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Majors Printing methods used currently in Clothing Line

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heat-transfer-printing-machine

heat-transfer-printing-machine

Heat Transfer Printing

Pros: Photographic, full color prints.

Cons: Relatively poor quality print. Washes out eventually.

Remember the kits your mom bought for you when you were a kid? The ones where you’d print a design from your printer on special paper, and then your mom would iron it on a white t-shirt? Well… this method of printing is still alive and well.

You see the grown up version of this at mall stores and event booths selling 5 minute “pick-your-design” shirts. They use slightly better quality paper and inks, and a heat press machine that applies the design to the shirt with more staying power than your mom’s iron. Even so, these prints will quickly deteriorate after a few washings.

dtg-t-shirt-printing-machine

Digital Printing Machine

Digital Printing (also called Direct-to-Garment)

Pros: No cost for materials other than ink. Photographic, full color prints, easy to to do small runs, very soft feel to the print.

Cons: Technology still has issues printing on dark colored shirts. Color quality can be unreliable if you go with a vendor who is using cheaper equipment. Limited imprint size.

Digital printing is essentially the process of running a t-shirt through an ink jet printer that has special mechanisms and inks for garments. It’s a process that’s been the holy grail of the imprintables industry for a some time now. After all, what could be better than a clean, cheap, almost completely hands off production method that gives photographic quality results?

Unfortunately, the technology isn’t quite there yet. While prints on white and light colored shirts are generally acceptable, prints on black and dark colored shirts still have vibrancy issues. Additionally, the less expensive machines that many printing companies “buy to try” are lower quality, have color management issues over the course of longer runs, and frequently break down.

Screen Printing machine for T-shirts

Screen Printing Machine

Screen Printing

Pros: Best option for long lasting, multi-color prints. Able to maintain very good detail. Wide range of special effect inks available including glitters, textures, and glosses.

Cons: Can be expensive for short run jobs because of set up costs. Because jobs are usually charged by screen, multi-color/multi-position jobs can become expensive. Dark colored t-shirts printed with multiple colors can have a thick, rough feel.

Screen printing is the grand-daddy of imprinting and still the most popular method of applying art to t-shirt today. For good reason: it’s still hands down the best way to print a shirt.

The apply named process involves pushing ink (water-based, plastisol, or discharge ink) through a specially prepared screen onto the garment. Each color gets its own screen and each screen contains a “burned” image of all the elements of the design that should appear in that particular color.

Vinyl

Vinyl Printing Machine

Vinyl

Pros: Very inexpensive to produce single shirts

Cons: Realistically limited to 1-2 colors, no complex graphics, limited imprint size.

To most commercial printing companies, Vinyl is synonymous with sports teams. “Sports Teams? What?” Yup… the names and numbers you seen on the back of little league and high school teams everywhere? Usually done with Vinyl.

Long rolls of the stuff (with a special backer) can be purchased in a wide variety of colors. Letters, numbers, or any other simple designs can be etched from the material using a special vinyl cutter connected to a computer.

After cutting, the excess vinyl is removed from around the graphic (the backer is left intact to hold the piece of the design together) and then it’s applied to the garment using a heat press machine.

So what does this all mean to you? Well, there’s a lot of different ways out there to put a design on a shirt, some methods work a little better than others. Generally though, screen printing is still the defacto standard. It’s the perfect choice for artists who want to get the best quality representation of their work on a shirt.

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Antonio-Massey

Antonio Massey

Production Team: Folder

Antonio Massey recently joined NWCA in June of 2022. His role on the Production Team has greatly improved our processes and productivity. Antonio is always willing to lift heavy boxes or help his co-workers during busy times. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his dog and mastering video games.

Alicia-Wada

Alicia Wada

Shipping Clerk

Alicia Wada is passionate about helping her co-workers at Northwest Custom Apparel in any way that she can. She works in our Shipping and Logistics department. Alicia, who goes by Ali, has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics. She lived in Japan for ten years and recently brought her family to America in 2019. She is interested in learning crafts and textile art from around the world.

Erik-Mikelson

Erik Mickelson

Manager

Erik Mickelson’s position as Manager is more than a job, it’s a passion. It’s always fun and exciting because he enjoys marketing, computers, and coming up with innovative ideas to help NWCA grow. He majored in accounting and finance at Washington State University, graduating in 1996, and returned to school to obtain his Master of Business from WGU, graduating in 2016. Erik continually strives to advance his education through podcasts, audiobooks, and industry tradeshows. He is married to a remarkable and caring wife named Wendy, a Registered Nurse, with whom he shares his many hobbies and a love for the outdoors.

 

Ruth-Nhoung

Ruth Nhoung

Production Manager

Ruth Nhoung is our Production Manager and Northwest Custom Apparel is lucky to have her. Thanks to her vast knowledge of machine embroidery and dedication to creating a comfortable and supportive work environment, the production plant runs smoothly and customers are pleased with our work. She is a loving mother and grandmother and enjoys spending quality time with her siblings. She says, “I love everything about Northwest Custom Apparel: the people, the atmosphere, the work, and the customers. I love what I do and I embrace all of NWCA’s core values”.

Steve-Deland

Steve Deland

Art Director

Steve Deland has been our amazing Artist since 2017. He loves working at Northwest Custom Apparel because he appreciates the goal-oriented, progressive-thinking management style. He is most passionate about his art, which includes scroll saw woodwork, and his five grandchildren.

 

Taylar-Hanson

Taylar Hanson

Sales

Taylar Hanson is a highly acclaimed Saleswoman at Northwest Custom Apparel. She has a BA in Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles from Washington State University. “Go Cougs!” The best part of Taylar’s job is getting to work with longtime customers who trust us to do the best work and take care of their needs. She is passionate about appreciating nature, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Nika-Lao

Nika Lao

Sales

Nika Lao is very knowledgeable in how the business is ran because she began as an Embroidery Machine Operator and has worked hard to become the excellent and personable saleswoman she is today. She enjoys the stress-free environment and the many chances to connect with her co-workers over potlucks, BBQs, and bowling parties. Nika is a proud sister of two highly successful brothers and can boast mastering three languages herself: Khmer, Thai, and English. She is an avid camper, enjoys going to farmer markets, and loves cooking.

Bradley-Wright

Bradley Wright

Accountant

Bradley Wright has been a vital team member of NWCA since 2017. As our accountant and knower-of-all-things, Bradley is proud to work closely with his wonderful colleagues. He studied at the University of Washington. These days he dedicates his free time to his new house.

Dominic-Nguyen

Dominic Nguyen

DTG Operator

Dominic Nguyen recently joined our Direct-To-Garment department. He says he loves the family work environment at Northwest Custom Apparel. In his free time, Dom likes to listen to music, hangout with friends, and play video games. He comes from a very big family which can be very chaotic at times, but is always exciting.

Sothea-Tann

Sothea Tann

Production Team: Trimmer

Sothea Tann recently joined the Production Team in 2022. She finds Northwest Custom Apparel to be a good working environment with helpful and friendly staff. In her free time, Sothea spends quality time with her family and, overall, focuses on a peaceful and happy lifestyle.

Brian-Beardsly

Brian Beardsley

DTG Supervisor

Brian Beardsley has been with Northwest Custom Apparel since 2018. He is our DTG Supervisor. Brian loves that he gets to work with high-tech machines in a fun atmosphere. He has a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. He said, “I always wanted to create visually interesting assets in a variety of mediums”. In his free time, he enjoys building and painting models, playing video games, designing, and playing his guitar.

UT-Tri-Tran

UT Tri Tran

Embroidery Machine Operator

UT Tri Tran loves Northwest Custom Apparel so much that, although she has already retired after a long career in machine embroidery operations, she is happy to return part time. She says, “I love the family style work environment and how everyone shares food, laughter, and fun on a regular basis.” In her free time she is dedicated to living a healthy and peaceful lifestyle with her friends and family.

Bunsereytheavy-Hoeu

BunsereytheavyHoeu

Embroidery Machine Operator

BunsereytheavyHoeu, who goes by Theavy, won our Operator of the Year in 2021. She takes on many roles in the production team. She says, “These are not my co-workers, these are my family! I cherish all the memories we make together”. When she goes home to be with her family, she makes the most of her time with them by holding family get-togethers and even karaoke competitions.

Sreynai-Meang

Sreynai Meang

Embroidery Machine Operator

SreynaiMeang is a hard-working Machine Operator. She is most passionate about helping people. Sreynai, who goes by Nai, likes to exercise in her free time and talk with her family in Cambodia.

Kanha-Chhorn

Kanha Chhorn

Embroidery Machine Operator

Kanha Chhorn has been an Embroidery Operator with Northwest Custom Apparel since 2018. She is delightful and always makes everyone smile and laugh. Kanha takes on additional tasks that allow us to exceed our customers’ expectations. In her free time, she can be found at her local temple or spending quality time with her family and friends.

Savy-Sorm

Savy Som

Embroidery Machine Operator

SavySom is one of our Machine Operators who is passionate about embroidery and sewing. She enjoys working at NWCA because of its flexibility. She has two teenage sons and loves spending time with her family on the weekends.

Sorphorn-Sorm

SorphornSorm

Embroidery Machine Operator

SorphornSorm has been a Machine Operator since 2011. One of her four sisters works here as well. Her other relatives are in Cambodia. In her free time, Sorphorn studies English, listens to music, and enjoys exercising.

Jim-Mickelson

Jim Mickelson

CEO

Jim Mickelson, after a successful career with a major oil company, founded Northwest Embroidery in 1977. This was the first commercial embroidery in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years, Jim has become the guru of embroidery never refusing to answer a question or offer advice to his fellow embroiders. Jim and his wife Leeanna raised four wonderful children who went on to successful business careers.