Get A Shiny Print T-Shirt: Simple Tricks For Beginners

There are several ways to get a shiny print on a T-shirt. One way is to use a special ink that is metallic and shiny, such as gold or silver ink. Another way is to use foil screen printing, where a design is printed with a special adhesive ink and then heat-pressed with foil to create a shiny effect. This method can be used with standard screen printing inks to create unique designs. Foil printing is available in various colours and patterns, including gold, silver, black, red, blue, copper, green, and rainbow. It is important to note that foil printing may require special care to maintain its shine and that the shine may fade with each wash.

Foil printing

When creating your design, consider that the shimmer and shine of foil printing will fade with each wash. To increase the lifespan of your foil-printed T-shirt, design with a distressed pattern. This way, when the foil begins to fade and crack over time, it will be less noticeable.

Heat transfer

There are several types of heat transfer printing, including inkjet transfers, dye sublimation transfers, digital appliqué transfers, and vinyl transfers. Inkjet transfers use inkjet ink, the most commonly used type of ink due to its accessibility and affordability. Dye sublimation transfers, also known as all-over printing (AOP), are ideal for light-coloured synthetic materials, especially those with a high percentage of polyester. Digital appliqué transfers and vinyl transfers are other subtypes of heat transfer printing.

The heat transfer printing process can be broken down into the following steps:

• Create your design using graphic design software, taking into account the size and ink colour.
• Print your design onto special heat transfer paper using inkjet ink, pigment ink, or sublimation ink, depending on the product and application.
• Cut out your design using a vinyl cutter (this step is optional and only necessary for certain types of transfers).
• Warm up the heat press by opening it up and separating the heat platen from the heat pad. The ideal temperature for most heat transfer applications is between 350 to 375°F (177 to 191°C).
• Adjust the pressure of the press based on the thickness of the fabric. Thicker fabrics require less pressure, while most projects use medium or high pressure.
• Set the time according to the type of heat transfer:

• Digital Appliqué Transfer: 20 to 30 seconds
• Inkjet Transfer Paper: 14 to 18 seconds
• Vinyl Transfer: 45 to 60 seconds
• Dye Sublimation Transfer: 25 to 30 seconds

• Place your t-shirt onto the plate and position the transfer paper face up on the desired location within the pressing area. For appliqué and vinyl transfers, cover the transfer paper with a thin cloth to protect it.
• Close the press and pull the handle down to clamp it shut.
• Once the timer goes off, open the press and remove the film while the transfer paper is still hot. Your design should now be printed onto the t-shirt.

Specialty inks

Foil Transfers

Foil transfers are perfect for adding a reflective, metallic surface to your T-shirt design. The process involves printing your design with a special adhesive ink, then using a heat press to adhere the foil to the adhesive. Gold and silver are the standard colours, but you can also request custom colours like rainbow, swirl, or other patterns. Foil transfers work best with large, bold prints and high-impact designs.

Neon Inks

Neon inks are super-bright fluorescent inks that add intensity to your T-shirt design. They are available in a range of colours, including blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink, magenta, and purple. These semi-transparent inks are printed over a base of pure white ink, ensuring that your neon shade stands out regardless of the colour of the T-shirt.

Glitter Ink

Glitter ink is a clear, hyper-glittered top coat that can be printed on top of the colours in your design. It adds sparkle and versatility to your T-shirt design.

Reflective Film

Reflective film is perfect for those who want high-visibility apparel. It reflects any bright light, such as headlights, making it a popular choice for construction workers, policemen, and anyone who wants to be seen in the dark. It works best with larger areas of print and simple designs with few thin lines.

Glow-in-the-Dark Ink

Glow-in-the-dark ink is a fun option for T-shirt designs that you want to be seen at night. It is a translucent treatment printed over a base of white ink, appearing off-white in the light and glowing lime green in the dark.

Metallic Inks

Metallic inks are another way to achieve a metallic surface in your design. The inks themselves are metallic and are available in silver and gold. They work best when there are no small details to fill, as the ink is thicker than normal ink.

Puff Ink

Puff ink adds dimension to your design, giving it a raised, puffed look. It has rounded edges for a soft look and feel.

Vinyl foil

The foil-printing process involves two steps. First, the shape of your design is screen-printed using a special adhesive ink. Then, the foil is applied over the adhesive and heat-pressed to adhere it to the garment. The combination of heat and pressure seals the foil onto the T-shirt. This process can be done by a professional screen-printing company or by using a heat transfer machine.

Foil printing is quite durable and long-lasting, but the shine will slightly fade with each wash. To increase the lifespan of your foil-printed T-shirts, you can create a distressed pattern or combine foil with standard inks for a unique design.

When caring for foil-printed T-shirts, hand washing is the safest option. If machine washing is necessary, turn the garment inside out and use a delicate cycle. Hang drying is recommended for the best results.

Foil printing is a versatile technique that can be used on various fabrics and hard materials like ceramics and paper. It is often used for sports and dance team uniforms, wedding celebrations, retail clothing designs, and corporate logos. The reflective and metallic appearance of foil printing makes designs stand out, especially on dark-coloured clothing.

Foil vinyl

The process starts with printing your design with a special adhesive ink. Then, using a heat press, the gold foil or foil of another colour is adhered to the adhesive ink. The combination of heat and pressure seals the foil onto the garment. You can also combine foil and standard inks for a unique design. Foil vinyl printing is often used for special events such as weddings and bachelorette parties.

Foil printing is quite durable, but the shine will slightly fade with each wash. To increase the lifespan of your foil-printed t-shirts, it is recommended to create a distressed pattern as distressed foil prints fade much less noticeably. When it comes to caring for your foil-printed t-shirts, hand washing is the safest option. If you need to use a washing machine, turn the t-shirt inside out and wash it on a delicate cycle. For the best results, hang dry the t-shirt.

Frequently asked questions