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Vintage Screen Printing

Want that worn-in, faded look? Vintage printing may be what you're looking for! Vintage printing uses reduced inks to create a washed, worn-out effect by thinning the ink with a reducer additive. The amount used depends on ink colour, desired look, and fabric type.

A bonus of reduced ink is its lighter feel, sitting smoothly on the fabric for a soft, comfortable wear that ages beautifully over time. This is especially beneficial if you have a large print that covers a wide surface area as this will make it much more comfortable to wear, especially on thinner shirts.

Reduced Ink Opacity

The level of fading and softness in your design depends on the percentage of reducer added to the ink. White ink is typically 30% reduced, while coloured inks require less, depending on their brightness. Let us know exactly what you’re going for and we can help pick the right amount of reduction to add for your design. It should be noted that due to the nature of reduced inks, Pantone matching is not possible

Best Garments for Reduced Ink

Vintage printing works best on darker, blended, heathered fabrics, where the speckled texture shows through the print, enhancing the worn-in look. This happens because the shirt’s dye slightly migrates into the ink, blending the colours naturally. These fabrics are also lighter in weight, making them ideal for vintage printing, as the thinner ink sits softly on the fabric. On lighter shirts with darker reduced ink, the effect is more subtle. While the ink appears more solid, it still mutes the colour, giving black ink a slightly greyish tone, for example.

Distressed Effect

Enhance your vintage look by adding a distressed or “cracked” effect to your design. We offer a variety of distressed textures—just let us know, and we can apply the effect to your logo for an authentic, worn-in style.