Learning hub

A repeat is a single tile of your design that we print over and over to cover a continuous length of fabric. The repeat size (for example 250 × 250 mm) is the physical dimension of that tile on the cloth.

Layout matters: a straight repeat lines tiles up edge to edge; a half-drop shifts every second column down by half a tile; a brick shifts every second row across. Half-drop and brick hide the grid and feel more organic, which is why they suit florals and abstract prints.

For a seamless result your artwork must tile cleanly, the right edge has to continue into the left, and the top into the bottom. If it doesn't, you'll see a visible seam every repeat.

Supply artwork at the final print size at 150 dpi or higher (300 dpi is ideal for fine detail). A small image stretched to fabric width will look soft or pixelated.

Use CMYK where you can, and flatten your file. Send a single tile set up as a seamless repeat, we print exactly the file you approve, so it should already be stepped, scaled and coloured the way you want it.

Accepted formats are TIFF, high-quality PNG or JPG, PDF, and the layered formats AI, EPS and PSD. Avoid screenshots, web images, or files pulled from social media.

GSM is grams per square metre, the weight of the fabric. Lower GSM is lighter and more drapey; higher GSM is heavier and more structured.

As a rough guide: 80 to 140 GSM suits scarves, linings and flowy dresses; 140 to 220 GSM suits shirting, activewear and swimwear; 240 GSM and up suits hoodies, joggers and upholstery.

GSM affects both feel and how ink sits, heavier knits can need different settings, which is why a strike-off sample is worth doing on a new fabric.

We price per linear metre at a given fabric width. A wider fabric fits more of your design across the roll, so you may need fewer metres for the same total area, which can lower your cost.

If your repeat doesn't divide neatly into the fabric width you'll get wasted edges, paid for but unused. Designing to the usable width keeps cost down.

Tell us the finished panels or yardage you need and we'll work out the most efficient layout.

We print using dye sublimation, which bonds the ink directly into polyester fibres. The result is permanent and soft to the touch, with no surface layer or cracking, ideal for all-over prints on activewear, swimwear, scarves, decor and flags.

Because the ink becomes part of the fabric, colours stay vivid through washing and stretching. That's also why we print on polyester and polyester-based fabrics only, sublimation needs polyester to bond to.

If your project is cotton-based, the artwork can often still work beautifully on a polyester equivalent, chat to us and we'll suggest the right base.

Hoodies & joggers: brushed poly or poly-cotton French terry, 240 to 320 GSM, for warmth and structure.

Sportswear & leggings: stretch poly-spandex or interlock, 180 to 240 GSM, with four-way stretch and good recovery.

Swimwear: poly-spandex, 190 to 220 GSM, chlorine-resistant where possible.

Scarves & dresses: light poly satin, chiffon or crepe, 80 to 140 GSM, for drape.

Not sure? Order a sample pack or use our build assistant and we'll point you to the right base.

Your screen emits light (RGB) while fabric reflects it (CMYK), so the two never match exactly, bright blues, greens and neons are the hardest to reproduce.

Fabric type changes the result too: the same ink looks deeper on a dense knit and lighter on an open weave. Lighting where you view it also shifts the appearance.

If colour is critical (brand colours, Pantone matching), ask for a strike-off sample first so we can confirm the result on your actual fabric before the full run.