Behind the Scenes: The Making of Our Signature Lines Vault Collection

Introduction:

Welcome to our blog post! Today, we're excited to give you an exclusive look into the design process behind OnlySUN's Signature Line Vault Collection. Crafted entirely from scratch, this collection reflects our commitment to originality and creativity. At OnlySUN, transparency is key, and sharing our design journey with you allows us to build trust and showcase the authenticity behind each shirt. Stay tuned to discover how each piece in our Vault Collection came to life!

    Design Process: 

      Inspiration:

      This creative journey begins with a simple question: what is the most unique design that only I can produce? Recognizing my strengths in seeing and visualizing unconventional images, I realized the potential of doodling as a means of expressing this uniqueness. Doodling, by its nature, is inherently personal and subjective; no two people doodle in the same way, and no one else can visualize the same thing among the myriad of lines. With this perspective, I embarked on a journey of creativity and self-expression.

      Step-by-step Process:

      1. Sketching Process:I begin by doodling on my phone or tablet without looking at the sketch, moving my hand randomly. Afterward, I analyze the sketch by rotating the paper, focusing on concentration, creativity, and analysis to identify any possible images. Rarely do I see an image immediately; it often requires careful observation. 
      2. Highlighting and Design Exploration: Once I identify a potential image, I highlight it with a different ink to explore its potential as a design. This step involves evaluating the sketch's suitability and envisioning its transformation into a compelling design. 
      3. Adobe Illustrator Editing: The highlighted sketch is then transferred to Adobe Illustrator for further refinement. Using a variety of tools, I draw, edit colors, and make necessary adjustments to enhance the design. I pay close attention to detail and ensure the design meets my standards. 
      4. Quality Assurance and Export: After completing the design process, I meticulously check for any mistakes and make final adjustments if needed. Once satisfied, I export the file to the computer in RGB color mode with a minimum 144ppi resolution to ensure the best print quality possible.

          This meticulous process ensures that each vector art piece is carefully crafted and optimized for both visual appeal and print quality.

            Now that you have a glimpse into the meticulous design process behind our Vault Collection, let's delve into the creative challenges we encountered along the way.

            Creative Challenges:

              Firstly, I've encountered challenges with exporting print files in CMYK mode instead of RGB, leading to delays in sending files to fulfillment centers. Despite this setback, ensuring our valued customers receive top-quality goods remains our utmost priority.

              Secondly, I've encountered limitations in achieving specific colors due to technical constraints in the printing process. While this may result in slight variations from the intended design, rest assured that it has minimal impact on the overall intended design.

              Last but not least, there are instances where I've overlooked the color consistency of short lines compared to longer ones, affecting the overall aesthetic of the design. These short lines play a crucial role in overlapping other lines seamlessly, contributing to the final masterpiece's meticulous detail.

              Below is an example of how I've overlooked the color consistency of short lines:

              Image displaying color inconsistency of short lines compared to longer lines in a design

              The provided image showcases a noticeable color inconsistency between a short green line and a longer black line it overlaps. This discrepancy significantly impacts the overall aesthetic of the design, underscoring the critical importance of meticulous attention to detail throughout the creative process.


              Now that we've explored some of the creative challenges I've encountered in designing our shirts, let's shift our focus to the eco-friendly manufacturing process behind them

              Our Eco-Friendly T-Shirt Manufacturing Process:

              1. Sourcing Sustainable Materials: We start by sourcing sustainable materials for our t-shirts, such as organic cotton or recycled materials. These materials are grown or produced using eco-friendly practices to minimize environmental impact.
              2. Fabric Knitting and Dyeing: The sustainable materials are sent to a facility for fabric knitting. Advanced knitting techniques are used to create high-quality fabrics with a soft hand feel and superior printability. After knitting, the fabric is dyed using eco-friendly dyes that minimize water usage (using 7x less water than the average for clothing manufacturers, saving 24 million gallons a week) and pollution.
              3. Cutting and Sewing: Once the fabric is dyed, it is sent to a cutting facility where it is cut into individual pieces based on the garment patterns. Precision-cutting machines are used to ensure accuracy and minimize fabric waste. The cut pieces are then sent to sewing facilities, where skilled workers sew them together to create the finished t-shirts.
              4. Quality Control: Throughout the manufacturing process, we implement rigorous quality control measures to ensure the highest standards of quality and consistency. Each t-shirt undergoes multiple inspections to check for defects, inconsistencies, and imperfections.
              5. Printing and Finishing: For printed t-shirts, We exclusively use direct-to-garment (DTG) printing for our t-shirts. This method ensures high-quality prints and allows us to use environmentally friendly Kornit Neo-Pigment ink. With its Oeko-Tex Eco passport certification, this ink meets strict textile standards, ensuring vibrant, long-lasting prints without harmful chemicals. After printing, our t-shirts undergo finishing processes such as curing to set the prints and ensure durability. To Learn More About DTG Printing, Keep Scrolling!
              6. Packaging and Shipping: Once the t-shirts are manufactured and finished, they are carefully packaged using eco-friendly packaging materials. We prioritize sustainable packaging options to minimize environmental impact. The finished products are then shipped to distribution centers or directly to customers.
              7. Ethical Labor Practices: Throughout the manufacturing process, we prioritize ethical labor practices and fair working conditions for factory workers. We partner with manufacturing facilities that adhere to strict labor standards and provide safe and healthy working environments

              Do you know? the textile industry is known to be a significant contributor to pollution globally. According to estimates by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the textile industry is responsible for approximately 20% of global wastewater pollution and 10% of global carbon emissions.

              Specifically, the dyeing and finishing stages of textile manufacturing are known to be significant sources of pollution. For example, it's estimated that around 1.3 trillion liters of water are used annually for dyeing textiles, and a significant portion of this water becomes polluted with harmful chemicals.

              Additionally, the production of one kilogram of textiles can result in the emission of around 23 kilograms of greenhouse gases, according to estimates by the World Resources Institute.

              However, by choosing our environmentally friendly t-shirts, you're making a conscious decision to support sustainability and protect the planet. Crafted with eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes, our shirts minimize environmental impact without compromising on quality or style. Join us in our mission to preserve and protect the Earth by choosing fashion that looks good and does good!

              Understanding the Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing Process:

              Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a modern printing technique that involves using specialized inkjet technology to print designs directly onto fabric. Here's a summary of how DTG works:

              1. Pre-Treatment: Before printing, the fabric is pre-treated with a special solution to ensure that the ink adheres properly and produces vibrant colors. This pre-treatment helps to improve the wash fastness and durability of the print.

              2. Printing Process: The pre-treated fabric is loaded onto the DTG printer, which is equipped with specialized inkjet printheads. The printer applies the ink directly onto the fabric, layer by layer, following the design file. The ink is cured onto the fabric using heat or UV light to ensure it bonds properly and remains durable.

              3. Post-Treatment: After printing, the fabric may undergo post-treatment processes such as heat pressing or steaming to further set the ink and improve the overall quality of the print. This helps to ensure that the print remains vibrant and long-lasting, even after multiple washes.

              4. Quality Control: Finally, the printed fabric is inspected for any defects or imperfections. Quality control measures are taken to ensure that the finished product meets the desired standards before it is shipped to customers.

              Overall, DTG printing offers a versatile and efficient method for creating high-quality, custom prints on a variety of fabrics, making it a popular choice for personalized apparel and custom merchandise.

              Conclusion: 

              In conclusion, I want to emphasize the immense dedication and hard work that goes into creating each t-shirt collection. From the initial concept to the final product, our team pours their passion and creativity into every step of the process. We strive to deliver not just stylish and comfortable shirts, but also ones that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.

              I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our readers and customers for their ongoing support. Your belief in our brand and commitment to sustainability inspires us to continue pushing boundaries and creating innovative designs. Together, we can make a difference in protecting our planet while still enjoying fashion that makes a statement.

              Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to bringing you more eco-friendly and stylish collections in the future. Your support means the world to us!


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