Stamping Your Logo: Guide To Branding Your T-Shirts

Stamping a logo on a T-shirt is a great way to showcase your brand or business. Whether you're a fashion designer or a business owner, customising your T-shirts with stamps can add a unique, personal touch. You can design and print your own T-shirts using online platforms like Canva, or you can purchase stamping kits from companies like BigStamping. These kits offer an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution, allowing you to stamp multiple T-shirts whenever and wherever you want. Additionally, you can explore online printing companies, such as Custom Ink, that provide custom logo T-shirts with various printing methods like screen printing and direct-to-garment printing.

Choosing a stamping kit

When choosing a stamping kit, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is important to think about the type of project you want to undertake. For example, if you are looking to stamp multiple garments, a kit with a stamping machine may be more suitable. These machines vary in their functionality, with some offering 360-degree swing-away technology, and others offering different types of heat transfer methods. If you are looking to stamp multiple items, it may be worth investing in a machine that has interchangeable parts, such as different plates for stamping hats, mugs, or plates, as well as t-shirts.

If you are looking to undertake a smaller project, or one-off stamping, a kit with individual stamps may be more suitable. These kits often come with upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and punctuation, allowing you to create a custom message. These kits are perfect for those who want to stamp a smaller number of items, or those who want to test out the process before investing in a machine.

Another factor to consider is the type of ink or paint you wish to use. Some kits come with a small amount of black and white fabric paint, whereas others offer a wider range of colours in ink form. It is worth noting that some kits advertise their inks as eco-friendly and water-based, which may be an important factor for some.

Finally, it is worth considering any time constraints you may have. If you are looking for a quick solution, a stamping machine may be the best option as they can produce multiple stamped items in a short space of time. Individual stamp kits may take longer, depending on the size of your project.

Uploading your logo to a t-shirt template

For example, Custom Ink allows you to upload your own art/logo to your design by clicking on the "Add Art" tab in the Design Lab. You will then be asked to specify the format of the file you are trying to upload, and then simply upload the file. They support all popular image file formats and offer a file size limit of 5MB.

DesignMantic also offers a similar service, with a free-to-use t-shirt maker where you can upload your logo and customise your t-shirt. However, they do not currently support the feature to upload your own logo, but instead, you can use their logo-maker to design one and then add it to the t-shirt maker studio.

Zazzle is another platform that allows you to upload your own photo or logo to a t-shirt template. They offer a wide range of t-shirt styles and colours to choose from, including long sleeve and short sleeve options.

Canva is a sustainable, eco-conscious manufacturer that uses Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing with certified Safe-for-Children inks. They offer a range of free design templates that you can customise with your own uploaded images, graphics, and text. You can also access their library of millions of free images, icons, and graphics to use in your design.

Selecting a t-shirt colour

When stamping a logo on a T-shirt, the T-shirt colour is an important consideration. The right colour combination of the T-shirt and the ink can make your design stand out, whereas a poor combination may cause your design to blend into the T-shirt.

Firstly, consider the colour of your logo. If your logo is light-coloured, it will stand out best on a dark-coloured T-shirt, and vice versa. For example, a white or light-coloured ink will be more legible against a dark T-shirt. This is because the contrast between the ink and the T-shirt colour will make the logo pop.

If your logo is multicoloured, you may want to consider whether certain colours stand out more than others against the T-shirt colour. For example, a multicoloured logo printed on a light-coloured T-shirt may only be legible for the darker colours within the logo.

You can also consider the emotions that different T-shirt colours may evoke. For example, red is associated with excitement and danger, blue with trustworthiness and reliability, and yellow with happiness and playfulness.

Before printing your T-shirts, create a mockup design with the T-shirt colour you want. This will allow you to visualise how the colours, location, and placement will look before printing. You can then easily make any necessary changes to the size, colour, location, or placement of the logo.

Ordering your custom t-shirt

Next, you will need to design your logo or image to be stamped onto the t-shirt. You can do this yourself using graphic design software, or you can use a service such as Canva, which offers free design templates and drag-and-drop design tools. Alternatively, you can use a site like Etsy, where you can find designers to create a custom logo for you.

Once you have your design, you can either purchase a stamping kit to stamp the t-shirts yourself, or you can use a printing service such as Custom Ink, which offers custom logo printing with no minimum order quantity. If you choose to use a printing service, you will need to upload your design to their website, select your preferred t-shirt style and colour, and specify the number of shirts you want. You can also choose to have your logo printed on the front, back, pocket, or sleeves of the shirt.

After finalizing your order, you can expect delivery within 2 weeks, or you can opt for a rush service if you need the shirts sooner.

Caring for your custom t-shirt

Custom t-shirts are a fun way to express yourself and showcase your unique style. Whether you've designed a t-shirt for a special event or are looking to add a personal touch to your wardrobe, proper care will ensure your custom t-shirt stays in top condition for years to come. Here are some detailed instructions to help you care for your custom t-shirt:

Washing Instructions:

• Always wash your custom t-shirt with similar colours. Wash colours with colours and whites with whites.
• Turn your t-shirt inside out before washing to protect the print or design.
• Avoid using bleach or harsh detergents, as these can cause the design to deteriorate, crack, or peel over time. Instead, opt for non-chlorine bleach if needed.
• Wash your t-shirt in cold water to prevent colours from fading or running.

Drying Instructions:

• Avoid drying your custom t-shirt in direct sunlight. The UV rays can cause the colours to fade and may also damage the fabric and printed design.
• Allow your t-shirt to air dry in a shaded area.

General Care Tips:

• Always read the fabric care instructions on the shirt before washing.
• Be extra careful when wearing your custom t-shirt to avoid stains or damage.
• Measure your t-shirt size accurately before ordering to ensure a comfortable fit. Take measurements of your shoulder width, chest width, waist, sleeve length, and desired overall length.
• When designing your t-shirt, ensure your design has a resolution of at least 220 PPI to avoid pixelation when printed.
• Enhance your design for CMYK printing to achieve vibrant colours on the fabric.

Frequently asked questions