Creating Custom T-Shirts: Using An Image And Text

Making your own T-shirt is a fun and creative process that allows you to showcase your unique style and personality. Whether you're designing a T-shirt for a special event, promoting your business, or simply expressing yourself, there are many ways to go about it. You can start by choosing a T-shirt style and colour that suits your needs, and then decide on the design you want to create. You can either design your T-shirt from scratch or use a template as a starting point. When it comes to printing your design, you have options like screen printing, direct-to-garment digital printing, or custom embroidery. With no minimum order quantities required for most services, you can create a single custom T-shirt or order in bulk. So, get your creative juices flowing and make your own T-shirt today!

T-shirt design software

There are many T-shirt design software options available, ranging from freeware to premium packages for professionals. Some software options include Adobe Express, Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, Canva, Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Inkscape, and GIMP. These software tools offer various features, such as vector or raster graphics, design templates, image libraries, and integration with e-commerce platforms.

When choosing T-shirt design software, consider factors such as cost, ease of use, design capabilities, templates, integrations, and customer support. Evaluate your budget, skill level, and specific design needs to select the most suitable software for your requirements.

T-shirt printing methods

There are several methods for printing designs onto T-shirts, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is an overview of some of the most common T-shirt printing methods:

Screen Printing

Screen printing is one of the most popular and widely used T-shirt printing methods, especially for bulk orders. It involves using screens to apply ink directly to the T-shirts through a mesh screen. This process can be time-consuming for complex and colourful graphics, as each colour requires a separate screen. However, it is very cost-effective for large orders with the same design and produces high-quality, long-lasting artwork.

Heat Transfer Printing

Heat transfer printing is similar to dye-sublimation printing. The design is printed onto a special heat transfer paper and then heat-pressed onto the T-shirt. This method is great for printing digital photographs and designs with multiple colours and complex details. It is also relatively inexpensive, with equipment costing around $500. However, the print quality is lower than other methods, and the design may crack or fade over time.

Direct to Garment (DTG) Printing

DTG printing is ideal for small orders and fill-in orders, as it requires very little prep work. The T-shirt is inserted directly into the DTG printer, where it is sprayed and soaked with ink to create the design. This method is suitable for colourful designs and can produce complex designs with high-quality results. However, it is designed for cotton use only and does not work well on 100% polyester shirts. DTG printers are also very costly, ranging from $5,000 to $500,000.

Dye-Sublimation Printing

Dye-sublimation printing, also known as sublimation, is a popular method for printing on polyester T-shirts. The design is printed onto a special sublimation paper and then heat-pressed onto the shirt. The dye on the paper converts from a solid to a gas and embeds itself into the fabric, resulting in a durable print with an extremely smooth texture. This method can produce super vivid and colourful designs and is perfect for more complicated designs. However, it is limited to fabrics that contain at least 65% polyester, and it works best with lighter colours.

CAD Cut Vinyl

CAD Cut Vinyl is a unique printing method that doesn't use any ink. Instead, a design is created on a special computer program that links to a machine, which cuts the vinyl. The cut vinyl is then heat-pressed onto the desired location on the T-shirt. This method is fast and works on almost any material. However, the vinyl can be stiff and uncomfortable for the wearer, so designs need to be small. Multicoloured designs are also difficult to execute, and the equipment can be costly.

T-shirt materials

Cotton

Cotton is a natural fiber that is comfortable, soft, and breathable—all desirable qualities in a T-shirt. It is also biodegradable and cost-effective. However, cotton tends to hold moisture, resulting in longer drying times. It is also prone to wrinkling, shrinking, and fading over time. There are several types of cotton used for T-shirts, including ringspun cotton, combed and ringspun cotton, organic cotton, slub cotton, Pima cotton, and pique cotton.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fabric, usually made from plastic, that repels water and moisture. It is quick-drying, resistant to stains, odours, wrinkles, and shrinking. However, it is not as breathable as cotton and can be irritating to some people's skin. Polyester is also not biodegradable.

Cotton/Polyester Blends

Cotton/polyester blended fabrics combine the benefits of both cotton and polyester. They are soft, comfortable, quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant, and durable. However, they can be irritating to the skin and are less biodegradable. Blends with high cotton content may also be prone to shrinking.

Linen

Linen is a natural fabric made from flax plant fibers. It is lightweight, breathable, and ideal for warm weather. Linen is known for its distinct texture and slightly crisp feel, making it a popular choice for casual and summer wear. It is also strong and long-lasting but requires regular ironing to maintain its crisp look.

Other Materials

Other materials used for T-shirts include bamboo, tri-blends (a combination of cotton, polyester, and rayon), flannel, corduroy, and twill. These fabrics offer unique qualities such as durability, insulation, and a vintage or retro aesthetic. However, they may be less breathable, less stretchy, or more heavyweight than other T-shirt materials.

T-shirt sizing

• Decide on your sizes: Before introducing t-shirt sizing to your team, decide on the sizes you want to use. Stick to basic sizes like Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large to avoid confusion.
• Align on what each size represents: Ensure everyone on the team understands what each size means. Provide common examples of a Small vs. Large project to give context.
• Decide who assigns t-shirt sizes: Depending on your team structure, you can limit who assigns sizes or allow the entire team to do so. For instance, in Agile teams running Scrum, the Scrum master reviews t-shirt sizes assigned by the product owner before a sprint.
• Assign t-shirt sizes to each initiative: Ensure that each piece of work has an associated t-shirt size so that you and your team members understand the effort required.
• Track t-shirt sizes using a work management tool: Use a shared work management tool like Asana to track t-shirt sizes for each task. This provides clear insight into each team member's workload.
• Use t-shirt sizing to gauge workload: By assigning t-shirt sizes, you can also track workload management and ensure team members aren't overworked.

T-shirt care instructions

To ensure your T-shirts remain in tip-top condition, it is essential to care for them properly. There are many ways to damage the print or fabric without even realising, whether it's through washing, drying, ironing, or storing.

Pre-Washing

Customised garments need at least 24 hours to rest before their first wash. This is to allow the ink to cure and adhere to the fabric. Before washing, stretch the fabric in the printed area to ensure the print is intact. You should also run your fingers over the border to check that the print has been perfectly transferred.

Washing

• Always turn your T-shirt inside out before washing to provide more protection for the print and reduce direct contact with other clothes.
• Wash T-shirts with cold water and dry them on a permanent press to avoid wrinkles. There is no need to wash in hot water, and cold water will help colours last longer.
• Separate your T-shirts by colour and fabric type. Wash white shirts together, and do not mix with other colours. Printed T-shirts should not be washed with jeans or other abrasive fabrics, as this may cause the print to peel.
• Do not use bleach or bleach-containing detergents, as these may destroy prints.
• Set the washing machine on a cotton cycle with cold or warm water (typically 80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Do not use bleach or hydrogen peroxide, whether separate or contained within the detergent.
• Do not use lye-based, tallow, or homemade soaps.
• Do not use fabric softeners.

Drying

• Tumble dry on low or medium heat, and do not over-dry.
• Avoid direct sunlight when hanging T-shirts to dry, as this can cause colours to fade and printed images to peel.
• Avoid using the dryer as much as possible, as heat is bad for prints, and can cause clothing to shrink.
• The best way to dry T-shirts is on a washing line, avoiding direct contact with sunlight.

Ironing

• Do not iron a T-shirt that is still wet, as this will cause the fibres to deform.
• Iron T-shirts inside out on a low setting.
• For printed T-shirts, do not place the iron directly on the print, as this will cause it to melt, discolour, and deform.
• If there is no print on the outside of the T-shirt, you can iron the outside with one step lower heat.

Storing

• Do not hang T-shirts, as this can cause them to stretch.
• Fold T-shirts and store them vertically in your closet or a box to avoid creasing and manipulation when taking them out.
• For printed T-shirts, do not fold the two printed sides together, as this can cause sticking and smudging.

General Tips

• Always read and follow the care instructions on the inside of the T-shirt.
• Wash T-shirts gently and dry them out of direct sunlight.
• When storing, fold the sleeves toward the back, then fold the T-shirt in half once crosswise. Keep them in a light stack on a shelf.
• For cotton T-shirts, wash in cold water (30°C or below) and air dry. Iron while still slightly damp, or use the steam setting on your iron.
• For printed T-shirts, turn them inside out and wash on a gentle cycle.
• Avoid using harsh cleaning detergents or bleach to offer maximum protection for the print.

Frequently asked questions