| UV printing | Full CMYK colour, white underbase on dark surfaces, optional varnish. | Plastics, metal, wood, glass, PU leather — flat or slightly curved surfaces. | yes |
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| DTG | Full colour; on dark garments with a white underbase. | Cotton and cotton-rich fabrics. | yes |
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| Sublimation | Full colour, including photographs. | White or light polyester fabrics and sublimation-coated products only. | yes |
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| Digital heat transfer | Full colour and gradients, also on dark fabrics. | Cotton, polyester, blends, nylon. | yes |
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| Doming | Full colour. | Flat surfaces: metal, plastic, wood. | no |
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| Pad printing | Pantone colours; each colour needs its own plate and pass. | Plastics, metal, glass, rubber. | no |
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| Screen printing | Pantone colours; a separate screen for each colour. | Paper, plastics, glass, metal; flat and cylindrical products. | no |
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| Textile screen printing | Pantone colours; on dark fabrics with a white underbase. | Cotton, polyester, blends. | no |
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| Heat transfer | Film colours, including metallic and reflective. | Textiles, nylon, polyester, coated materials. | yes |
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| Ceramic decal | Pantone colours, also gold and platinum. | Porcelain, ceramics, glass. | no |
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| Laser engraving | One; the colour comes from the material: silver on anodised aluminium, dark on wood and bamboo, frosted on glass. | Anodised aluminium, steel, wood, bamboo, leather, PU leather, glass. | yes |
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| Embossing | No colour or foil colour. | Leather, PU leather, paper, card. | no |
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| Machine embroidery | Several to over a dozen thread colours in one design. | Cotton, fleece, softshell, knitwear, cap fabrics. | no |
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| Labels and tags | Depends on type: woven — thread colours, printed — full colour. | Woven tape, satin, card. | no |
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