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WHAT IS SCREEN PRINTING?

Screen printing is a technique that uses a finely meshed screen to transfer ink onto fabric, creating bold, long-lasting designs. This method allows for vibrant colors, sharp details, and a high-quality finish that stands the test of time.

The Process

1. The artwork is separated by color and printed onto transparent film, creating negatives of the design.

2. These film negatives are placed on a mesh screen and exposed to light in a darkroom. The light hardens the unmasked areas while the design remains open, forming a stencil.

3. Ink is then pressed through the open areas of the screen onto the fabric, transferring the design with precision and durability.

With Over 15 Techniques to Choose From

Pressed Printing

General Information: Pressed Prints are plastisol prints that undergo an additional pressing process to achieve a sleek, ultra-smooth finish. We use two types of film to press prints, offering either a glossy or matte finish, based on the customer’s preference. Opacity: This technique is fully opaque, serving as a finishing touch rather than a transparent layer. Washability: Pressed prints have excellent durability. However, avoid ironing directly over the print to maintain its quality. Best Pairings: Pairs well with discharge printing and plastisol printing for enhanced effects. Best Suited For: Single Jersey & Poly Blends

Airtech Printing

General information: Airtech puff is another technique we created based off of on imported transfer. This also requires art modifications. Our artist makes the artwork up of little dots which ore printed in puff or high density for o harder more solid feel. Opacity: Airtech prints ore not transparent. Washability: Airtech print's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques: - Techniques that pair best with discharge: Plastisol. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Fleece • Poly Blends

Bevelled Printing

General information We created a bevelled technique by using artwork as well as a variety of our ink techniques to give the print a 3D look. Opacity - Bevelled prints are not transparent. Washability - Bevelled print's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with bevelled printing: Plastisol. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Fleece • Poly Blends

Discharge Printing

General information Discharge printing includes a bleaching link being printed onto 100% prepared for discharge dark base fabrics. Once cured, this ink draws the dye from the fabric, leaving only the raw fabric colour. This is used when a soft handle print is wanted on a dark base fabric. Once discharge, it can be left raw or water-based colours can be printed. Depending on the desired artwork. Opacity - This technique is done using the fabric. Washability - Discharge printing's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with discharge: water-based. Best Suited For: • 100% Cotton Single Jersey • 100% Cotton Fleece

Foiling

General information - • Foiling requires an adhesive to be printed onto the panel, foil blocks are cut to size and placed over the adhesive area, this then goes through the heat press. Once the foil block is peeled back, lt leaves foll on the adhesive area of the design only. • Our main foil colours are: gold, silver, gunmetal and rose gold. Opacity - Foil is not transparent. Washability - Foil's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with foil: water-based. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Fleece • DTY • Poly Blends

Embossing

General information - Embossing is a process which involves manufacturing a set of steal plates as per the desired artwork. These plates are attached to a heat press. A square block of silicone, the size of the steal plates is printed onto the panel as well a piece of polyester backing fabric. The backing fabric is laid over the plate with the panel on top of it, this is then pressed together which causes the silicone to fuse together and leave the plate impression on the panel. Opacity - This technique is done using the fabric. The silicone is transparent. Washability - Embossing's washability is very good when the correct silicone and backing fabrics are used. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with embossing: one (maximum 2) colour plastisol or puff depending on the design. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Poly Blends • Fleece

Faux Foiled Caviar

General information - Caviar beads are a costly technique. This process includes printing a clear adheseive onto the fabric, once cured, dipping the adhesive printed area onto tiny plastic beads called caviar beads, the print would be cured again and either left as is or foil can be pressed over. Our more affordable version is a much simpler process. In the art room we will rework the artwork to be made up of tiny dots of uneven sizes. This is then printed using a high density ink. Once cured, we pressed the print area with foil and achieve a faux foiled caviar effect. Opacity - This technique is not transparent. Washability - Faux foiled caviar's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with faux foiled caviar: plastisol, water-based, shimmer. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Poly Blends

Glitter Printing

General information • Glitter printing is a type of screen print where the plastisol ink is mixed with glitter flakes and a bigger silkscreen mesh is used which allows the flakes to come through the screen onto the fabric. • Our main glitter colours are: silver, gold, rose gold/copper and crystalline. Opacity - Glitter ink is mixed with plastisol ink, therefore the colours are solid and not transparent. Washability - Glitter ink's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with glitter printing: plastisol, puff, high density. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Poly Blends • Fleece • Microfleec

Gloss Printing

General information - • Gloss printing is achieved by layering a special type of clear ink over the print and curing it a certain way to ensure it remains glossy and does not dry matte. • The gloss con be layered to achieve a gel, jelly-like feel and look. • Gloss con also be used to created some unique patterns and textures over your design. Opacity - Gloss ink is completely transparent. Washability - Gloss print's woshobility is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with gloss printing: plastisol. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Poly Blends • Unbrushed fleece

High Density Printing

General information - • High density printing is a type of screenprint where the ink is mixed with a hardening agent and a thicker silkscreen mesh is used which allows the print to build up. The print is layered with ink until the desired height is achieved. • High density prints can be used for a rubber transfer effect. Opacity - High density ink is mixed with plastisol ink, therefore the colours are solid and not transparent. Washability - High density print's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with glitter printing: plastisol, shimmer, water-based, foil. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Poly Blends • Fleece • DTY

Plastisol Printing

General information - Plastisol is the most popular form of ink used in the screenprinting industry when it comes to garment placement printing. Plastisol is especially good for tonal printing. Opacity - Plastisol ink contains ingredients which allow the ink to sit on top of the fabric without being absorbed at all, so plastisol colours are very solid and not at all transparent. Washability - Plastisol ink's washability is excellent. It is an incredibly durable print technique. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - • Techniques that pair best with plastisol are: high density, puff, shimmer, glitter and gloss/wax. • There are also various techniques we have created using a mixture of plastisol and other techniques, such as: bevel, textured puff, textured gloss. Best Suited For: • Fleece (brushed or unbrushed) • Microfleece • Single Jersey • Poly blends • DTY • Ribbed • Birdseye

Printed Embroidery

General information - • We use the customer artwork and draw tiny stitch lines over the print which are then printed in a slightly hardened plastisol which give it the look and feel of embroidery stitching. • We can achieve this in glitter and shimmer options as well for a lurex finish. Opacity - Printed embroidery is not transparent. Washability - Embroidered print's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with discharge: Plastisol. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Fleece • Poly Blends

Puff Printing

General information - • Puff printing is a type of screenprint where the ink is mixed with a heat-activated foaming agent which causes the ink to puff once cured. Puff prints have a more rounded/ curved finish. • You can create some incredible textured prints using puff ink. Opacity - Puff ink is mixed with plastisol ink, therefore the colours are solid and not transparent. Washability - When cured correctly, puff ink's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with puff printing: plastisol, textures. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Poly Blends • Fleece • Microfleece

Soft Density Printing

General information - • Soft density printing is a type of screenprint which uses the same method as high density printing, the only difference being that the print is not built up as high. • Soft density prints are perfect for raising the finer details. Opacity - Soft density ink is mixed with plastisol ink, therefore the colours are solid and not transparent. Washability - Soft density print's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with glitter printing: plastisol, shimmer, waterbased, foil. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Poly Blends • Fleece • DTY

Shimmer Printing

General information - • Glitter printing is a type of screenprint where the plastisol ink is mixed with a fine shimmering powder. • Our main shimmer colours are: silver, gold, rose gold, however we can achieve a variety of shimmer colours in our dye mixing department such as charcoal, green, red, cerise, orange, blue. Opacity - Shimmer ink is mixed with plastisol ink, therefore the colours are solid and not transparent. Washability - Shimmer ink's washability is very good. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with glitter printing: plastisol, puff, high density. Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Poly Blends • Fleece • Microfleece • DTY

Soft-handle Plastisol Printing

General information - • Soft-handle plastisol is plastisol that has been mixed with a softening agent which, when done correctly, allows for a waterbased feel. • This technique is perfect for prints that have a lot of tones when the customer requests a soft print. Opacity - Soft plastisol colours are slightly transparent depending on the softness. Washability - Soft-handle plastisol ink's washability is excellent. It is an incredibly durable print technique. Print not to be ironed over. Additional Techniques - • Techniques that pair best with plastisol are: high density, puff, shimmer, glitter and gloss/wax. • There are also various techniques we have created using a mixture of plastisol and other techniques, such as: bevel, textured puff, textured gloss. Best Suited For: • Fleece (brushed or unbrushed) • Single Jersey • Poly blends

Water-based Printing

General information - Water-based inks use water as the main solvent for carrying pigment, making them an environmentally friendly print option. Water-based does not work well for printing tonal designs. Opacity - Water-based inks on darker based fabrics are limited in their vibrancy. Due to water being the active solvent, the colours are more transparent. Additional Techniques - Techniques that pair best with water-based are: high density, puff, shimmer, glitter, foil and discharge {100% cotton dark base fabrics) Best Suited For: • Single Jersey • Chiffon • Poly blends

Our Vision

At Pura Vida Print, we strive to empower both our customers and employees by providing innovative, practical, and affordable screen printing solutions. Our goal is to push the boundaries of quality and creativity while ensuring accessibility for all.

Our Mission

At Pura Vida Print, we deliver high-quality printed garments—on time, in full, and at the right price for both our customers and our company. We achieve this by upholding strict quality standards, investing in employee training, and fostering growth from within our team.

Capabilities

Pura Vida Print operates with 3 fully automated printing machines and a dedicated team of 28 skilled staff members, producing over 1,500 panels daily. Our commitment to efficiency and quality ensures that we meet high-volume demands without compromising on excellence.

Who is Pura Vida?

Founded in 1994 as Toxic Ink, our company has navigated the highs and lows of the textile printing and fashion industry for nearly 30 years.

In his early 20s, Dax Lamb discovered his passion for screen printing and launched Toxic Ink, a small business that quickly grew into one of Durban’s leading screen-printing companies—possibly even one of the most successful in South Africa. As demand for high-quality printed garments increased, so did our capabilities, expanding to offer a wide range of print techniques for fashion, corporate, and promotional solutions.

Around 20 years later, Dax made a pivotal decision to embrace sustainability. Toxic Ink evolved into Pura Vida Print, shifting towards eco-friendly practices. This transition included downsizing premises and equipment while bringing in fresh talent. It was during this time that Yvette Lamb joined as Director, taking over legal, HR, and accounting responsibilities—allowing Dax to focus on maintaining the highest standards in production quality.

Today, Dax remains a respected name in the industry, known for his expertise and commitment to excellence. With a highly skilled team, Pura Vida Print continues to deliver fair-priced, top-quality printing solutions to South Africa—built on experience, innovation, and sustainability.

Contact Us

031 533 8860

Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm