How Ocean Blue Graphics Ensures Long Lasting Screen Prints

Creating durable, vibrant screen printed apparel is essential for businesses, teams, events, and designers who want their t shirts, hats, and gear to stand the test of time. Whether it’s for a corporate uniform, a fishing tournament in South Florida, or promotional merchandise, long lasting prints maintain brand visibility and customer satisfaction. Ocean Blue Graphics, a South Florida leader in screen printing for over 20 years, has mastered the art of producing apparel that resists fading, cracking, and peeling. This guide explores how Ocean Blue Graphics ensures long lasting screen prints through expert techniques, quality assurance, and a focus on factors like ink types, curing processes, and fabric selection.

Why Durable Screen Prints Matter

Screen printed apparel is a powerful branding tool, but only if the prints remain vibrant and intact through repeated wear and washing. Poorly executed prints can fade, crack, or peel, diminishing the garment’s appeal and reflecting poorly on your brand or event. Ocean Blue Graphics understands this, delivering prints that withstand the rigors of daily use, as praised by clients like John Morejohn for their “killer art” and Tommy Marone for unmatched workmanship. Durable prints offer:

• Brand Longevity: Vibrant logos keep your business or event visible for years.
• Cost Efficiency: Long lasting apparel reduces the need for frequent reprints.
• Customer Satisfaction: High quality prints enhance wearer confidence, as seen in Ocean Blue Graphics’s loyal following.

Key Factors Influencing Screen Print Durability

Ocean Blue Graphics employs a meticulous process to ensure print longevity. Here are the critical factors they focus on, with technical insights to educate customers:

1. Ink Selection: Plastisol vs. Water Based Inks

The choice of ink significantly impacts print durability and feel. Ocean Blue Graphics offers two primary options:

• Plastisol Inks: These PVC based inks are the industry standard for durability. They create a thick, vibrant layer that adheres strongly to fabrics, resisting fading and cracking. Ideal for cotton and cotton poly blends, plastisol is used for bold designs like the TRUMP MARLIN WHITE PERFORMANCE HAT.
• Water Based Inks: These eco friendly inks penetrate the fabric, creating a soft, breathable print. While less thick than plastisol, they offer excellent wash resistance when properly cured, making them perfect for lightweight or performance fabrics.

Quality Assurance: Ocean Blue Graphics matches inks to garment types and uses Pantone color matching to ensure vibrant, consistent hues. Specialty inks, like metallic or puff, add unique effects while maintaining durability.

2. Curing Process

Proper curing is critical to bond ink to fabric, preventing cracking or peeling. Ocean Blue Graphics uses advanced curing techniques:

• Conveyor Dryer: Shirts pass through a high temperature dryer (320°F for plastisol, 300°F for water based) for 30 to 60 seconds, ensuring the ink fully cures without scorching the fabric.
• Temperature Control: Precise heat settings prevent under curing (which causes peeling) or over curing (which can fade colors).
• Multi Layer Curing: For multi color designs, flash cure units dry each layer before the next is applied, ensuring adhesion without smudging.

Quality Assurance: Ocean Blue Graphics tests cured prints for adhesion using wash tests, ensuring they withstand 50+ wash cycles.

3. Ink Bonding and Printing Pressure

The strength of the ink’s bond to the fabric depends on printing pressure and technique:

• Squeegee Pressure: Ocean Blue Graphics calibrates squeegees to apply optimal pressure, forcing ink through the screen mesh into the fabric’s fibers. Too little pressure results in weak adhesion; too much can distort the design.
• Screen Mesh Count: Higher mesh counts (e.g., 230 for detailed designs) ensure precise ink application, while lower counts (e.g., 110 for bold logos) allow more ink for vibrant prints.
• Multiple Passes: For thick prints, multiple squeegee passes ensure deep ink penetration, enhancing durability.

Quality Assurance: Automated presses at Ocean Blue Graphics ensure consistent pressure and alignment, as praised by Chuck Sharp for their fast, high quality turnarounds.

4. Fabric Selection and Garment Matching

The right fabric enhances print longevity and wearer comfort. Ocean Blue Graphics offers a range of options:

• Cotton: Ideal for plastisol inks, cotton provides a strong base for vibrant, durable prints, perfect for event tees.
• Cotton Poly Blends: These offer a balance of comfort and durability, suitable for both plastisol and water based inks.
• Performance Polyester: Used for fishing shirts and hats like the Gulf of America Hat, polyester pairs well with water based or sublimation prints for breathability and fade resistance.
• Pre Treatment: Fabrics are pre washed or treated to remove oils and ensure ink adhesion.

Quality Assurance: Ocean Blue Graphics tests fabric ink compatibility to prevent issues like dye migration, where dark fabrics bleed into light prints.

5. Wash Resistance and Fading Prevention

To ensure prints withstand repeated washing, Ocean Blue Graphics implements:

• Proper Curing: Fully cured inks resist cracking and fading, even after 50+ washes.
• Washing Instructions: Recommend washing inside out in cold water with mild detergent to preserve prints. Ocean Blue Graphics includes care tags with each order.
• UV Resistant Inks: Plastisol and water based inks are formulated with UV inhibitors to prevent fading from sun exposure, critical for outdoor events like fishing tournaments.

Quality Assurance: Each batch is tested for wash resistance, ensuring prints remain vibrant, as noted by Tommy Marone’s praise for their “excellent workmanship.”

6. Color Retention

Maintaining vibrant colors over time requires precise techniques:

• Pantone Matching: Ocean Blue Graphics uses Pantone colors to ensure consistent hues across prints.
• Base Layers: For dark fabrics, a white underbase is applied before colored inks, enhancing vibrancy and preventing fading.
• Ink Thickness: Controlled ink application ensures bold colors without overloading, which can cause cracking.

Quality Assurance: Post print inspections verify color accuracy, ensuring every shirt matches the approved mockup.

The Ocean Blue Graphics Process for Durable Prints

Ocean Blue Graphics follows a rigorous process to deliver long lasting screen prints:

1. Design Consultation: Work with their in house artists to create or refine your design, ensuring print ready files (e.g., .ai, .eps).
2. Mockup Approval: Review digital mockups to confirm colors, placement, and garment choice.
3. Screen Setup: Create high resolution film positives and burn screens with precise mesh counts for your design.
4. Ink and Fabric Matching: Select inks and fabrics tailored to your project, ensuring compatibility and durability.
5. Printing and Curing: Use automated presses and conveyor dryers for consistent, fully cured prints.
6. Quality Control: Inspect each shirt for alignment, color accuracy, and adhesion before packing.
7. Delivery: Ship orders in 4 7 business days, with same day or next day options available, as praised by Chuck Sharp.

Maintenance Tips for Long Lasting Prints

To maximize print longevity:

• Wash Properly: Turn shirts inside out, use cold water, and avoid harsh detergents.
• Avoid High Heat: Air dry or use low heat settings to prevent cracking or fading.
• Store Carefully: Keep shirts away from direct sunlight to maintain color vibrancy.
• Follow Care Instructions: Adhere to the care tags provided by Ocean Blue Graphics.

Conclusion

Creating long lasting screen printed apparel requires expertise in ink selection, curing, fabric matching, and printing techniques. Ocean Blue Graphics delivers exceptional durability and vibrancy, ensuring your t shirts, hats, and gear stand out for years. With a 20 year legacy, fast turnarounds, and a commitment to quality, they’re the trusted choice for businesses, teams, and events in South Florida. Start your custom apparel project today by contacting Ocean Blue Graphics and experience their unmatched craftsmanship firsthand. Contact us today to get started

FAQs About Durable Screen Printed Apparel