Flags are printed using large format automated silk screen printing machines. These printing machines allow us to produce each flag accurately and quickly, but due to the lengthy setup process we require a minimum order of 10 flags. Silkscreening is a good choice for simple vector graphics made up of mostly shapes and/or few colors required.

Next the flags are heat treated. This is done not only to make the images look better but also to fix the inks against harsh weather, making them last longer. The inks permeate through the fabric, creating almost 100% coverage on the reverse side.

Five successive washing cycles brings out the final brightness of the flags and softens the cloth. Oven drying guarantees size stability of the flags. The flags are trimmed and hemmed before a reinforcing strip is applied to the top and one side of the flags. The grommets are then inserted and the flags are packed up for shipment.

You custom artwork can be printed digitally on a large format inkjet printer. A big advantage to choosing a digitally printed flag is there are no minimum order requirements (unlike the silkscreen process). Whether you want 1 or 21 flags, you have the freedom to choose any quantity. Digital printing can print photographs and fine details too, providing more options when selecting your flag. However, a digitally printed flag does not offer the same ink penetration as does silk-screening, so your flag will look noticeably lighter on the reverse side. This can be fixed by purchasing a double-sided flag if necessary: Two digitally printed flags are sewn back to back, providing the same density of color.

The flags then go through a series of baths from cold to hot water and dried.The flags are trimmed and hemmed before a reinforcing strip is applied to the top and one side of the flags. The grommets are then inserted and the flags are packed up for shipment.

Flags printed with the dye sublimation process combine the best of both worlds. You get the richness in color from silkscreening with the photographic abilities of digital printing. Your artwork is initially printed onto transfer paper with the reverse image of your final graphic. Then, the image is transferred with a heat press onto polyester fabric at temperatures hitting 375 F°. While the fabric is heated under this high temperature and pressure, the dyes turn into gases which permeate and solidify into the flag's fibers. The design is now permanently fixed so it can be washed without risk of damaging the image's quality.

There are no minimum ordering requirements for dye sublimated flags, but the reverse side will display about 15% lighter. We offer 8 day lead times for dye sub flags, so if you're under the gun and need a custom-printed flag fast, we can help!