How Butt Registration Works

Edge-to-Edge Colour Placement

Each colour is printed in its own screen, with the artwork carefully separated so the colours touch at the edges but do not overlap.

Precise Screen Alignment

Accurate registration is critical. Screens must be aligned perfectly to avoid gaps or unwanted overlaps between colours.

Benefits of Butt Registration

Cleaner Print Finish

By avoiding overlapping ink layers, butt registration produces a smoother and flatter print surface.

Reduced Ink Build Up

Since colours do not stack on top of each other, the overall ink thickness is lower, improving garment comfort.

Sharper Design Definition

This method is ideal for geometric shapes, text, and logos that rely on crisp edges and clear colour boundaries.

Limitations of Butt Registration

Higher Setup Precision Required

Any slight movement or misalignment during printing can result in visible gaps between colours.

Not Suitable for All Designs

Complex designs with gradients or soft transitions are better suited to overlapping or blended printing techniques.

Fabric Movement

Stretch or shift in the garment during printing can affect edge alignment, especially on softer fabrics.

Printing Methods That Use Butt Registration

Screen Printing

Butt registration is primarily used in traditional screen printing, particularly for flat, multi-colour designs.

Specialty Applications

It may also be applied in certain transfer or vinyl-based applications where colours are cut and placed side by side.

Common Use Cases in Australia

Butt registration is often used for:

• Corporate logos and branding
• Promotional t-shirts with bold graphics
• Workwear and uniform printing
• Club and community apparel

These applications benefit from clean visuals and reduced print thickness.

Practical Considerations for Butt Registration

Artwork Preparation

Designs must be properly separated with clean edges. Slight trapping may be added to reduce the risk of gaps.

Garment Choice

Stable fabrics with minimal stretch produce better results with butt registration.

Production Volume

This technique is more reliable in controlled production environments, particularly for bulk orders.

Butt Registration vs Overprint Registration

Overprint registration overlaps colours slightly to hide alignment issues, while butt registration prioritises a flat, minimal finish. Each method has its place depending on design and garment requirements.

Why Butt Registration Matters in Professional Printing

Butt registration allows printers to achieve sharp, professional results with minimal ink build up. For Australian garment printers, it is a valuable technique for producing clean, high-quality apparel where precision and presentation are key.