This is a short explanation of the print techniques offered in Autonaut shops:
Plot vinyl (flex/flock)
Plot print is a vinyl that is cut and then melted on to the garment by heat and pressure. The quality is supreme and will likely outlast the fabric. However, there are limitations to the number of colours (a maximum of three clean colours) and the complexity of the graphic. The vinyl comes in two variants: Flex has a smooth surface, while flock has a raised, textured feel to it.
Only Autonaut @ Spreadshirt offer products with plot print.
Digital Direct (Direct to garment, DTG)
Using the Digital Direct technique, colors are printed directly onto the shirt with a high-tech ink-jet printer. The look, feel and quality is close to silkscreening.
Spreadshirt, Zazzle and CafePress Autonaut shops offer DTG prints.
Not offered:
• Screen printing is the traditional way of printing on T-shirts, and offer good quality. The startup costs of each graphic is high, however, and is thus not possible for Autonaut’s vast range of motifs and low turnover for each motif.
• Spreadshirt also offer digital transfers, which is prints cut and than pressed onto the garment. Autonaut do not offer and cannot recommend using digital transfers, as the quality is not up to Autonaut’s standard.