Custom T-Shirt Photo Printing: Where To Get It Done?

If you're looking to print a photo on a T-shirt, there are several online services that can help you do this. Custom Ink, for example, offers three different options for printing photographs on a shirt, including full-color process printing and halftone printing. You can also upload your own design to VistaPrint, which offers a range of T-shirt styles, fits, and colors. However, if you already have a T-shirt and want to bring it in for printing, you may need to find a local screen printer. Some online services, such as Custom Ink, also offer this option, but it's important to check their policies beforehand.

Online custom T-shirt printing companies

There are many online custom T-shirt printing companies that can help you print your desired photo on a T-shirt. Here are some of the top companies in this industry:

Broken Arrow Wear

Broken Arrow Wear is a highly experienced company that has been in the custom apparel business for over 30 years. They offer an extensive range of services, including screen printing, direct-to-garment digital printing, all-over printing, rhinestones, and sublimation. Their online design tool features over 13,000 pieces of clipart and hundreds of design ideas, making it a convenient option for those who want to design their T-shirts themselves. Additionally, they have a staff of artists who can create custom designs, tweak your logo, or turn your logo into an all-over T-shirt print, all free of charge. Broken Arrow Wear provides all-inclusive pricing, and their central US location enables them to offer quick standard delivery times and affordable rush order deliveries.

Custom Ink

Custom Ink is the largest online custom T-shirt retail printer in the nation. They offer an extensive "T-shirt design lab" with a wide variety of clip art designs to choose from. The company provides live chat, long business hours, and friendly staff to assist customers. Custom Ink caters to those who prefer to design their T-shirts independently, but they also offer custom designs with their all-inclusive pricing. The price per shirt decreases as the quantity of the order increases. However, their prices tend to be on the higher end, possibly due to their high-dollar marketing and advertising campaigns.

Uberprints

Uberprints is an excellent option if you want to design your T-shirt yourself. They usually ship T-shirts out seven days after the order is placed, although some orders can take up to two weeks. Uberprints also offers the unique option of printing matching T-shirts for you and your pet. However, shipping is only free for orders over $100.

Discount Mugs

Discount Mugs stands out by offering a wide range of products beyond T-shirts, including mugs, pens, toys, and other promotional items. Their online pricing grid makes it easy to understand the pricing based on quantity and printing method. They have D-lab design software that allows you to upload your design and place it on various product choices. However, they do not appear to offer custom artwork services, so you need to have your design or file ready before placing an order.

VistaPrint

VistaPrint is a well-known online retailer that specializes in paper product printing, offering high-quality business cards, stationery, and more. They also provide T-shirt printing services with a decent print quality and a good selection of clipart. However, if you're looking for highly customized T-shirt designs, VistaPrint may not be the best option. Their website has an online T-shirt design tool, but it offers fewer features compared to some of the other companies mentioned. Additionally, VistaPrint is known for having lengthy checkout processes with multiple special offers and long hold times.

These companies provide a range of options for your custom T-shirt printing needs, each with its own unique strengths and features. Be sure to explore their websites to find the one that best suits your specific requirements.

Local print shops

If you're looking to print a photo on a T-shirt, there are several online services that can help you with this. However, if you're looking for a local print shop, you have a few options:

• Search for local print shops in your area using Google or other search engines. You can try searching for terms like "T-shirt printing near me" or "custom T-shirt printing near me". This will provide you with a list of nearby print shops that offer T-shirt printing services.
• Visit local print shops in your area and inquire about their services. Many print shops may not have their services listed online, so it's worth asking in person.
• Check with local businesses or organisations that may have their own printing equipment or partnerships with print shops. For example, universities or schools often have their own screen printing services or relationships with local print shops.
• Reach out to local artists or designers who may have connections to print shops in the area. They might be able to recommend specific print shops that can help you with your T-shirt printing needs.

When choosing a local print shop, it's important to consider factors such as cost, turnaround time, minimum order quantities, and the types of printing techniques they offer (e.g., screen printing, direct-to-garment digital printing, or heat transfer printing). Additionally, some print shops may have restrictions on the types of shirts they allow, so it's always a good idea to inquire about their policies before placing your order.

Screen printing

Firstly, you need to gather your materials. You will need a non-toxic, water-based ink for fabric printing, a screen (either ready-made or one you've made yourself), a squeegee or a hard piece of plastic, plain paper, a craft knife, masking tape, and your T-shirt.

Next, you need to create your artwork. You can either design the artwork yourself or have it brought to you by a customer. The better the quality of the artwork, the better the quality of the screen print. You can use programs like Illustrator, Photoshop, or Procreate to create your artwork and separate the colours.

Once you have your artwork, you need to print a film positive. A film positive transparency is like an overhead transparency, which you will use to burn the image into a silk screen. You can either pay a local print shop to print the film, hand-draw the image, or purchase a compatible printer.

After you have printed the films, you need to make the screen. A screen printing frame is made of wood or aluminium and is stretched with polyester mesh. The mesh holds the image and lets ink pass through when you press it with a squeegee. You will need to coat the mesh with emulsion and expose it to light to burn the image onto the screen.

Now you are ready to set up your screen printing press. You will need to tape off the edges of your frame with screen printing tape to prevent ink from getting where you don't want it. If you are printing multiple colours, you will need to register the colours together so they line up correctly.

Finally, you are ready to print your shirts. Apply pallet adhesive to the platen to help the shirt stick and not move around. Load your shirt onto the press and align your printhead. Before locking the printhead, flood the screen with ink. Once locked, push or pull the ink across the screen and onto the shirt. You may need to do this more than once. If printing multiple colours, repeat with your other screens.

Don't forget to cure your print once you are done so that it lasts and doesn't degrade. You can cure your print with a conveyor dryer or a flash dryer, following the temperature instructions on the ink container.

Direct-to-garment digital printing

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a method that sprays ink onto garments and is similar to printing on paper. It is an excellent option for those who want to add complex, multi-colour designs on t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and other similar fabric items. DTG-printed designs soak into the clothing fibres, ensuring the prints don't sit on top of the fabric, remain uncracked over time, and feel comfortable for the wearer.

DTG printing is a great way to get full-colour prints on just a few shirts. It is often cheaper than screen printing for multiple-colour images on small runs. It is best used for items that require large amounts of detail and/or print colours, and for orders of fewer than six pieces. The ink is applied thinner than in screen printing, so digital printing is best used on lighter-coloured shirts to allow the design to shine through.

DTG printing is ideal for those wanting more colour, higher detail, more customisation, and quicker turnaround times than screen printing. It is also a good option for those who don't want to make a large upfront investment, as each t-shirt can be ordered separately.

DTG printing works with the artwork as a whole, accepting both pixels and vectors. Ideally, the artwork should be saved as a type of file that preserves the quality of the image, such as TIFF or PDF.

Custom embroidery

If you're looking to bring your own T-shirt to a store for custom embroidery, there are several options available to you. Many companies offer custom embroidery services, allowing you to add a personal touch to your garments. Here are some details and options to consider:

Online Platforms:

• Printful: This platform offers custom embroidery services with a wide range of options. You can choose from 15 vibrant thread colours and various placement options, such as the left chest, centre chest, left sleeve, or right sleeve. Printful also offers group ordering and worldwide shipping.
• Etsy: Etsy is a great option for custom embroidery, with numerous sellers offering personalised services. You can find a variety of custom embroidered T-shirts, sweatshirts, and polo shirts. Many sellers provide custom portrait services, allowing you to add unique designs, such as family photos or pet portraits.

Brick-and-Mortar Stores:

• Underground Printing: With over 20 years of experience, Underground Printing offers premium custom embroidery services. They have 13 cutting-edge machines to bring your vision to life, no matter the scale. Their services include custom T-shirts, polos, crewnecks, and hats.
• Threadlogic: Threadlogic provides custom embroidery specifically for business and promotional purposes. They offer free embroidery and have no minimum order requirements. You can upload your logo easily and create a uniform look for your team.

When considering where to bring your T-shirt for custom embroidery, it's important to think about the purpose, whether it's for business, a special occasion, or personal use. Additionally, factors such as turnaround time, shipping options, and customisation capabilities may influence your decision.

Frequently asked questions