the quality or vibrancy of your prints.
Our Screen Printing Process
1. Consultation and Design Preparation
Every project begins with a consultation to understand your vision. Once we’ve settled on the design, we prepare it for printing. This involves:
- Digitising the Design: Your artwork is converted into a digital format suitable for screen printing. We separate the design into individual colour layers, as each colour requires its own screen.
- Proofing: We provide you with a digital mockup or proof to ensure that your design looks exactly how you envisioned it before we proceed to the printing stage.
2. Screen Creation
For each colour in your design, we create a screen. The screens are made by coating a fine mesh with a photosensitive emulsion and then exposing it to light. The areas where the design will be printed are left open, while the rest of the screen is blocked out, allowing ink to pass through only the areas that will create the design.
3. Setting Up the Press
We use either a manual or automatic press depending on the complexity and quantity of your order. Each screen is carefully aligned to ensure that colours are printed accurately and consistently.
4. Ink Application and Printing
Once the screens are set, we apply ink to the screen and use a squeegee to press it through the mesh onto the fabric. For multi-colour designs, this process is repeated with different screens and inks, layering the colours to build the final image.
5. Curing the Print
After the ink is applied, the garment is passed through a curing machine, where the ink is set. This ensures that the design is permanent, durable, and ready to withstand multiple washes without fading or cracking.
6. Quality Control
Before we send any product out, we thoroughly inspect every item to ensure the print is of the highest quality. We take pride in the meticulous attention to detail that goes into every order.
7. Delivery or Pickup
Once your order passes our quality check, we package it and arrange for delivery or local pickup. Whether you need a small batch or a large bulk order, we ensure your items arrive on time and in perfect condition.
Why Choose BlackDog Ink?
Expert Craftsmanship: With over 20 years in the screen printing industry, we work hard to ensure every print is flawless.
Custom Solutions: From intricate illustrations to bold logos, our printing and design services are fully customisable.
Eco-Conscious Options: We offer eco-friendly printing methods and materials to help minimise our environmental impact.
Local Collaboration: We proudly support local artists and businesses, bringing a community-focused approach to our work.
Whether you’re starting your own brand, producing merchandise for an event, or need high-quality branded apparel, BlackDog Ink is here to help. Get in touch with us today to discuss your screen printing needs, and let us turn your ideas into vibrant, high-quality prints.
DTF and Vinyl Printing Services
At BlackDog Ink, we also offer Direct-to-Film (DTF) and vinyl decoration—perfect for customising apparel and other products with precision and durability.
DTF Printing:
Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing allows us to transfer vibrant, full-colour designs directly onto a range of fabrics. Unlike traditional screen printing, DTF printing is ideal for detailed and intricate designs, making it a great choice for multi-colour logos or artwork. The process involves printing your design onto a specialised film, which is then transferred onto the fabric using heat. This method offers:
- High Detail: Perfect for complex designs with multiple colours.
- Durability: Long-lasting prints that withstand multiple washes.
- Flexibility: Suitable for a wide variety of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends.
Vinyl Printing:
Vinyl printing is an excellent option for custom lettering, logos, and simple designs. Using heat-pressed vinyl, we can apply solid colours to garments with crisp lines and a smooth finish. This method is especially popular for:
- Custom Text and Names: Ideal for uniforms, sportswear, and personalised items.
- Bold, Solid Designs: Perfect for simple logos and graphics with sharp detail.
- Durability: Vinyl prints are known for their resistance to cracking and peeling, ensuring your design stays vibrant over time.
Why Choose BlackDog Ink for DTF and Vinyl?
At BlackDog Ink, we bring our expertise and attention to detail to every project. Whether you need a high-detail, multi-colour DTF print or a bold, personalised vinyl design, our team ensures that your vision comes to life with professional results. We cater to small and large orders alike, providing flexible printing solutions for businesses, events, and individuals.
Get in touch with us today to explore how DTF or vinyl printing can elevate your brand or project!
Design Services
At BlackDog Ink, we understand that great prints start with exceptional design. Whether you have a fully developed concept or just the seed of an idea, our in-house design services are here to bring your vision to life. We combine artistic expertise with technical precision to ensure your designs are not only eye-catching but also perfectly prepared for high-quality screen printing.
Custom Design and Illustration
Not every client comes to us with a ready-to-print design, and that’s where our custom design services come in. Our talented team of designers and local artists work closely with you to create artwork that reflects your brand, message, or personality. Whether it’s a bold new logo, a detailed illustration, or a complete rebranding project, we’ll craft something that’s uniquely yours.
Logo Design: We’ll help you create a logo that stands out and makes a lasting impression.
Custom Illustrations: Our artists can design intricate illustrations tailored to your needs, from band merch to promotional art.
Rebranding Assistance: Need a fresh look? We’ll help you reimagine your brand while staying true to its core identity.
Single-Colour and Multi-Colour Design Preparation
Every design is unique, and our team ensures it’s screen-ready before hitting the press. Whether you’re after bold, minimalist single-colour prints or vibrant multi-colour creations, we optimise your artwork for the best possible result.
Single-Colour Prints: Ideal for logos, text-based designs, or minimalist styles, these prints are bold, clean, and perfect for businesses or events.
Multi-Colour Prints: For intricate designs, detailed illustrations, or dynamic graphics, we layer colours to create depth and complexity that make your design pop.
Digitisation and File Preparation
For screen printing, every detail counts. We specialise in digitising and preparing artwork, separating layers and colours to ensure precision during printing. Each design is thoroughly proofed, and we provide mock-ups so you can see exactly how your final product will look.
Your Vision, Our Expertise
Designing for screen printing isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about how it works. From ensuring clean separations for multi-layered prints to visualising how colours interact on fabric, our team is dedicated to turning your ideas into designs that shine on every medium. With over 20 years of experience in screen printing and design, we’re here to guide you through the process and deliver artwork that exceeds expectations.
Whether you’re looking to create a new design from scratch, refine an existing idea, or collaborate on something truly unique, BlackDog Ink has the tools and talent to make it happen. Contact us today to discuss your design needs!