Below are the most frequently asked questions related to our decorations and that your clients will ask!
Multimedia Embossing:
What exactly is embossing or debossing and what’s the difference?
Washability, How long will it last?
What does this Bossback feel like on the skin?
What materials can I emboss on?
Crystallization:
How long do the designs last on the garment?
What kind of artwork do you accept?
How long does it take to get the transfers?
What are the different qualities of stones?
How long does it last in the wash?
What fabrics work with Rhinstone Heat Transfers?
What fabrics will not work with Rhinestone Heat Transfers?
3D Laser Appliqué & Etching
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What’s the difference between appliqué as I knew it before and now? On What garments is this most used? How do these decorations wash? Will I alienate my regular embroidery supplier by doing this? |
Multimedia Embossing:
What exactly is embossing or debossing and what’s the difference? top
Embossing is simply the use of a metal die, heat, time and pressure. The garment or item is squeezed for a few seconds at a custom setting and the image is transferred forever into the product.
Embossing is raising up, debossing is pressing down- D for Down!
Washability, How long will it last? top
Embossing is permanent. Because we use a specially made product called Bossback that goes on the underside of the garment or leather, it retains its shape for life.
What does this Bossback feel like on the skin? top
This backing is actually nicer on the skin than embroidery there are no hanging threads and its software than most embroidery backings, plus it gets softer with every wash. On leather jackets and soft-shell jackets it’s never an issue!
What materials can I emboss on? top
We use Permaboss NGE hydraulic embossing presses only. Because of this we can decorate on on the following: Acetate, Acryl, Cotton, Fleece, Flock, Foil, Leather, Linen, Lycra, Melton, Neoprene, Nylon, Polar Fleece, Paper, Plastic, Polyacryl, Polyamide, Polyester, Polypropylene, Polyurethane, Polyvinyl, Polyvinlyclorid, PVC, Rubber, Silk, Viscose, Wool, and a host of other unique items.
What are the setup costs? top
Embossing or debossing requires a die. Left chest or left sleeve is a flat rate of $145.00. This is guaranteed to last forever. It is a onetime cost. Leather embossing dies are not the same as textile embossing dies. Debossing dies typically are the same technique but the decoration is far more attractive when the logo come up out of the product- embossing!
Larger full front dies are based on cost. Typically just under $225 for a long narrow word to $325 for a huge round 9-10” logo. This is almost only used on denim jackets!
What are the running costs? top
Please contact us for a current price list. But typical costs can start in the $1.75 range for gloves (100 piece minimum) Under $3.00 for left chest or sleeve embossing or debossing.
$7.00 range for full front or back.
Crystallization:
Do you have stock designs? top
Our focus is specifically not to offer stock design suppliers, our goal is to offer you custom designs in short time frames in all kinds of volumes from a few dozen to several thousand. The key is IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. So short in fact, that overseas and out of country can’t compete with this level of service and other people can’t compete with you because your designs are unique and individual.
How long do the designs last on the garment? top
They generally last the lifetime of the garment, just as long as screen-printing or embroidery. It also really depends on who is applying the transfer and if the heat press machine is in good working order or not! If we press it we guarantee it, if you press it, we don’t! If you have a defective or ancient heat press you cannot expect the same long lasting results as with a heat press in perfect working order.
What kinds of artwork do you accept? top
The better the original artwork the quicker the results.
Ideal: AI vector file converted to curves. Tiff, Jpeg or Bitmap (only if Hi Resolution) will require artwork time to convert Artwork is billed at $55/hr
If you are a MAC user the artwork can only be accepted as a PDF or EPS only.
How much does a design cost? top
Min order is 24 pieces. Typically a left chest design uses around 300 stones costs under $5.00 at the 48 piece range. Large, complex designs in low quantities can be over $15.00 each
What colors can I get? top
There are many different colors available in rhinestones, rhinestuds and nailheads. The rhinestones are translucent and the rhinestuds nailheads are shiny and opaque. All of the basic commonly used colors are available such as red, blue, pink, white, black, green, yellow, silver and gold. There is also a selection of more unusual colors. You should consult a color chart before choosing the colors you would like to use.
How long does it take to get the transfers? top
On an average sized order, the turnaround is 4-5 business days plus shipping (your choice of service). A rush 48 hour service is available for a 30% surcharge. On large orders over 500 pieces, please contact us for a time estimation as it fluctuates based on current production volume.
What are the different qualities of stones? top
We use the highest quality glass crystal but you can specify Machine Cut or Swarovski crystals and get a custom quote. Machine Cut is typically 2-3 times more expensive in material costs and Swarovski is 10 times higher in material cost!
Swarovski Crystal is the Rolls Royce, Machine Cut Crystal is the BMW and Glass Crystal is the almost Cadillac.
Rhinestuds are the shape of rhinestones but made out of aluminum and therefore opaque (they are made to resemble rhinestones at a more economical price). Nailheads are flat and also made out of aluminum.
How long does it last in the wash? top
Provided that the proper application instructions and washing instructions are followed, the stones will last the life of the garment. If you are applying the transfers, please request a transfer guide. The care instructions are cold wash inside out and lay flat to dry. Most people don't follow that rule anyways but not to worry, the proper application will endure the worst of habits!
How Do I apply the transfers? top
We only use the iDek heat presses. See www.HeatpreS.com Ironing -temperature 170°C - 200°C (338°F - 392°F)
Pressing time 20 - 30sec 16-20 when inside out!
Pressure ca.0.3-0.5 kg/cm2 (4.3 PSI - 7.1 PSI)
What Fabrics Work with Rhinestone Heat Transfers? top
Washable fabrics that you can hand iron will work. Cotton, polyester, blends, denim, ultra-suede, T-shirts, sweatshirts, dress shirts, uniforms, scrubs, socks, cotton or wool sweaters you name it!
What Fabrics Will Not Work with Rhinestone Heat Transfers? top
Fabrics that are affected negatively by heat or that damage for ironing will not work. Typically things like smooth velvet, acrylic or silk sweaters, polyamide, PVC, fabrics with silicone or wax finish, and some rayon fabrics. Please use your common sense!!
Pre-test these fabrics using Teflon as a protection first. If you need to order Teflon you can by calling Permaboss.com Inc. 905-713-6514. Rhinestones will not stick to non-porous surfaces such as glass, plastic, rubber, metal, or leather- (because of the oil or paint/pigment it won’t be permanent and the temperature required to activate the glue with scorch the leather).
Finally, remember to ask for smaller stones in designs that will go onto stretchy material, it will look better and last longer than large stones on stretchy materials.
NOTE: Since application methods, equipment, fabrics and products vary, we are not responsible for application of transfers onto your products.
3D Laser Appliqué & Etching
What is laser embroidery? top
Laser embroidery is the use of a laser to cut materials live on the garment out of a swatch of material instead of trying to place letters individually by hand. This is a precise operation and the laser can do things that no human hand can do, not to mention the perfect repeatability that no human hand can offer!
What’s the difference between appliqué as I knew it before and now? top
In the past only felt and tackle twill and large collegiate team like lettering was possible. Today incredible details down to a few mm wide can be incorporated into a logo and all kinds of great materials can be used to express the logos in very unique an different ways. This technology is also regarded at the technology that gives the distressed and relaxed look when desired.
What is laser etching? top
This is the process of using the laser to vaporize materials or the surface of an item be it a portfolio or gift wear. Now this technology has transferred itself onto the embroidery machine and we can laser etch all kinds of synthetics like micro fleece, polar fleece. This does not work on naturals as naturals that are laser etched will behave the same way denim would after you damage it and then wash it. So it needs to be on mircro fleece products, towel, blankets, vests, jackets, bags etc.
On What garments is this most used? top
There are different looks, there is corporate with simple effective duplication of logos using matching tackle twills. There is a relaxed look on sweats and shirts left chest mostly using felts. And there is the collegiate Hollister Abercrombie look on hoodies using naturals that fray and distress more with each wash. I like to call it “all the stuff my Mom would never let me wear and destroy if she ever saw I did!” But heck, today we pay 300 bucks for jeans with holes in them!
What is laser etching? top
Laser etching is the vaporization of the top layer of fuzz or material. Just enough to score or brand the item with the image. It’s a pretty quick and classy decoration that people just love to touch. It’s only to be used on synthetic materials!
How do these decorations wash? top
Same as embroidery or screen printing. In the case of tackle twills, it remains the same always because the laser actually melts it a bit and so call cauterizes or seals it. Same goes for felt. But if you do a reverse appliqué or cotton twill appliqué it will distress more with each wash. The more a person washes it the more is gets stressed. So in a short time after delivery each piece starts looking different based on how often its worn and washed!
What are some typical costs? top
Costs are similar to embroidery and in some cases way more cost effective. The point is to offer what your competition can’t, what your client has not seen before and can’t get just anywhere else anytime soon!
When it comes to full front designs, your budget won’t be able to deal with the cost of full front stitch outs done here in north America. Plus if it’s not done really well on a garment that gets lots of washing, traditional embroidery looks like hell afterwards as it start to pull and warp and shrink (I’m talking about high stitch count, lots of fill embroidery). Here is where appliqué shines! It’s really cost effective, you will probably never see a charge over $15 for the most complex full front design!
Will I alienate my regular embroidery supplier by doing this? top
Honestly, in this current market where advertising and promotional budgets have been drastically slashed and considering there are too many embroidery shops in general, I guess any business you don’t give them will bother the weak ones. But typically if you are doing something they can’t offer then no it shouldn’t be an issue. Besides they can get the same technology just as easy as we did. It was a conscious decision to specifically NOT offer traditional printing and embroidery, we didn’t want to complete with them in the first place!