Custom T-shirts are a great way to promote your brand and spread your message. They can even be used as promotional giveaways to gain new customers and boost your sales.
There are many different printing methods for t-shirts, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. The best method depends on your print volume and desired quality.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is a classic method for creating promotional apparel, uniforms, and fashion-forward designs. While other methods like digital and direct-to-garment printing have their place for certain applications, screen printing is the go-to method for brands that are serious about quality and creativity.
Companies like Oh Boy! Print Shop offers custom printed T-shirts, allowing customers to create personalized designs for any occasion. They use techniques like screen printing, direct-to-garment (DTG), and embroidery. Services include bulk orders, fast delivery, and intuitive online design tools, catering to both individuals and businesses.
The reason why is simple: it delivers superior results. Screen printing produces a high-quality, durable print that can withstand repeated washing and wear without fading or cracking. Screen printing is also a cost-effective option for larger orders. The per-shirt cost decreases as the order size increases, making it a great choice for businesses looking to keep their costs down for company shirts or sports teams that are looking to cut out the expense of expensive team uniforms.
With screen printing, you can achieve a wide range of colors and unique textures for your t-shirt design. Techniques such as puff ink, glitter, metallic finishes, and high-density prints can make your design stand out from the crowd. In addition, plastisol ink used for screen printing has a thicker body than other types of ink, so the printed image can hold up to a lot of wear and tear.
Screen-printed t-shirts are the ideal option for bands, clothing brands, and organizations that want to add value to their products or services by offering a one-of-a-kind garment that is exclusive to their customers. It’s also an excellent way to promote a brand, build brand awareness, and unify a group or organization, especially for large events and festivals where multiple companies may be competing for attention.
While the printing process is not as fast as DTG or heat transfer, it’s still a good choice for businesses that need to produce a large number of t-shirts with a variety of designs and colors in short print runs (even a single shirt). Screen-printed t-shirts are ideal for adding names and numbers for jerseys, too.
We offer hundreds of t-shirt options for screen-printed logos and designs, with many sizes available from toddler through youth, men’s, and women’s – including 6XL. Check out our t-shirt gallery for inspiration and contact us today to get started.
Heat Transfer Vinyl
Whether you’re wearing a bold graphic tee with your favorite team’s logo or rocking an inside joke t-shirt, custom printing is all about expressing yourself and what makes you, you. From your edgy t-shirt hair to your neon nail polish, there’s no limit to what you can do to show off who you are, and t-shirts are the perfect canvas for your unique style statement.
The three most common printing methods for t-shirts are screen printing, heat transfer vinyl, and direct to garment (DTG). Each technique has its own benefits and limitations, catering to different design requirements and fabric types.
Screen printing is a popular option for large runs of shirts and is known for its vibrant colors, durability, and longevity. However, it is costly to set up and requires a high minimum order amount. It is also best used on cotton fabrics in lighter colors and not dark ones since the color can bleed into the material.
Another great feature of this method is that it can be used on a wide variety of materials, including both stretchy and non-stretchy fabrics, so it’s an excellent choice for a broad range of apparel and accessories. It’s also a good choice for layered graphics, as the layers are printed separately and then fused together using heat.
Compared to screen printing, the heat transfer vinyl (HTV) process is much less expensive and requires a lower minimum order quantity. This is because the design is printed directly onto the fabric with a heat press or an iron, rather than being transferred from a paper liner as in screen printing. This can make it a more economical option for small runs of t-shirts.
HTV is made from polyurethane and comes in thin sheets for you to make your own designs with. It can be used with both a home iron and a professional heat press, depending on the type of machine you have. The basic application process involves cutting a design, “weeding” the excess material (removing what you don’t need), and then applying the vinyl to the garment. It can then be pressed for 30 seconds or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Embroidery
Embroidery is a time-honored way to embellish clothing, and it’s a great option for adding a personal touch to t-shirts. You can either create your own design or work with a graphic designer to find a suitable one. Once you have a design, you need to transfer it to the garment. This can be done by tracing or using a soluble pen or chalk pencil. After transferring the design, use a needle to embroider the garment. A ball-point or round-end needle is best because it won’t snag or pull the threads of the knit fabric.
The embroidery process is a bit more expensive than screen printing or heat transfer vinyl, but it’s still an affordable option for small quantities. It’s also a good choice for clothing items with a lot of seams or pockets, as the stitches will hold up well to the wear and tear. The only downside to embroidery is that it takes a long time, especially if you’re creating a large, complex design.
Custom t-shirts are more than just apparel—they’re powerful tools for expressing our beliefs, values, and identities. They can communicate a message or make a statement without saying a word, and they can help us feel confident and empowered in social situations. The growing demand for customized t-shirts presents a huge opportunity for growth in the custom apparel market.
Direct to Garment Printing
Unlike screen printing, which requires thick ink layers and a mesh screen to apply designs, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is more wallet friendly for smaller print runs. DTG prints directly from digital files and produces crisp, detailed designs on a wide variety of different fabrics. It’s perfect for shirts, hats, and messenger bags that need to be both long-lasting and lightweight.
DTG printing is also great for small production runs, such as t-shirts that need to be given out at events or as gifts for clients or customers. This type of printing allows for a more personal touch because you can add names, numbers, or other text to your custom apparel – making it more useful. However, it is not a suitable option for bulk orders because the process is not geared towards large-scale manufacturing.
The DTG printing process involves a special printer that is able to imprint your designs directly onto the t-shirt fabric. The shirt must be pretreated to allow the water-based inks to bond with the fibers of the material. Once the treatment is complete, the printer head sprays or jets a special type of aqueous textile ink directly onto the fabric of your garment. The ink penetrates the fabric and dries quickly, giving you a finished product with vivid colors and detailed images.
One of the most important things to consider before starting your own custom apparel business is choosing a niche market that will allow you to stand out from the competition. Whether you want to focus on tropical bird enthusiasts or Gregorian chanting fans, doing your research will help you create a more focused product line and find the best printing options to suit the needs of your unique audience.
Once you have your niche in mind, it’s time to start designing. You can use a program like Adobe Illustrator or a free alternative to turn your artwork into a digital file that will then be printed on your t-shirts. For the best results, make sure your design is made of high-resolution graphics and save it as a vector file. This will ensure that your design will remain crisp and clear even after many washes.
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