Five types of t-shirt printing method you can use

Ever thought of printing your own T-shirts? You can be looking to start a fundraiser, or just looking to get some shirts for your staff (with your business logo and all). Or you might be looking to start your own t shirt line.

Custom t shirt printing can be handy in a lot of situations.   

And this post is to guide you on how to print your own T-shirts without going anywhere.

Screen printing

Screen printing or silkscreen printing, whatever you’d like to call it, is the most prevalent and preferred method used by a lot of people.

What you need?

• T-shirt
• Graphic stencil
• Nylon mesh
• Ink

How it works?

The process is quite simple that you can begin with the stencil of the graphic you want to have on a t-shirt. It will be held by a nylon mesh over a plain t-shirt. The process works by pouring ink so the stencil replicates the design on the shirt. You may use a squeegee to press ink fully into the design and wipe the rest of it from the mesh.

It is later dried and the piece is good-to-be worn afterwards.

Despite being the most popular method around the world, it is preferred to be used more for big scale printing and not for DIY at home for some of its lacking.

Pros

• Gives soft finish to clothes
• Graphic lasts a long time
• Convenient and fast method for multiple t-shirts having a similar design
• Best for mass production

Cons

• Not preferred for single piece
• Expensive method to be done at home
• Messy when done manually
• Best with single color printing/ not suitable for complex color designs

Direct to garments (DTG)

Moving to the next one in the row, we have DTG-direct to garment method. Similar to screen printing, this method is also not preferable to be used at home due to two major reasons:

Firstly, it requires professional learning and obviously some skills to be done in the right manner.

Secondly, it is slightly expensive because of the equipment it involves.

What you need?

• Computer
• Textile printer
• Ink
• T-shirt

How it works?

DTG printing is similar to paper printing. The process involves making out a design on your computer screen that is printed via a textile printer. A T-shirt is fed over the belt of the flatbed textile printer so that the ink in it may replicate the design over it.

The end result comes up in the form of a soft design. However, it is not as durable as the screenprinted one. It usually fades away with in 8-12 months. Moreover, the method works best for light colored shirts only as the printer prints the design in a very thin layer of ink that is hardly visible on darker shades.

Pros

• One-off designs
• Complex color design printing
• Low cost per piece in case of bulk production
• Gives a soft and pleasant feel to the fabric

Cons

• Expensive printer
• Can be easily done at home
• Not suitable for all color shirts

Dye sublimation printing

Moving next to the dye sublimation printing method, this is a complex process that involves heat exertion for the process of sublimation to take place. The method is actually invented for polyester and creamy fabrics. Moreover, it is to print oversize designs on your T-shirts.

What you need?

• Liquid dye
• Heat and pressure source
• 100% polyester fabric

How it works?

The process starts with pouring the liquid ink on the shirt and allow it to dry. As soon as it dries, the ink solidifies on the polyester fabric. The process continues by exerting heat and pressure to it so that the process of sublimation may occur allowing excess gas to evaporate. Meanwhile, the delicate molecules of polyester fabric expands allowing the gas particles to settle in place and afterwards contracting. As an end result, you have the cutest design on your t-shirt.

Pros

• Make high resolution and spreaded designs
• Maximum use of graphics and colors.

Cons

• Works for 100% polyester fabric only

Vinyl cut printing

Vinyl cut printing is the most unique yet creative way of printing almost anything on your t-shirts. However, most commonly it is used for the purpose of printing slogans and small graphics but this does not mean that you can’t print larger designs with it. It is an all-rounder that can print all types of designs but it gives best results when dealt with slogans and smaller patterns.

What you need?

• Soft cloth or vinyl sheet to cut out a design
• CAD cutter
• Heat source

How it works?

This method can be carried out in two ways. Either you use a small piece of cloth to cut the design on it or else, a vinyl sheet. Whatever you choose, in both the cases, you will have to cut the design with the help of the CAD cutter using a special software.

Once you have cut it down, press in on the t-shirt with the help of a heat source as used under other techniques. Your design will be printed on your shirt with in no time.

Pros

• Gives durable results to last a lifetime
• No cracking of the print
• Vibrant colors

Cons

• The software involved within the cutting and designing cannot be used by unprofessional
• Comparatively less durable and flexible than screen printing.

Heat press transfer paper printing

Yet another, last but not least heat press transfer paper printing is another durable method to printalmost any design on your t-shirt. The process involves transferring a design from a vinyl transfer paper to your shirt. It is usually used by people at home because of being the most feasible one.

What you need?

• Vinyl transfer paper
• Heat pressing machine
• T-shirt

How it works?

It starts with first printing the design on the glossy vinyl transfer paper that is placed on a shirt intended to be printed. Heat is applied afterwards to soften the dye and let it appear on the fabric. Once it is fully replicated on the shirt, you may now remove the glossy vinyl and let it dry for a moment before wearing.

Heating pressing is mostly used by people printing t-shirts at home as a part of their hobby.

Pros

• Works well with all shades and colors
• Feasible with complex designs
• Easy to be done

Cons

• Cannot be used on lighter fabrics having high heat sensitivity
• Slightly slower process as compared to others

Conclusion

Whatever you have learned in this post, it is all about printing your own t-shirts. Now may it be on small scale pertaining to a DIY activity at home or a larger scale production, these methods are best for every attempt.

However, all of them have their own unique benefits and lacking obviously. It is up to the user now that he choose which one for the purpose. A rule of thumb is that no matter which one you pick, make sure you keep your customers’ demand in mind for ultimate perfection.