There are a variety of methods that tote bags can be altered. The most common way are silk-screen, embroidery and heat transfer. Each of these has unique advantages and drawbacks.
Most commonly, the most cost effective option to modify tote bags is silk-screen printing. This method utilizes a liquid ink that is impressed to the tote bag which adheres to the bag. Although it is commonly used for artwork that is completely one color, it is used for multiple print colors as well.
Because each print color has to be put separately, the more colors that have to be silk-screened the more expensive the operation. The advantages to silk-screening comprises of a large display of the graphics for a reduced charge and better pricing than when the bag has only a few colors.
Embroidery is another common method for applying graphics to tote bags. Embroidery formulates a seamed interpretation of the art that is stitched onto the bag. In many cases the number of colors in the design has no influence on the expense, but the size and quality of the art does.
Heat transfers are yet one more common printing method utilized to alter tote bags. This method starts by printing the artwork onto a layer that is employed to the tote bag with very high heat that fixes the sticks to the bag. This process is used when the graphics has a major number of colors or when certain effects are used that embroidery and silk-screening cannot duplicate.
This is also the process used when a photograph needs to be impressed. Heat transfers are not limited to a limited number of colors, but they are limited to specific tote bag materials. Nylon, for example, will decompose when left to to the heat necessary to apply a heat transfer. Cotton and poly-canvas (polyester) are the best materials for heat transfers since they can handle the high heat without melting or scorching.
The benefits to heat transfers are the ability to have pictorial or color intense artwork applied to canvas bags, and to make precise specifics more accurately.
Between silkscreen, embroidery and heat transfers, the best decision falls on the artwork and the budget for selection. But the variety of modification available makes it effortless to get tote bags personalized.
Most commonly, the most cost effective option to modify tote bags is silk-screen printing. This method utilizes a liquid ink that is impressed to the tote bag which adheres to the bag. Although it is commonly used for artwork that is completely one color, it is used for multiple print colors as well.
Because each print color has to be put separately, the more colors that have to be silk-screened the more expensive the operation. The advantages to silk-screening comprises of a large display of the graphics for a reduced charge and better pricing than when the bag has only a few colors.
Embroidery is another common method for applying graphics to tote bags. Embroidery formulates a seamed interpretation of the art that is stitched onto the bag. In many cases the number of colors in the design has no influence on the expense, but the size and quality of the art does.
Heat transfers are yet one more common printing method utilized to alter tote bags. This method starts by printing the artwork onto a layer that is employed to the tote bag with very high heat that fixes the sticks to the bag. This process is used when the graphics has a major number of colors or when certain effects are used that embroidery and silk-screening cannot duplicate.
This is also the process used when a photograph needs to be impressed. Heat transfers are not limited to a limited number of colors, but they are limited to specific tote bag materials. Nylon, for example, will decompose when left to to the heat necessary to apply a heat transfer. Cotton and poly-canvas (polyester) are the best materials for heat transfers since they can handle the high heat without melting or scorching.
The benefits to heat transfers are the ability to have pictorial or color intense artwork applied to canvas bags, and to make precise specifics more accurately.
Between silkscreen, embroidery and heat transfers, the best decision falls on the artwork and the budget for selection. But the variety of modification available makes it effortless to get tote bags personalized.
About the Author:
Pamela Riekturr is a full time author and writes for personalizedbags.org and other various sites.