What Should I Print On?
Strapworks Custom can print designs on a large variety of webbing, all with different strengths, finishes, and textures. Different types of webbing result in different results when printing, so it's important to decide on an appropriate width and webbing to satisfy not only the strength requirements of your project, but also the visual design requirements for your printed imagery.
Webbing Widths
Available webbing widths will vary between 3/8” and 3” depending on the type of polyester. The available components are also limited depending on the widths you choose. Any webbing under ¾” wide is limited to background components only. Polyester webbing ¾” or wider can include foreground components with your graphics template depending on webbing type.
Sublimatable Webbing Types
All of the polyester materials below can accept sublimation, but with different printing results and available widths. Not every material we can print on is listed on the regular Strapworks storefront, so the following list also includes webbing types that you can only get through Strapworks Custom. Review this list to see what best suits your needs.
Utility
Most of our polyester straps use this webbing type. The rugged weave of Utility is great for high abrasion applications and high abrasion hardware such as cam straps. Highly detailed graphics in the foreground will be lost due to the course weave of utility but text and most logos will transfer well. The background is not limited although high contrast will tend to ghost a little. Available in a variety of widths 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, ¾, 1, 1½, and 2 inches wide
Picture Quality
The smooth finish of this webbing allows for great amount detail to be transferred. While Picture Quality has an equivalent tensile strength to our utility webbing, fine detail and smooth finish makes this material less ideal for high abrasion applications such as use with cam buckles. You will get the best foreground and background graphics transfer using Picture Quality Polyester. Available in a variety of widths 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, ¾, 1, 1¼, 1½, 1¾, and 2 inches wide
Seatbelt
The smooth weave allows good detail to be transferred, but this is offset by a higher level of shrink causing ghosting. Basic foreground such as text or text only logos or text. Most backgrounds are printable. Avoid high contrast backgrounds and foregrounds. Available in 1, 1½, and 2 inch widths.
Tubular
Tubular has a rough weave similar to Utility. A high shrink rate causes ghosting. Limit foreground to basic text logos and backgrounds to simple lower contrast patterns or solid color only. Available in 1 or 2 inch width.
Mil-Spec 17337
Consumer grade Mil-Spec 17337 has a coarse grain weave and higher shrink during transfer. Foreground components are not available in combination with this webbing. Keep backgrounds to simple lower contrast patterns or solid color only. Available in 1, 1½, and 2 inch widths.
12K
This off website material is the strongest webbing we carry with an estimated tensile strength of 12,000 pounds and high abrasion resistance. Highly detailed graphics in the foreground will be lost due to the course weave of this webbing but text and most logos will transfer well. The background is not limited although high contrast will tend to ghost. Available in two-inch width only.
5K
This off website material is the strongest 1” webbing we carry with an estimated tensile strength of 5,000 pounds and high abrasion resistance. Some detail will be lost due to the course weave of this webbing. Foreground can support text and most logos. The background is not limited although high contrast will tend to ghost. Available in 1 inch only.
Satin
This off website webbing is like our Picture Quality but thinner and more flexible; Typically used for lanyards and key chains. Excellent for higher detail foregrounds. logos and smaller text will typically show well on this material. Available in ¾ or 1 inch widths.
Grosgrain Ribbon
This off website ribbon’s smooth finish allows for relatively detailed graphics and is used for our sew in and sew on tags. Most foreground and background graphics are acceptable. Offered in ⅝ and ⅞ inch widths.
Ribbon
Offered in ¾ and one inch. The coarse grain of this ribbon prevents high detailed logos and small text. Available in ¾ or 1 inch widths.
K Style Elastic
Due to the stretchy nature of elastic and high shrink ratio, non-registered prints only. Not recommended for skin contact. ¾, 1, 1½, and 2 inch
H Style Elastic
Lower shrink and waiver while printing allows for some registered logos and text. Not recommended for skin contact. 1, 1½, and 2
Super Soft Elastic
Offered in one and one and a half inch. This elastic’s smooth weave is ideal for on skin applications and allows for text and logos with a moderate amount of detail. Available in 1 or 1½ inch widths.