Screen Printing is a printing technique involving the passage of inks through a web or screen stretched on a frame to which a stencil has been applied. The stencil holes/openings determine the form and dimensions of the resulting imprint. Different colors require separate screens layered on each other to form the final imprint. Screen printing usually requires a minimum quantity of 50 to be cost effective. Setup charge and cost per imprint are determined by the number of colors used.

Is screen printing environmentally friendly?
Depends. There are several types of inks and dyes currently being used in the industry. The trend is toward water-based inks which are more environmentally friendly. However, the current industry standard is plastisol-based inks. These inks last a relatively long time, but are susceptible to cracking over time. The more environmentally friendly water-based inks tend to be less viscous and sink into fabrics when applied. This tends to make them last longer but it also makes imprints less sharp and opaque. If you have a preference, please indicate it in the "Special Instructions" section when ordering. Otherwise, Buzz Factory will make a determination on which ink to use based on the detail of the imprint and the product on which it will be applied.

How durable is screen printing?
Screen printing is the second most durable imprint type behind embroidery. The inks used and where it is applied will affect the wear and life characteristics of an imprint. But if cared for properly, screen printing may last for many years. Drying screen printed items in the dryer tends to shorten the life of the imprint.

Why do I have to pay a setup charge for each color?
Each color requires a separate screen, the application of extra layer(s), and additional curing time to arrive at the final product.

Do I have to pay another setup charge if I want to reorder the same imprinted product?
There are a reduced setup charges on reorders if the desired imprint is the same size and color. Simply indicate in the special instructions section that you are reordering the same imprint as on a previous order. Buzz Factory will reduce your total accordingly. The reduced charge will appear on your Order Confirmation when you receive your proofs via email.>/p>

Are there size restrictions on screen printing?
Yes. The maximum size is usually determined by the promotional product you wish to imprint. Most promotional products allow imprinting in the most desired sizes and locations. Minimum sizes are usually governed by the detail and number of colors of the imprint. Embroidery may be a more suitable option for smaller imprints depending on the imprint design and the application. Buzz Factory will make every attempt to satisfy your desired specs. However, we will alert you if we see any potential issues with your desired specs and recommend fixes.

How do I order a screen printed product from Buzz Factory?
Surf our store for a promotional product that suits your needs. From the product page, enter the desired number of blank products on the "Order Quantity" line, ensuring it meets the minimum order quantity listed in the description.

Next select one of the "Screen Print" options from the "Cost Per Imprint" drop down menu. (If unsure, either call Customer Service for help or let us recommend number of colors for you by entering "please make number of colors recommendation" in the "Special Instructions" section. You will get a chance to see and approve it when you receive your proof.) Then enter the number of imprints desired. This number should equal the "Order Quantity." By doing this, you are ordering an imprint on each of your blank products.

Next select one of the "Screen Print" options from the "Imprint Setup Charge" drop down menu. The selection here should match your selection under "cost Per Imprint. The quantity will default to 1 as this is a one-time charge.

Finally, select your imprint size and location (if applicable). These variables are limited by the promotional product itself. Use the size of the product as a guide to determine the size of your imprint. If unsure, either call Customer Service for help or let us recommend a size and location for you by entering "please make a size/location recommendation" in the "Special Instructions" section. You will get a chance to see and approve it when you receive your proof.

Embroidery is decorative stitching on fabric. It generally involves logo designs, but can also include lettering or monogramming. Embroidery is made by first "digitizing" your imprint design. This digital program is then loaded onto the embroidery machine's computer. Then the blank products are affixed to the sewing heads and the program is run. Minimums are determined by the minimum order quantity of a respective product. Setup charge and cost per imprint are determined by the size of the imprint.

Is embroidery environmentally friendly?
Yes. It is arguably the most environmentally friendly imprint type. It uses minimal, if any chemicals and results in minimal waste. Embroidery is the most recommended imprint type by Buzz Factory.

How durable is embroidery?
Embroidery is the most durable of all imprint types. It is also considered the highest quality and prized most by consumers. Embroidery will typically last the life of the fabric on which it's applied.

Why is there a setup charge for embroidery?
There is a one-time setup charge to digitize the imprint. There is no setup charge on reorders as long as the imprint size and colors remain the same and there is no additional charge for multiple colors. If you are reordering an embroidered item, simply indicate in the special instructions section that you are reordering the same imprint as on a previous order. Buzz Factory will reduce your total accordingly. The reduced charge will appear on your Order Confirmation when you receive your proofs via email.

Do I have to pay another setup charge if I want to reorder the same imprint on a product?
There is no setup charge on reorders as long as the imprint size and colors remain the same. If you are reordering an embroidered item, simply indicate in the special instructions section that you are reordering the same imprint as on a previous order. Buzz Factory will reduce your total accordingly. The reduced charge will appear on your Order Confirmation when you receive your proofs via email.

Are there size restrictions on embroidery?
Yes. The maximum size is usually determined by the promotional product you wish to imprint. Most promotional products allow imprinting in the most desired sizes and locations. Minimum sizes are usually governed by the detail of the imprint. Buzz Factory will make every attempt to satisfy your desired specs. However, we will alert you if we see any potential issues with your desired specs and recommend fixes.

How do I order an embroidered product from Buzz Factory?
Surf our store for a promotional product that suits your needs. From the product page, enter the desired number of blank products on the "Order Quantity" line, ensuring it meets the minimum order quantity listed in the description.

Next select one of the "Embroidery" options from the "Cost Per Imprint" drop down menu. (If unsure, either call Customer Service for help or let us recommend an imprint size for you by entering "please make size recommendation" in the "Special Instructions" section. You will get a chance to see and approve it when you receive your proof.) Then enter the number of imprints desired. This number should equal the "Order Quantity." By doing this, you are ordering an imprint on each of your blank products.

Next select one of the "Embroidery" option from the "Imprint Setup Charge" drop down menu. The quantity will default to 1 as this is a one-time charge.

Finally, select your imprint size and location (if applicable). These variables are limited by the promotional product itself. Use the size of the product as a guide to determine the size of your imprint. If unsure, either call Customer Service for help or let us recommend a size and location for you by entering "please make a size/location recommendation" in the "Special Instructions" section. You will get a chance to see and approve it when you receive your proof.

In the heat transfer process, an Image is screen printed on a transfer paper which is then laid directly on the product to be imprinted. The image is then transferred from the paper to the product through the use of heat and pressure. Heat transfers work best on cotton and cotton blends. It is also recommended for imprinting on darker colors as it reduces the "bleed" of the darker color through the imprint. This process also increases the flexibility of the imprint. However, the life of the imprint tends to be shorter than screen printing directly onto garments. Heat transfers usually require a minimum quantity of 50 to be cost effective. Setup charge and cost per imprint are determined by the number of colors used.

Are heat transfers environmentally friendly?
Depends. There are several types of inks and dyes currently being used in the industry. The trend is toward water-based inks which are more environmentally friendly. However, the current industry standard is plastisol-based inks. These inks last a relatively long time, but are susceptible to cracking over time. The more environmentally friendly water-based inks tend to be less viscous and sink into fabrics when applied. This tends to make them last longer but it also makes imprints less sharp and opaque. If you have a preference, please indicate it in the "Special Instructions" section when ordering. Otherwise, Buzz Factory will make a determination on which ink to use based on the detail of the imprint and the product on which it will be applied.

How durable are heat transfers?
Heat transfers have comparable durability to screen printing. The inks used and where it is applied will affect the wear and life characteristics of an imprint. But if cared for properly, heat transfers may last for many years. Drying heat transfered items in the dryer tends to shorten the life of the imprint.

Why do I have to pay a setup charge for each color?
Each color requires a separate screen, the application of extra layer(s), and additional curing time to arrive at the final product.

Do I have to pay another setup charge if I want to reorder the same imprinted product?
There are a reduced setup charges on reorders if the desired imprint is the same size and color. Simply indicate in the special instructions section that you are reordering the same imprint as on a previous order. Buzz Factory will reduce your total accordingly. The reduced charge will appear on your Order Confirmation when you receive your proofs via email.

Are there size restrictions on heat transfers?
Yes. The maximum size is usually determined by the promotional product you wish to imprint. Most promotional products allow imprinting in the most desired sizes and locations. Minimum sizes are usually governed by the detail and number of colors of the imprint. Embroidery may be a more suitable option for smaller imprints depending on the imprint design and the application. Buzz Factory will make every attempt to satisfy your desired specs. However, we will alert you if we see any potential issues with your desired specs and recommend fixes.

How do I order a heat transfered product from Buzz Factory?
Surf our store for a promotional product that suits your needs. From the product page, enter the desired number of blank products on the "Order Quantity" line, ensuring it meets the minimum order quantity listed in the description.

Next select one of the "Heat Transfer" options from the "Cost Per Imprint" drop down menu. (If unsure, either call Customer Service for help or let us recommend number of colors for you by entering "please make number of colors recommendation" in the "Special Instructions" section. You will get a chance to see and approve it when you receive your proof.) Then enter the number of imprints desired. This number should equal the "Order Quantity." By doing this, you are ordering an imprint on each of your blank products.

Next select one of the "Heat Transfer" options from the "Imprint Setup Charge" drop down menu. The selection here should match your selection under "cost Per Imprint. The quantity will default to 1 as this is a one-time charge.

Finally, select your imprint size and location (if applicable). These variables are limited by the promotional product itself. Use the size of the product as a guide to determine the size of your imprint. If unsure, either call Customer Service for help or let us recommend a size and location for you by entering "please make a size/location recommendation" in the "Special Instructions" section. You will get a chance to see and approve it when you receive your proof.