Screen Printing for Performance Elastics: Durability Meets Bold Branding
Screen printing at ECI Elastic is the industry standard for high-durability, high-stretch branding on narrow fabrics. Designed to withstand the rigors of athleisure and performance sportswear, our screen printing process delivers bold, saturated colors with exceptional wash-fastness. By utilizing specialized ink formulations—including reflective and high-density options—we ensure your brand's visual identity remains sharp and intact, even when the elastic is under maximum tension.
The examples below represent just a few of our screen printing solutions. We're ready to meet your specific design and performance needs.
About Our Screen Printing Process
At ECI, we treat screen printing as a technical engineering process rather than a simple surface treatment. Our vertically integrated approach allows us to match the specific elasticity of the base tape with the "elongation profile" of our inks. This synergy ensures that the print moves in total harmony with the fabric.
Technical Principles of ECI Screen Printing:
Ink-Elasticity Matching
We utilize high-elongation plastisol and silicone-based inks that are chemically engineered to high stretch without cracking or peeling.
High-Opacity Saturation
Our precision mesh screens allow for heavy ink deposit, ensuring vibrant "true-color" results on dark substrates—essential for bold waistband branding.
Specialized Aesthetics
Beyond standard colors, we offer functional screen prints, including Reflective (for safety), High-Density (for 3D texture), and Glow-in-the-Dark finishes.
Thermal Curing Mastery
Each printed tape passes through temperature-controlled infrared dryers to "lock" the ink into the fibers, ensuring industrial-grade wash-fastness and abrasion resistance.
Top Questions About Screen Printing of Narrow Fabrics
No. ECI uses specialized "high-stretch" ink additives specifically designed for the performance apparel market. These inks are tested to ensure they expand and contract alongside the polyester and elastane fibers, maintaining a smooth, professional finish throughout the life of the garment.
Yes. While screen printing is best known for bold blocks of color, our high-tension mesh technology allows for crisp lines and clear typography. For extremely intricate, photographic-quality graphics, we may recommend our Digital Printing solutions as an alternative.
Our reflective process (as seen in Item S10050) incorporates microscopic glass beads into the ink carrier. When light hits the tape, it reflects back to the source, making it a critical safety feature for running and outdoor sportswear without adding the bulk of a separate reflective strip.
Absolutely. We frequently apply screen printing to our R-PET (Recycled Polyester) base tapes. Additionally, we offer PVC-free and phthalate-free ink options to ensure your products meet the highest global CSR and environmental standards.
We can screen print on a wide range of widths, typically starting from 10mm (approx. 0.4 inches) up to 100mm+. Our engineering team can help you determine the optimal print area based on the specific "dead-zone" requirements of your garment construction.