Sweatshirts can be tricky. Thicker fabric, fleece interiors, and heat sensitivity ask more from your setup. With a few simple adjustments, you can print clean, bold designs with confidence. Here is how to dial in your process.
Tip 1: Prep Your White Ink the Smart Way
For bold white on fleece, reduce viscosity slightly so the ink flows without losing coverage. Mix a small amount of reducer into a separate container of white ink to keep your main supply unchanged.
Rule of thumb: keep reducer under about 5% to protect opacity and coverage.
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Tip 2: Choose Mesh and Squeegee for Coverage
On fleece, aim for a heavier deposit with control.
Build your base in one to two solid passes, then finish with a lighter, quicker pull to level the print.
Tip 3: Increase Off-Contact for Thickness
Sweatshirts sit higher on the platen. Increase off-contact compared to tees so the screen releases cleanly and detail stays sharp.
Tip 4: Stabilize the Garment with the Right Adhesive
Fleece can shift during flashing. Use a tack that holds securely and matches your cleanliness preference:
- AlbaChem Premium Web Spray Adhesive for aggressive hold
- PrintGRIP High Tack Sheet for Platens for a reusable, low-mess solution
-
PMI PalletGel Sheets for clean, consistent tack with a heat-ready color cue
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Protect your floor and press area if you use web spray. Reapply tack between garments if you notice movement after flashing.
Tip 5: Flashing and Heat Management
Keep flash times tight and watch platen heat. Many sweatshirts are cotton face with polyester fleece inside. Excessive heat can cause shifting and shrinkage that shows as edges peeking out on multi-pass prints. A reliable flash unit like the Riley Flash Quartz Dryer helps deliver fast, even cures with minimal heat buildup, keeping garments stable and prints sharp.
Tip 6: Proper Cure
Keep garments flat in the dryer and confirm cure with your preferred test method. Consistent temperature and dwell time lead to consistent results.
The Finished Print
With thoughtful ink prep, the right mesh and squeegee, proper off-contact, and dependable platen tack, sweatshirts print bright and clean. Your craft improves when your setup does. Try these tips on your next fleece run and see the difference.