Pigment - the simplest form of getting image onto cloth.

An economical method as the colour sits on top of the fabric and is fixed by dry heat alone - but still widely used in industry on fabrics where the handle is not so important or the ink does not affect the handle. Pigment is an effective method of printing for banners, drapes, t-shirts, furnishing cottons.

Reactive dye - for cottons, linens, silks and viscose when the colour is required to penetrate the fabric as dye. The printed image has no texture and the handle of the fabric is not affected. A more expensive application than pigment as more complex colour matching and dye fixation is required.

Acid dye - for silks, nylons, and wools. The same principles as for reactive dye prints. Both dyestuff print techniques are recommended for stretch fabrics - especially for bodysuits and dancewear - where a pigment would be unsuitable as the ink may rub away as the fabric stretches.

Foil printing - a method for creating metallic effects on cloth. A glue is printed and then the foil is applied with a heated transfer press.

Texture - there are various inks and chemicals to achieve effects of texture. From expanding pigments and flock transfers to devoré printing where part of the fibres of the cloth are burnt away.

Heat transfer - colour and images can be applied to polyester and some nylons with this method. Usually in special situations where a one-off piece is required and the expense of creating a silkscreen is unnecessary.