Printed vs Woven Labels
PRINTED VS WOVEN LABELS - MAKING A CHOICE
Printed garment label technology is, for some, a viable alternative to woven
labels. Among other factors:
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In short run applications, under 10,000 units, a single color digital print
label will be cheaper.
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Short run under 50 pieces on excel spreadsheet will give minimal erra and time.
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Print labels can intrinsically give higher definition than woven labels
(smaller prints and process color).
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Print labels can carry information on both sides.
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In applications with a high number of variables fabric to be print labels on
can be cheaper.
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Softer fabric and more type of fabric thicker, rougher fabric it can print on.
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Custom color is easier to obtain.
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Over print capability both on woven and pre-printed label with variable
information can be easily printed on.Woven labels excel in three areas:
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On a cost basis on longer runs taffeta VS taffeta can be lower than printed.
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Where label color retention is a main consideration.
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Polyester base with rayon yearn during garment dye rayon take on dye and
polyester repel the dye.
Anyone using a printed label must be aware of one critical factor -- printed
labels are not as durable as woven labels. If subjected to processes such as
garment dyeing and stone washing most of the printed labels will fail. The
failure rate can be lessened by careful match-up of the right ink and fabric,
but it is tough to withstand tremendous amounts of rubbing, chemicals and abuse
with out fading.
The great strength of printed labels is high definition. Woven labels
effectively have 75-100 dpi (dots per inch) resolution. Thermal and ink jet
printed labels are limited to about 300 dpi resolution. Laser printed labels
can deliver 600-1000 dpi to about 1000 dpi resolution. Offset and letterpress
printed labels can reach a resolution of up to 2000 dpi.
In addition to higher resolution, offset machines using process color can
produce an infinite amount of shade and hue variation. With letterpress, inkjet
or thermal printers there is a limited of from 1-6 colors, depending on the
number of color stations that the press has available.
In all cases, regardless of machine type, print label ink color consistency is
enhanced by:
