THE IMPORTANCE OF BRANDING DENVER:

A successful company is a known company, and branding is a key component to making an impression. Whether you are an established company with a logo and color themes all ready to go or if you are a new company looking to create your brand identity, you will need to promote yourself consistently and in creative ways. Rocky Mountain Apparel provides many different printing services here in the Denver area, as well as swag and promotional items. 

 Maybe you are a club, school, or artist looking for screen printing in Denver that is in need of custom t-shirts and promotional products to further awareness. We welcome orders of all sizes, whether it’s a smaller job with a few items or you are in need of 10,000 plus items. We are able to fulfill all of your screen printing needs. 

 Color theme consistency builds trust and recognition in your clientele. If your logo is blue, yellow, white, and black, then your promotional products should be the same color. Your graphic designer will share with you vector files of your logo and other content. You will need these for screen printing. 

If you are unsure of what file formats you have, you can click here to contact us. 

 Embrace your company’s fun and unique style while standing out here in the Denver area. Using high-quality screen print products to further your marketing will enhance brand recognition and reputation as a reliable company, club, or brand.

CUSTOM SCREEN PRINTING DENVER:

Does your company have an upcoming event in Denver? Do your employees need work clothes? Maybe you are looking for accessories like hats, bags, or towels? Make your company one to remember with unique and custom screen print products.

 Rocky Mountain Apparel offers a wide range of screen printing right here in the Denver area. Categories include T-shirts, Outerwear, Wovens, Dress Shirts, Polos, Sports Shirts, Sweatshirts, Sweatpants, Accessories, Personal Protection, Headware, and Fit. 

Rocky Mountain Apparel also offers a wide variety of brands to pick from. From Adidas to Columbia, Oakley to Puma, and Lee to Izod; there are many popular brands to pick from. 

NOW, WHAT HAPPENS?

Once you have gathered your files, you will need to decide which promotional products will be best for your business. Rocky Mountain Apparel offers many high-quality printing services such as screen printing, embroidery, promotional products, and custom face masks.

HOW DOES SCREEN PRINTING WORK?

Today’s screen printing process is still very similar. The screens used today are metal mesh. An emulsion liquid is layered onto the mesh, blocking ink from passing through the areas that have been stenciled off. Typically the emulsion is green, and the untouched mesh is yellow. The colors are mixed and poured over the mesh. The ink will sink into the open mesh areas, and the print will begin to take shape! The next step is to squeegee off the excess ink. If the print is more than one color, the process will be repeated.

 Our custom t-shirts can be screen printed with three different methods:

 HIGH-QUALITY PLASTISOL

As the most commonly used product for screen printing, there are many pros to using plastisol. When applied, it sits on top of the fabric rather than sinking into the fabric. Many garments will accept the plastisol ink, making it a versatile method for custom t-shirt printing. It is also very vibrant and opaque. It is an easy ink to mix and match accurately to Pantone colors, and with a limitless shelf life, plastisol is a commonly used ink for all garment processes. Depending on the desired outcome of your custom screen printing needs, this ink can be applied heavy or light. This is called the hand. Using a soft hand will result in a thinner thickness and result in a softer feeling t-shirt.

 WATER BASE

If you are more interested in an eco-friendly printing process, water-based ink may be the choice for you. There are some limitations with this ink, such as the need to print on lighter surfaces. Water-based ink will not show up well on black or dark blue t-shirts. Blends of rayon or polyester and cotton will result in a duller vibrancy. However, on a lighter shirt that is 100 percent cotton, water-based ink will result in a very soft feeling and breathable t-shirt.

DISCHARGE PRINTING

For a darker t-shirt, discharge printing can be used to bleach the current dye from the shirt. Water-based inks can be used to dye back in with a custom print. The results are a lighter, more breathable t-shirt with a softer comfy feel.

 THE HISTORY OF SCREEN PRINTING:

Overall, the process of screen printing has been largely the same since the beginning. Its most recognizable form originates from China in the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). The purpose was to transfer designs onto fabric.

Later in Japan, screen printing became more advanced, creating more recognizable images through the use of stencils. The stencils were cut out of paper. A mesh was woven out of human hair. The fabric was laid flat first, then the mesh on top, and the stencil was laid on top. A thick dye typically made of rice paste was forced through the stencil and mesh with the use of thick brushes. The Japanese called this art form Katagami as the technique became more popular, and ways to improve it advanced. The hair mesh was replaced with silk which is stronger. The katagami techniques were used to decorate kimonos.

The French used screen printing techniques in the 17th century. Eventually, they wrapped the silkscreen around a wooden frame to help stabilize it in place. Silk was expensive and hard to come by outside of Asia. So, silkscreen presses were reserved for the rich.

It wasn’t until 1907 that screen printing became popular. Its first use was to create wallpaper for wealthy families in Manchester, England, by Samuel Simon. The invention of the squeegee further advanced the availability of the technique. As its popularity grew, Roy Beck, Charles Peter, and Edward Owen advanced the technique even further with the use of photo-image stencils. This revolutionized the screen printing industry into what we are more familiar with today. The materials used for printing were no longer just fabrics. Artists began to recognize that many surfaces could be printed on, like t-shirts, woven bags, glass, paper, metal, and wood. 

Pop art became very popular in the 1960s, and screen printing was used by many of the infamous artists such as Andy Warhol, Peter Blake, and Robert Raushenberg. This was considered the serigraphy movement. Prints from Andy Warhol like the Campbell Soup Can or Marilyn Monroe utilized the technology of the silkscreen press. Peter Blake was known for his screen printing piece of The Beatles, which became a well-known album cover. At the same time, Robert Raushenberg utilized the screen print technique in a new way. He soaked images in lighter fluid. Then he would transfer them onto paper by rubbing the back with a dry pen. He used this method to create many images of astronauts and rockets supplied to him by NASA.

CUSTOM EMBROIDERY DENVER:

Rocky Mountain Apparel specializes in custom embroidery and monograms. Our services can be seen throughout the Denver area in businesses, clubs, and events. Embroidery can be used on many items such as custom T-Shirts, Hats, Scarves, and more. Are you looking to promote your business? Create custom workwear. Are you looking to differentiate your group? Embroidered Hats are a very popular option. Are you looking for a unique gift? Maybe a custom apron!

HOW DOES EMBROIDERY WORK?

Today’s techniques and technologies are much more advanced than hand stitching. Now a computerized embroidery machine using computer software can quickly and efficiently create custom monograms, logos, and lettering to create any desired design.

THE HISTORY OF EMBROIDERY:

Similar to screen printing, embroidery originates from China in the Cro-Magnon era in 30,000 BC. It could be found in clothing. Later this art form was found in the Viking Age during the 9th and 10th centuries. Europe began to accept the techniques as their popularity spread. For the wealthy, embroidery was used on table cloths and wall hangings. This was to display power and family wealth.

Embroidery even became popular in Medieval Islamic times. Considered a high status, the wealthy would have handkerchiefs, flags, uniforms, robes, bags, and more embroidered to represent who they were and what groups they may belong to. Embroidery wasn’t just an art form; it could be used as a way to communicate affiliations and family groups.

The French word broderie means embellishment and evolved into the word embroidery that we know today. In the mid-1800s, machine embroidery began in conjunction with machine looms. As the machines became more efficient, embroidery became more accessible to all classes of people.

CUSTOM SWAG AND PROMOTIONAL ITEMS DENVER:

Rocky Mountain Apparel printing is not just limited to garments. There are a number of items that can be printed on: business cards, wine glasses, mugs, thermoses, clocks, koozies, coasters, wood, cutting boards, and more.

There are thousands of promotional items that can be printed on. Need help picking one that best suits your company or group? 

 

CUSTOM FACE MASKS DENVER:

Customize your masks for employees or group events. Rocky Mountain Apparel offers behind-the-ear and gaiter masks with your custom print. Look good in your mask and promote your business too.