Whether you’re launching a new clothing line or utilizing branded apparel as your next marketing campaign, printed t-shirts can play an important role in the growth and success of your brand. While the rewards are great, it can be difficult to know where to begin with T-shirt printing. What are the different types of T-shirt printing, and how do you ensure the best results?
In this guide, we’ll explore how to print on T-shirts, select the ideal design canvas, and cover everything else you need for vivid, long-lasting results.
Pick Your Personalization: What is the Best Method for T-shirt Printing?
To understand how to print on T-shirts, the first thing to cover is the methods available. At AWDis, we design garments like our Cool T to accommodate as many types of T-shirt printing as possible, as each approach offers unique results that lend themselves to different styles and finishes.
Choosing the right printing method is crucial to producing custom T-shirts that look as good as they feel, but what is the best T-shirt printing method? Let’s run through some of the most popular options to help you decide which is right for you.
- Screen Printing: A traditional method that uses a screen stencil to apply an ink design onto fabric. It produces vibrant, long-lasting prints, though ink absorption can vary between fabrics.
- Sublimation: This method uses heat to transfer dye onto fabrics, creating bright and vibrant designs. It produces photo-quality images but is limited to white or lighter-colored fabrics.
- Embroidery: A classic method that involves stitching a design directly onto a garment using thread. It produces durable, premium designs ideal for logos and badges.
- Heat Transfer: This method involves printing a design onto paper, then using heat and pressure to transfer it to the garment. It is a versatile method that can be used for a variety of fabrics.
- Direct to Film (DTF): A versatile and quality method that involves printing a design onto special film, then using a heat press to transfer it onto the garment. It works well on a wide range of fabrics, including polyester, cotton and nylon/other synthetic blends.
Start With the Canvas: Choose Your Material & Ink
With so many printing methods available, getting the best possible results for your brand comes down to matching up the right technique with the best type of printing T-shirt. To help you make this pairing, let’s look at two of the most important factors: material and ink.
At AWDis, we craft our T-shirts from a few staple materials, selected for their comfort, printability, and respective benefits. They include:
Cotton: Comfortable, breathable, and great at wicking moisture, cotton is used throughout all of our ranges. In addition to being soft on the skin, it holds ink well, producing sharp and long-lasting designs.
Polyester: Durable and flexible, polyester is every athlete’s dream material. In garments like our Long Sleeve Cool T, it is lightweight and offers a versatile design surface.
Fabric Blends: Blends take the best aspects of different fabrics to provide garments that are soft, durable, lightweight, and everything in between. These blends can also be crafted to offer optimal customization results for garments like our charcoal and gray AWDis Ts.
And what about inks? Let’s run through some of the most common that our garments are built to hold:
- Printer: Inkjet or laser printer for heat transfer, specialized printer for DTG or sublimation.
- Plastisol Ink: Used in screen printing, this ink produces bright and long-lasting results.
- Water-based Ink: Also used in screen printing, this ink is a more eco-friendly option and provides a softer feel.
- Heat Press: Required for heat transfer, sublimation, and curing DTG prints.
Not sure which materials match which printing methods and inks? Don’t worry, here’s our quick-fire guide for guidance at a glance.
| Material | Printing Method |
|---|---|
| Cotton | Best for screen printing and DTG. |
| Polyester | Best for sublimation printing. |
| Fabric Blends | Can work for multiple methods, though print durability may vary. |
Preparation is Everything: Our Tips for the Best Results
To produce the highest-quality printed t-shirt you can, preparation is key. Before you commence the printing process, we recommend paying special attention to the following things to ensure your results come out as intended:
- Use high-resolution images (300 DPI) to ensure sharp prints.
- Design in CMYK color mode for accurate color representation.
- Convert text to outlines in vector software to avoid font issues.
Let’s Take an Example: Screen Printing
With every step of our T-shirt printing guide covered, let’s run through an example of how you can transform one of our T-shirts with nothing but ink and a great idea. Let’s run through how to screen-print T-shirts for top-quality results.
Pre-treatment
Make sure to wash and dry your T-shirt before commencing with printing. This will ensure that it is free of any residue that might affect the sharpness of your design. We also recommend applying a pre-treatment solution if required for your particular ink or material. Give your T-shirt enough time to dry before printing.
Screen Printing
Screen printing uses a mesh and stencil to press an ink design into the fabric. Begin by placing a piece of cardboard beneath the garment to prevent ink bleed, then position the design stencil over the garment. Using a squeegee, press down from the top to the bottom to transfer the design. Maintain a 45-degree angle and consistent pressure throughout the process.
Curing
Once the transfer is complete, heat set the ink using a heat press or dryer to ensure durability. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s information for clarity on the recommended temperature and duration of this step.
Check Out Our Expert Print Guide
Want to learn more about T-shirt printing?
Discover the Perfect T With AWDis
Tired of looking for a T-shirt that’s comfortable, durable, and built to show off your brand? At AWDis, we’ve got the T-shirts you’ve been looking for, as well as the hoodies, shorts, sweats, and everything in between.
No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got the customizable apparel you need at AWDis. Got questions? Contact us – our team is always here to help!
