Please click here for full Terms and Conditions that apply when you order with The Silk Bureau Limited.
Before placing an order you will be asked to agree to these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree please do NOT place your order.

You have just created a wonderful design that you would like to print on one of our fabulous fabrics.

So what do you do next?

To start, please check that your artwork is saved correctly. Our printing specifications are:

Resolution: 180 dpi (We accept files between 180 – 300 dpi.)
Color Mode: RGB Color  8 bit (You may have created your design in CMYK Color Mode but this will need to be changed to RGB. A slight colour shift may occur)
Advanced – Color Profile: Adobe RGB (1998) (We recommend this as it brings out the best colours in the printing)
Flatten your artwork. It is really important that your file does not have any layers in it. When transferring your files over the Internet they are vulnerable to corruption.
Save as: tiff or jpeg. We can only accept these file formats for our specialist software.

Check the size of the file. Both physical and memory.
Look at the Document size. This is the best guide to see how big your print will be. This can also be checked when you upload through our website. The rulers on the top and down the side show in centimetres how much space your artwork will take up on the fabric.
Also check how large the digital file is. We accept files up to 80Mb through our website. Keeping your files below this will ensure that the file arrives quickly and safely through to our CAD team.

Some hints on keeping your files smaller.

Use less filters when designing.
Use Adjustment layers to edit your image.
Keep the Resolution down to 180 dpi.
Flatten the layers.

If you are struggling to achieve a smaller file then you can contact us for a Large File Upload Link. This is password protected and you won’t be able to check the position on the fabric or the size of your file but you will be able to transfer it over the Internet. Just email or phone 01386 861122 for the latest password and link. Remember: The larger the file, the longer it will take for you to upload it and for us to download it. Which can also mean it is more likely to get corrupted during the process.

When your artwork is ready to be sent simply go to our Order page and follow the step by step instructions.

Choose your fabric
How much would you like printed (min. 1m or 100cm)
Upload your artwork – Check the size
Is it a repeat pattern? If you choose yes you can see the design repeat in the fabric window.
Add more images and choose different fabrics all in the one order.
Complete the rest of the Order form with your details.
Click > Send Order.

You will receive a confirmation email that your order has been received successfully. If there are any problems someone in our CAD team will be in touch to advise.

If this is the first time you have placed an order you will be contacted with the full Invoice so you will know how much it’s going to be before we print it.

We recommend using Adobe Photoshop when designing and creating your files for print, and so the following guides refer to this software.
If you prefer you can take a look on YouTube for our video tutorials. Tip: Simply type ‘The Silk Bureau’ into the search bar on You Tube or click here to see the tutorials in our website.

1. Launch Adobe Photoshop and create a new document set to the width of your fabric and the height to the metreage you would like.

File > New

In the New window set ‘width’ to the width of the fabric you have chosen. In this case we are using Satin, so the width is 136 cms (see Fabrics page for details).

Set the ‘height’ to a minimum of 100 cms. This is the mimimum print run we offer. If you need more metres, simply increase this height to your desired length.

Set the Resolution  to 180dpi and the Color Mode to RGB 8 bit. Keep your selected color profile. We recommend using Adobe RGB (1998)

 

2. Place your completed image onto the page you have just created.

File > Place

Move it to the top of the canvas and continue to place files until you have filled it.

Tip:Try not to leave any space on the canvas. Find something else you could add or include some test images you might like to try.

 

3. When you’re happy with the layout you’ve created, it is important to flatten your image.

Layer > Flatten Image

 

4. You’re now ready for the final save.

File > Save

Choose TIFF as the file format, and embed your colour profile by checking the box.

Click Save.

Your file is now ready to send to us for printing.

 
  

 

  
  
 
  
 
 
 

  

 
 
  
 

Please DO NOT include any special characters in the title of your files, such as @ These symbols cause issues when trying to download your files.

Getting the right colour is very important for designers who have spent a great deal of time and effort in producing designs for a particular outcome.

Here is a design that I have been working on. On screen the colours look just how I want them. But how do I know what it will look like when it’s printed?

Will my printing match the colour of the accessories? Will my cushion fabric colour match my throw?

What you see on screen may not print out the same on fabric.

It’s a huge challenge to match colours from different materials but you can get quite close with the right testing.

The best exercise is to invest in a sample template created from your design printed in a variety of colour ways on 1m of fabric.

Here’s how to do it.

We are using the designer software package Adobe Photoshop for this guide.

1. Launch Adobe Photoshop and create a new document set to the width of your fabric and to a maximum height of 100cm.

File > New

In the New window set ‘width’ to the width of the fabric you intend to use for your final production.i.e. what you’re going to make with it: dress, cushion, etc. In this case we are using Satin, so the width is 136cms (see Fabrics page for details on the width of your fabric)

Set the ‘height’ to a minimum of 100cms. This is the minimum print run we offer. So cram it full of all the test you can think of.

Set the Resolution to 180dpi and the Color Mode to RGB 8 bit. Keep your selected color profile. We recommend using Adobe RGB (1998)

2. Copy and Paste your Original design into the New file. Move it to the top corner of your New file.

The design I have selected has a number of colours in it that I might want to vary in the final production. I can now create a variety of colour ways from the whole design and also create colour chips from the dominant colours of green, yellow and red.




3. Repeat the design several times or add details of the design for a closer look.

Colours can be adjusted within each sample to give a slightly different finish and to see how they look in close proximity to each other. Select each layer individually and experiment with different colours and values.

Colours can react differently depending on the colour they are positioned next to. For example a Yellow next to a Blue may look a little Green where they connect. The same Yellow might look more Orange if it where placed next to a Red. By adding a strip of colour chips under the design you are able to quickly replicate them again for your final production.

Which green works best for my leaf?

4. Photoshop adjustments.

You may want to experiment with the design using adjustments in Photoshop.

Image > Adjustments

These can be as subtle or as dramatic as you wish. Remember to label each adjustment on the print so that you can replicate it in the final production.

Finally flatten and Save a copy of your file as either a jpg or tiff.

Once your fabric is returned to you, you will be able to make an informed decision on the right colour way to choose. Simply apply the same colour choice to your original file and save for production.

The minimum length we can print is 1 metre. There is NO maximum.

It is important to allow for shrinkage. Shrinkage can be up to 10% on most fabrics, however for stretch fabrics it can be up to 20%. Short runs shrink more than longer runs pro rata; however this is not a precise science. Shrinkage can vary from one batch of fabric to another.

We do NOT colour match. Please be aware that we can only print the detail our system reads on your tiff files. We have a very sophisticated colour calibration system, which picks up virtually all colours possible. Occasionally there are colours that are not able to be reproduced from the colour gamut of the dyes we print with. The colours that you see on your monitor may not be the same as we see on ours, as everyone has their monitor set slightly differently.
If you are planning on ordering a large run we always advise to order a sample first so that you can test that the colours printed are the ones you want.

We will print your designs as soon as possible after receiving your files. Lead times can vary throughout the year so please allow plenty of time to meet your deadlines. If images are not sent in the right format or files are corrupted for any reason this will delay printing.

Please refer to our pricelist to work out costing. Once the fabric is ready we will phone you for your payment by credit/debit card. We will then post your work by courier (bags £9.75 – rolls start at £19.50 – scarf boxes £19.50). There is an extra charge for deliveries requested before 9:00am, 10:30am and 12:00am, or on a Saturday.

International client orders. We will raise a proforma for your order and ask for payment prior to commencing the printing. Courier rates will vary according to the speed of delivery and the weight of the parcel.

NB: Velvets and other Heavy gsm fabrics may need to be delvered on a roll due to the nature of their construction.

Are you in a hurry to get your printing back?

There are some things you can do to help speed things up. Avoid any unnecesary delays by following our suggestions when it comes to digital textile printing.

1. Designs and Files

By creating a multi-coloured, multi-patterned design you are truly going to get the best out of digital textile printing. We print using 8 different colours to achieve a wide spectrum of colour values. Why not use them?

Does your design fit into the printable width of the fabric you have chosen? If it’s too wide some of your artwork will be cut off. Please check on our website to find out the printable width of your chosen fabric.

Is the design to the right scale? Too big – too small? It needs to be just right.

Remember –

We only print the artwork you send to us. 

2. Fabrics

Decide in advance which fabric is best for your project.

With over 100 print ready fabrics in stock there is plenty to choose from. With so many different compositions, widths, weights and base colours make sure the one you choose is appropriate for the final outcome of your project. Cushions, garments – everyday wear, evening wear? There is a different fabric for every scenario. To help you to decide, we can supply you with a pre-printed sample. This will give you a better idea of how different colours and patterns show in print. Please supply a self-addressed, pre-paid A5 envelope, with a large letter stamp on it and we can send out up to 6 samples to you free of charge.

3. Printing Specifications

Have you saved your files correctly?

Please ensure that all your digital files are saved in the correct format and to our printing specifications;

RGB – 180 to 300 dpi – FLATTENED – tiff or jpeg – embedded color profile

If the files aren’t saved correctly you may have issues trying to upload your order. We have put restrictions on our file transfer facility to help ensure that files are securely received. It all helps to ensure that the artwork is printed correctly. We aim for crisp images and smart colour reproduction. Not saving a file correctly may incur shifts in the layers, poor colour reproduction, ‘soft’ or blurred artwork, etc. –  all causing generally unsatisfactory results.

4. Upload your order through our website

Get your order straight into our processing system.

Carefully check your files. Zoom in to review your artwork at 100% scale, as this is the size your artwork will be printed at. If you’re happy that the files are saved correctly and looking just how you would like them to, then use our file transfer facility to submit your order. This will accept files that are up to 200MB in size. If you can’t get your file memory size to less than that, then we can offer you a large file upload link. But before you request it, have you looked at reducing the file size? Our ‘Checklist – Optimise your files’ section may help.

You can be assured that all the orders submitted through our website reach us correctly. You will receive a confirmation email detailing the order you have placed. This process will download your files directly into our processing system and will be actioned as quickly as possible. No need for seperate order forms, waiting for our team to download and prepare your file or order – we’ve got everything we need with the click of the submit button, to get on with it. And don’t worry, we will contact you should we have any queries regarding your order.

5. Test your design

Sample before production.

We strongly advise that you do sample prints of your artwork (minimum order 1m) before any bulk orders are needed. This step is ideal to test colours and outcomes of your digital files on the fabrics of your choice. Once you have approved the outcome, larger orders can be placed with confidence.

If you have tried a different printing company before coming to The Silk Bureau, please be aware that our printing will look different. Do not rely on tests printed elsewhere.

6. Allow enough time – be realistic!

We will always do our best to meet your request.

If you have a specific deadline for when you need to get your printing back by, then please make sure you give us plenty of time to process it.

Are you aware of all the steps digital printing has to go through? Our ‘How it Works’ page has short video clips that fully explain the processes involved. If only it were as easy as pushing a button! You could have it all the next day, but sadly it’s not that simple. Our complex, fabric dependant print process takes a number of days to complete. At any stage, something could go wrong. And, if our QC department don’t approve the final prints, we have to start all over again. This is essential to provide the high standards you expect.

The ‘comments’ box on the upload order page of our website is also handy for you to add any notes or instructions to. This includes your deadline. We do our utmost to achieve the dates noted at the time of ordering but unfortunately it’s not always possible.

Help us to process your order

Follow our guidelines to get the best out of digital textile printing in a fast and efficient way. Current processing times can vary throughout the year. Design shows, events and of course seasonal dates will put pressure on our normal production timeframe. Generally, please allow 7 – 10 working days from placing and paying (applies to New, Students and International Customers) for your order to be delivered to your door.

Show Offer – THE SMALL PRINT

All orders submitted are subject to The Silk Bureau’s standard Terms & Conditions (available on request).

Additional clauses specifically relating to Show Offers are as follows:

1. All orders should be submitted through our online ftp facility. www.silkbureau.co.uk/upload-form

2. Your Discount Voucher should be noted in the Promotional Code box on the order and must be authenticated by an authorised Silk Bureau employee at the show.

3. Discount must be redeemed by the date shown on your voucher.

4. You will have the option to complete a direct consent to contact form or Subscribe to our Newsletter via our website.

5. Our 15%, 20% and 50% discount offers will be applied against a maximum of 10 metres fabric and printing costs.

6. In the case of orders for various fabric types, discount will be applied to the lowest price fabric up to a maximum of 10 metres.

7. Discount does not apply to postage of fabric via courier.

8. Artwork supplied must be print ready. The Silk Bureau will not reprint any orders of fabric with artwork-based errors.

9. Discount is strictly limited to one offer per customer and is non-transferable.

10. The Silk Bureau reserve the right to i) cancel an offer at any time ii) amend terms and conditions relating to Show Offers.

11. Any queries relating to Show Offers or our Terms and Conditions can be made via email to info@silkbureau.co.uk

PRINTING SCARVES

Good to know hints and tips when designing scarves for digital textile printing.

Choosing the right fabrics

If an even colour is important on your scarves, it is best to select a lighter weight fabric from our range. With all fabric there will be a difference between the front and the back. The heavier the fabric weight, the more noticable the difference will be. If the fabric is thinner and has a loose weave, it enables more colour to penetrate through the fibres onto the reverse of the scarf.

Hint:

Popular choices are Light Satin, Single Georgette, Habotai, Light Crepe de Chine, Crepe de Chine, Silk Modal and Poly Chiffon.
Our suggested fabrics have been chosen for their better colour penetration and drape when worn.
Silcott Voile and Silcott Habotai, which are also lightweight may not achieve colour penetration quite as well as some others but are still popular as alternative choices.

Distortion.

Our experienced print operators are practiced in getting some pretty tricky fabric weaves to print very straight, however, silk is a natural fabric and the weave is sometimes irregular, especially on finer fabrics. This can occasionally be further distorted during the coating of the fabric.  As the fabric comes directly off a roll, it is fed on to the printer and adheres to a permanent adhesive belt. At this stage the fabric cannot be manipulated or adjusted.

Prints, which have borders and straight lines, are more at risk of noticable distortion through weave movement than ones with all over patterns. There is a higher risk of this in lighter weight fabrics, such as Chiffon, where the straightness of the weft can vary dramatically through a roll.

Scarf sizes.

During the digital textile printing process shrinkage occurs. This can vary according to fabric type and the processes involved in production. As much as possible, we will take additional measures to bring your scarves back to the original size you have stated in your order.

Hemming.

You may also be interested in having your scarves hemmed and finished ready to wear. We do offer a hemming service. Our finishes include; Machine Pin Hem, Hand Finished Roll Hem and Eye-lash Fringe.

The scarves will be returned to you with your choice of finished edges, including your label and a fabric care label sewn in. The label will say ‘Dry Clean Only – Made in the UK’. Each scarf will have been individually pressed and packed in a clear cellophane bag.

If you would like to use our hemming service please contact us for current lead times from us receiving your artwork and order for your scarves to be returned.

Remember to send your labels with the order and a drawing if you would like the labels sewn in a particular position on the scarves. Unless otherwise instructed we will place the labels 3 – 7 centimetres away from the corner, as is normal on most scarves.

Cut Line

Please remember to include a 1mm space between your scarf files to show a clear cutting line. This is particularly important if you have included white borders. Please use a pale grey or cream cut line so that it does not show on your scarves.

 Fabric layout.

The majority of our fabrics have a printable width of 136cm. Consider this when you are submitting your artwork for print, so that you can utilise as much of the fabric and avoid unnecessary waste.  See diagram.

Hint:

Fill as much of the space as you can but allow 1mm for cutting between scarves. If you don’t have a coloured border or you have white space around your scarves, please add a fine cutting line. This will help when it comes to cutting out and finishing. Remember to allow for the hemming too.  Allow approx. a 1cm border that will be tight rolled up to the design, to give a ‘Pencil Hem’. Alternatively, allow a 1.5cm border that will be rolled to leave approx. a 1cm plain border around your scarf.  Perhaps add a 1mm cutting line for a clear indication of where you would like the cut to be.

Think about borders and geometric designs. Straight lines that are printed onto a weave that is not exactly straight may well end up ‘wavy’. By incorporating a larger area of colour at the edges you can still create an effective border that will give more tolerance for cutting and hemming.

Disclaimer

The Silk Bureau Ltd will always endeavour to produce printed fabrics of the highest quality, but cannot be held responsible for any weave quality issues that originate with our suppliers.

The total surface area of your scarf  may include slight anomalies associated with the process of digital textile printing.

Minor inclusions such as; ink spots, water marks, loose threads, slubs, wavy lines, thread rotation and surface lint within the printed area will be considered as acceptable by Quality Control. We will not approve any scarves  that we consider contain large inclusions. These will have been rejected and reprinted prior to dispatch.

Further details and full descriptions of these anomalies can be found on our website and Fabric Anomaly handout. Please contact info@silkbureau.co.uk for a copy

Claims for any defects or shortages must be made in writing within seven days of delivery.

All woven fabric can suffer from bruising when enough pressure is applied to it.

Bruising can occur when force is applied to the weave, distorting the weft and warp from their original directions. The pulling apart of the threads leaves a mark that looks a little like a bruise, hence it’s name. Take a look at this short video clip  where force is deliberately applied to the bias on a wool scarf.

Video – How bruises can happen

There are occasions when the bruising can be repaired by gently teasing the threads back into position, as this video shows.

Video – Repairing a Bruise

This is quite common in lightweight, open weave fabrics. By nature they are more delicate and more susceptible to damage. It is important to choose your fabric according to it’s intended use and the care it requires.

Block colours will highlight a bruise, where as multi-coloured, multi-patterned designs disguise bruises that may happen over time with use.

Fringe hems can look especially effective on soft wool fabrics, however there are some rules to follow when designing scarves that you would ultimately liked printed onto this base and have the fringe hem finish option.

The loose weave of the fabric makes it impossible to keep the weft and wharf threads at right angles. This impacts on the printing and therefore the fringed hem.

Take a look through this video for what can happen when creating a fringe hem.
Video – Fringe Hem

Fringe hemming will highlight the weave of the fabric