Services

Screen Printing at OCC APPAREL

Screen printing is a classic and lasting way to print on t shirts. At OCC Apparel it is the most popular and often the most economical way to decorate garments. We can use any combination of colours with any colour t-shirt. We print across all mediums and will complete your garments with efficient turnaround times.

How Screen Printing Works

Screen printing is a printing technique that involves passing ink through a mesh screen. The screen is prepared with a stencil, which allows ink to pass through only in the areas where the stencil is not present. This results in a print that is precise and accurate.

The screen printing process involves several steps, including creating a stencil, preparing the ink, setting up the screen, and printing the image onto the garment. There are several different types of screen printing equipment available, including manual and automatic presses.

When we create a screen printed t-shirt, each colour in your design is separated into individual screens. Coloured t shirts require an undercoat known as base print + artwork colour. We then place each individual screen over your garment to lay down each ink colour – the end result is your completed design.

It’s a bit more intricate than that, but you get the idea: more colours = more screens and more screens = a higher cost per print.

We can print any combination of colours with any colour of T-shirt to your preference. We print across all mediums (discharge, water based, plastisol, GOTS certified organic, foiling or metallic, just to name a few options) and can complete your garments in super-fast turnaround times.

 Types of Screen Printing Inks

There are various types of inks used in screen printing, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The two most commonly used inks are water-based and plastisol inks.

Water-Based Inks

Water-based inks are made from water-soluble dyes and pigments. They are eco-friendly and do not contain harmful chemicals. Water-based inks are best suited for printing on light-coloured materials and are ideal for projects that require a softer and more breathable print.

Advantages of water-based inks include:

• Eco-friendly and non-toxic
• Soft feel and breathable print
• Can be used on a wide range of materials

Disadvantages of water-based inks include:

• Not suitable for printing on dark-coloured materials
• Longer drying time

MagnaColours Inks 

For 40 years, Magna Colours have pushed the boundaries of water-based printing inks to create innovative alternatives to plastisol. With MagnaPrint Eco-friendly water-based inks, you do not compromise on print quality. In fact they surpass plastisol in terms of stretch and hand feel. They have gone further than any one else to make screen-printing a greener and more sustainable industry – in fact, it is their mission.

That’s why many printers and global brands, like Nike, Under Armour and Adidas choose to use their inks. It’s also why they were presented the Queen’s Award for Innovation. OCC Apparel currently print with Magna Colours Inks on automatic screen printing machines in Sydney.

Permaset Inks 

Founded in 1958, Colormaker Industries is an environmentally responsible manufacturer of quality surface coatings. Colormaker’s success is founded on dedication and commitment to developing industry-leading products through extensive research and development as well as a focus on sustainable business practices.

Australian and privately owned since foundation, Colormaker has developed numerous innovative coatings products, including the revolutionary, eco-friendly water-based textile screen printing range of PERMASET AQUA®, PERMATONE®  and PERMAPRINT PREMIUM® inks and PERMAPLASTIK® scenic paints.

All products are developed and manufactured in the Sydney based production facility under strict quality control procedures and distributed nationally and internationally, from Iceland in the North to Dunedin in South Island of New Zealand.

The team has more than 100 years of cumulative experience in the coatings industry from manufacturing through R&D through to customer service.

MagnaPrint AquaFlex water-based

Virus Inks

Virus® is the pioneer of ecological sustainable water based inks. Sustainable in terms of the raw materials choice and the care of the entire production process. Sustainability is an integral part of our innovation strategy: every  day we update our manufacturing processes  and we reconsider the raw materials involved to achieve the targets of sustainability including the ones of our customers.
We have set ambitious targets for the safety, the health, the respect and the protection of the environment.

Plastisol Inks

Plastisol inks are made from PVC resin and plasticiser. They are more durable and long-lasting than water-based inks and are ideal for printing on dark-coloured materials. Plastisol inks are also more opaque and offer better coverage.

Advantages of plastisol inks include:

• More durable and long-lasting
• Better coverage and more vivid colour
• Suitable for printing on light and dark-coloured materials

Disadvantages of plastisol inks include:

• Not eco-friendly
• Not breathable

Wilflex – plastisol 

The Wilflex brand of inks emerged in the early 1960s as screen printing on t-shirts gained popularity for self-expression. Wilflex continued to make history twenty years later when it provided design freedom with the introduction of the first plastisol mixing system.

Wilflex offers White inks, colour mixing systems, off-the-shelf colours, polyester solutions, special effects, transfer inks and additives.

Choosing the Right Ink for Your Screen Printing Project

Choosing the right ink for your screen printing project depends on several factors, including the type of material you are printing on, the colour of the material, and the desired look and feel of the print.

Water-based inks are best suited for projects that require a soft and breathable print on light-coloured materials. Plastisol inks are more suitable for printing on dark-coloured materials and projects that require a more durable and long-lasting print.

Other factors to consider when choosing the right ink for your project include colour matching and environmental considerations. For example, water-based inks may be more suitable for projects that require a more eco-friendly and non-toxic ink.

Digital printing, also known as direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, is a versatile method that allows for the printing of any t-shirt design, regardless of the number of colours, onto shirts of any colour. While the process differs from traditional screen printing and requires more effort and time, it offers several advantages. Digital printing involves directly transferring your image from electronic sources onto the fabric, making it ideal for low-volume and multi-coloured print jobs.

Benefits of digital printing include:

1. Environmentally friendly: Digital printing uses water-based inks, which are more eco-friendly compared to traditional solvent-based inks commonly used in other printing methods. This makes digital printing a greener option.
2. No minimum order quantities or set-up restrictions/costs: Unlike some other printing methods, digital printing does not require a minimum order quantity. This means you can print a single t-shirt or a small batch without any restrictions. Additionally, there are no significant set-up costs involved, making it cost-effective for small-scale printing projects.
3. Quick pre-production proofs and approvals: Digital printing allows for quick turnaround times when it comes to pre-production proofs and obtaining approvals. This can be advantageous if you have tight deadlines or need to make adjustments before finalising the printing process.
4. Flexibility in artwork formats: Digital printing offers flexibility in the types of artwork formats it can work with. Whether you have vector art, high-resolution images, bitmap images, or digital camera photos, digital printing can accommodate them all, ensuring that your design comes out as intended.
5. No concerns over spot vs. process colour: With digital printing, you can bypass the spot colour vs. process colour consideration. Since the printing is done directly from the computer, there is minimal room for error, resulting in accurate and vibrant colours on your printed t-shirts.

Advantages of DTG Printing:

In addition to the general benefits mentioned above, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing offers specific advantages:

1. One-time set-up fee for the same artwork and colour: If you’re using the same artwork and colour for multiple t-shirts, DTG printing typically incurs a one-time set-up fee. This can be cost-effective when printing a larger quantity of shirts with the same design and colour scheme.
2. Eco-friendly water-based inks: DTG printing utilises water-based inks, which are more environmentally friendly compared to solvent-based inks. This aligns with the increasing emphasis on sustainable and eco-conscious practices.
3. High-quality multi-coloured printing: DTG printing excels in reproducing intricate and multi-coloured designs with excellent precision and detail. It allows for high-quality prints, including gradients, shading, and fine details, on your t-shirts.
4. Compatibility with various image formats: DTG printing can work with various image formats, including vector images, high-resolution images, bitmap images, and even digital photos. This versatility ensures that you can use your preferred image format without compromising on print quality.
5. No concerns over spot vs. process colour – we print directly from the computer, there is little room for error

By leveraging the advantages of digital printing, specifically direct-to-garment printing, you can achieve custom t-shirt designs that are environmentally friendly, high-quality, and flexible in terms of colors and artwork formats.

Kornit Digital

Kornit Digital is the global leader in on-demand sustainable fashion production.

By 2026, Kornit’s technology will enable the production of approximately 2.5 billion apparel items in a responsible manner.

1. Reduce overproduction by up to 30% annually. Moving the industry to on-demand manufacturing will eliminate the overproduction of an estimated 1.1 billion apparel items each year.
2. Reduce water waste, to just that required to print. In addition to eliminating overstocks, Kornit’s on-demand production will support saving an estimated 4.3 trillion liters of water annually. Enough drinking water to hydrate the entire US population for 11 years.
3. Reduce CO2 emissions. Kornit’s sustainable on-demand production, consumes less energy, and generates less waste, preventing an estimated 17.2 billion kilograms (37.9 billion pounds) of greenhouse gas emissions annually, compared to traditional manufacturing.

Brother GTX

DTG with Brother facilitates a higher resolution, crisp graphic detail and full-colour capability. DTG opens up a whole new world for textile decoration. You aren’t limited with a set number of colours and you can push your creativity with explosive graphics. Even include photography in your designs. With DTG, the sky is the limit!

Water based pigment inks, Innobella Textile Ink are ECO PASSPORT by OKEO-TEX® certified and CPSIA compliant. They have less of an impact on the environment with cartridges that use less plastic with replaceable ouches. Produce prints that stand up to multiple washings and maintain their integrity even longer. All of this with the convenience and dependability Brother DTG is known for.

“Our Key Principles are Quality, People & Honesty”Nick Barclay

Embroidery

At OCC Apparel, we are proud to offer exceptional embroidery services as part of our range of customisation options. Embroidery is a classic and timeless method of embellishing garments and accessories, adding a touch of sophistication to any piece. With our state-of-the-art equipment, skilled artisans, and meticulous attention to detail, we can bring your designs to life.

The team of experienced embroiderers specialises in transforming your existing logos, artwork, or designs into works of art. We understand that your brand image is important, which is why we strive to replicate your designs with utmost precision. From corporate logos to intricate artwork, we can meticulously stitch each detail, ensuring that your finished products reflect the quality and professionalism of your brand.

The cutting-edge embroidery machines are sourced from the industry leader, Barudan  These machines are widely renowned for their exceptional quality and reliability, making them the top choice for embroidery professionals. These decoration machines are equipped with specialised embroidery software that digitises your designs, resulting in intricate and precise artwork. The use of this software enables us to create captivating design elements, incorporate various types of fills for added texture, and achieve exceptional embroidery results.

The Barudan machines utilise the latest industrial applications. The software controlling these machines operates from solid-state memory chips, eliminating the need for traditional hard discs with moving parts. This design choice enhances stability and reliability, guaranteeing consistent performance.

One of the standout features of the Barudan LEM-server software is its remarkable speed and security. It offers super-fast and secure design search capabilities, allowing us to quickly locate and retrieve the required designs. Moreover, this software enables automatic download of designs directly into the machine memory, streamlining the entire production process. The LEM-server software supports multiple machine connectivity, meaning that we can connect several machines simultaneously. This feature enhances efficiency and enables us to handle large-scale projects with ease.

With machine garment decoration, the possibilities are virtually endless. Whether you’re looking to embellish caps, beanies, shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, or any other garment, our embroidery services can elevate your products and make them truly stand out. We offer a wide range of embroidery styles and patterns to suit your preferences, ensuring that we capture the essence of your design and deliver exceptional results.

At OCC Apparel, we understand that every detail matters. By choosing OCC Apparel, you can expect attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering products that leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re a business looking to enhance your brand image or an individual seeking personalised garments, our embroidery services are tailored to meet your specific requirements.

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you through the process, answer any questions you may have, and help you bring your vision to life through our exceptional embroidery services.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today and explore the endless possibilities of embroidery. Let us showcase how this timeless decoration method can take your garments to the next level, captivate your audience, and make a lasting impact. At OCC Apparel, we are passionate about delivering excellence and making your vision a reality.

Barudan Embroidery Machines

“Our Key Principles are Quality, People & Honesty”
Nick Barclay

This is the Swiss Army knife of apparel printing and will solve majority of your problems. A solution so versatile that with Supacolour Wearables and heat press you can print from anywhere! It doesn’t matter if you are printing on your favourite cotton t-shirt or stretchy fabrics used to make comfortable athleisure wear, these beautiful heat transfers are the perfect fit for most textiles.

Supacolour Wearables are without a doubt the World’s best heat transfers. They are vibrant, durable, stretchy and east to press.

Wearable transfers are made with Supacolour’s proprietary water-based ink formula which provides great wash ability, breathability, and a soft hand fit for a baby.

Featuring brilliant colours and epic, bright whites, at OCC Apparel we can turn complex artwork into easy, everyday jobs without the hassle of counting colours or worrying about large minimums. Wearable Transfers can be applied with just about any commercial heat press and peel hot, allowing you to turn out jobs faster and make a bigger profit. Experience why Supacolour Wearables have become the premium heat transfer of choice for professional garment printers worldwide by ordering your designs today..

“Our Key Principles are Quality, People & Honesty”
Nick Barclay

Our relabelling service is in house ensuring high quality and a quick turn-around on all orders. We can use the existing care labels in many of our garments for sizing, country of origin and care details. All labels must be supplied cut, not in a roll, and with both loop folds and end folds.

For relabelling of existing brands, we have a broad range to choose from. We distribute the finest brands such as Stanley Stella, Earth Positive, AS colour, Salvage, Fair Share, Continental Clothing, Vapor Apparel, Royal Apparel and our own brand Certton all of which are made for relabelling with your brand.
Create your own apparel using our premium selected blanks. This is an inexpensive way to get your apparel label off the ground. We offer a variety of relabelling options to showcase your brand such as sew in, printed inner neck labels or heat transfers.

“Our Key Principles are Quality, People & Honesty”
Nick Barclay

Artwork Specifications

We want you to have the best print result possible so it is important that we have great artwork files to work with. Vector format is preferred in either an .eps, .pdf or .ai file. This format allows us to shrink and expand the artwork to suit the garment without compromising the quality of the image. If you are working with a pixel based image or program you can provide us with a .pdf, .tiff, .jpeg, .png or .psd as long as the art is at the size you intend to print it and resolution is high (300dpi is ideal) to avoid any pixilation or blurring.

Checklist

Please make sure fonts you use are either generic or are converted to outlines. Please provide specific Pantone colour Codes for each of your print colours. Please ensure artwork is cropped to specified size and ready to print.

“Our Key Principles are Quality, People & Honesty”
Nick Barclay

“Our Key Principles are Quality, People & Honesty”
Nick Barclay

“Our Key Principles are Quality, People & Honesty”
Nick Barclay

“Our Key Principles are Quality, People & Honesty”
Nick Barclay