Printing Practices

How Do I Print Clothes?

I use dye sublimation. Dye sublimation is a printing method that uses heat to transfer dye onto a material. I design my graphic and then print it onto a special coated paper with a sublimation printer and special sublimation dye. Then, I use a heat press and pressure to transfer the design from the paper to the fabric. The dye turns into a gas and penetrates the materials surface, and the dye gas bonds with the material's fibers and solidifies. 

 

What Does This Mean For My Prints?

• I can only use fabric that is made from at least 50% polyester, as that is the only fiber compatible with sublimation printing.
• Once the design is printed, it won’t scratch, crack, or fade! The dye is fully bonded with the fabric and the graphic is vibrant and durable.
• I am unable to print on clothing with dark fabrics. Unlike screen printing which is on top of the fibers, sublimation bonds with the fibers and therefore requires a light-colored blank.

 

What Clothes Do I Print On?

I'm working towards more sustainable blank options while still keeping my designs accessible. Right now, i use a mix of blanks to balance quality, style, and affordability.
 
I have 3 different variations of blanks that i work with: 

Tshirts

My tshirt selection is printed on poly-cotton tshirts. Specifically, Gildan Dryblend 50% cotton 50% polyester tshirts.  These tshirts have a sturdy feel but are also soft and stretchy. These are great for people who don’t love the feel of 100% polyester items!

Crops and Tanks

Because my printing method requires polyester blanks, I use Shein as my main distributor for crop tops, baby tees, tank tops, and cropped tank tops. For these pieces, I have been unable to find a more reputable manufacturer that has the same style and material in the same price range. I am aware of the malpractice of this company and I am working towards less dependency on Shein for producing my items. However as of right now, my 100% polyester items are sourced from there.  I try to be fully transparent about this and have not ever intended to hide it.

Another aspect of this choice is affordability and accessibility. I am just one person handling all aspects of this shop, and the cost of these blanks enable me to keep creating designs and to post them at affordable prices. For anyone who is interested in a print on a non-Shein blank, I readily accept any suggestions for graphics on tshirts or thrifted items instead.   

Thrifted Items

Sustainability in fashion is an important value for me. In order to incorporate sustainability into my printing practice, I thrift items that I am able to print on and release them as one of one prints. This is one of my absolute favorite parts of running this shop! I have always been an avid thrifter, and I love giving old clothing a new life and style!

<3

I am always trying to improve my process and my products.

Please let me know if you have any more questions or if there’s anything else I can clarify by emailing me at ojorohdoll@gmail.com or submitting a message through my contact form!  

-jayne / ojoroh :)