Choose the Best Way to Print Your T-Shirts
Looking to turn your artwork into some sweet, colorful t-shirts? Ask around and find out which printing method is best for you.
Whether you go with a simple or complex print, getting your shirts printed is a great way to showcase your creative side and make some extra money.
Screen Printing on T shirts
Screen printing is a great option if you’re looking to mass produce printed shirts.
It offers a good balance of cost and quality, meaning you get high-quality prints at a competitive price.
However, when it comes to the actual design, the setup process can be quite complicated and labor intensive.
You’ll also need to use special inks that are formulated to last outdoors – which can add further expense.
Direct-to-Garment Printing
There are a number of other printing methods you can consider if screen printing isn’t a good fit for your needs.
One option is direct-to-garment printing, which is a great choice if you have a limited amount of shirts to print.
This method uses heat and pressure to create prints on the inside of clothes.
It’s straightforward to set up and can be done quickly and cheaply, making it a good option for small businesses.
Digital Printing
For high-quality prints on t-shirts, you’ll want to consider digital printing.
This process uses special inkjet printers that print small images directly onto fabric.
Digital prints are durable and look great, making them a good option for custom t-shirts.
You can also use digital printing to create small runs of shirts or to create headshots and other photos for use on your website or marketing materials.
Sublimation Printing
Sublimation printing is a great option for t-shirt printing because it produces highly detailed images with vibrant colors.
With this method of printing, inks are transformed from solid to gas directly on the fabric,
resulting in a permanent print that does not crack or fade like other methods.
The process uses heat during the transfer so heavier and thicker material will work better with sublimation printing than lighter fabrics.
Heat Transfers
If you want to print your own t-shirts and create a truly unique style,
using heat transfer inks is the way to go. Heat transfer inks are specially designed to be transferred onto fabric using heat,
and they produce extremely detailed images with many vibrant colors. Unlike other methods of printing,
such as offset printing or digital printing, heat transfer inks do not require prepping the garment before printing.
