I searched on the forums to find out if anyone has actually printed on Bamboo apparel yet.
I did not find any confirmation of this, so I'm asking - has anyone?
What I've read is that screenprinting on 100% bamboo is not recommended because the material is very light. However, I've also read that it's best to screenprint on 70% bamboo/30% organic cotton.
What I'm thinking of doing, so as not to ruin actual apparel, is to acquire pieces of 100% bamboo fabric and try water-based printing with the DTG method, unless I can find a water-based screenprinter to do a small run. I'm really curious to see if it can be printed on.
Every (water-based) screenprinter I've contact over the last 3 weeks has not said that they cannot or will not print on bamboo, as I've asked. But, I need to ask if they have actual experience with it.
I know that TS Designs is planning to print on Bamboo, as they allowed me to feel a brown Bamboosa tee they had at my visit with them. However, I don't recall it having any artwork on it and did not know enough about Bamboo at that time to ask if it was 100% or a mixed fabric. So, I will shoot that question to them as well.
Only one Bamboo wholesaler thus far has actually posted on their site that 100% bamboo would not do well with screenprinting but that 70% bamboo/30% organic cotton is fine for it.
I have a feeling you're going to have a hard time finding any info from people who have actually done it. Bamboo shirts have only been around for a few years.
Sometimes when you're heading into new territory like this you've got to make your own little path. Good luck!
There's one Bamboo company (they posted in the Member Introductions a few days ago) that has a list of "recommended" screen printers on their site.
I don't know if the recommended screen printers were using water based inks, but I'm sure that screen printing is possible on bamboo shirts. I know plastisol transfers work on bamboo (at least the bamboo/cotton blend tees).
Ok, I will peek in the Members section to determine if I can find that user you mentioned. TS Designs says that they achieved good results with printing the Bamboosa tees. I need to see more of a variety.
The printer that I prefer to work with has not printed on Bamboo at all and advised that any products I send to print would be all experimental.
Therefore, I think it's best to find a DTG water-based printer locally who may be able to print on some sample Bamboo fabric for me in small quantities. (I'd be willing to work with a local, more affordable screenprinter as well, but have not found another company using water-based inks in NC, though I'm still searching).
OLD thread, but I just received my first bamboo sample and suffice to say it didn't turn out good because it was too "stretchy". It was a 70% bamboo/30% organic cotton blend and my design pretty much stretched out and deformed. Any one have any tips?
OLD thread, but I just received my first bamboo sample and suffice to say it didn't turn out good because it was too "stretchy". It was a 70% bamboo/30% organic cotton blend and my design pretty much stretched out and deformed. Any one have any tips?
I have an eco-friendly printer -www.contempl8.net - that has printed water-based inks on my bamboo tees and they have turned out beautifully. My shirts are a 70% bamboo/30% organic cotton, so I don't know about the 100% bamboo.
We have screen printed onto Bamboo fabric for our own t-shirt designs. If you check out our website you will see how brilliant they look. Our screen printers used water based eco-friendly ink that highlighted the sustainability of the fabric.
Who Has Screenprinted On Bamboo? 
Good luck!
