Apparel Printing: What is an Over-the-Zipper Hoodie Print?
If you are designing custom apparel for a lifestyle brand or a streetwear line, you want your designs to look bold and disruptive. One of the most popular ways to achieve this on a zip-up hoodie is by utilizing an over-the-zipper print. While it looks incredible, it requires highly specialized manufacturing techniques.
The Mechanics of the Print
Printing over a metal or plastic zipper track is exceptionally difficult.
- The Concept: This technique involves printing a massive, continuous logo directly across the front zipper, splitting the design perfectly in half when the jacket is opened.
- The Process: It requires the printer to use specialized, grooved platens that sink the zipper down to keep the surrounding fabric completely flat while the ink is applied.
The Raven32 Recommendation
This style is visually stunning, but you must set realistic expectations for its longevity. As your printing and promotional experts, we love the streetwear aesthetic of over-the-zipper prints, but we must warn you that the ink resting directly on the zipper track will inevitably crack slightly over time due to constant zipping and unzipping. Contact us today to create your cutting-edge apparel.