Design Your Own T-Shirt: Top Online Platforms

There are many ways to create your own T-shirt design, from iron-on transfers and direct-to-garment printing to screen printing and fabric painting. The cheapest method is to use a print-on-demand service, such as Printify, which allows you to design and order T-shirts online without having to invest in equipment or order fulfilment. However, if you want to create a T-shirt yourself, you can use iron-on transfer paper, which is a budget-friendly option, or invest in a direct-to-garment (DTG) printer for a more high-tech process.

Direct-to-garment printing

The DTG process involves several steps. Firstly, the artwork is prepared and checked for any issues that may negatively impact the final print. This includes checking for compression artefacts, colour profiling, and colour correction to ensure the design pairs well with the chosen garment colour. Secondly, the fabric is pre-treated with a solution to help the ink bond to the fabric. This is typically done using a machine that sprays liquid onto the fabric.

The third step is to print the design onto the garment using an inkjet printer specifically designed for DTG printing. These printers use specialised inks that are formulated for fabrics and produce high-quality prints in a wide range of colours. The inks soak into the clothing fibres, ensuring the prints remain uncracked, comfortable, and vibrant.

Finally, the garment must be cured using a heat press to set the ink and make it permanent. This process applies heat and pressure to fix the ink in place. DTG printing is a relatively simple process that offers advantages over other printing methods, such as screen printing, especially when it comes to smaller order sizes, complex designs, and quicker turnaround times.

DTG printing works best with 100% cotton products or blends with a high proportion of cotton. It is not recommended for soft, fluffy materials or polyester fabrics. The pretreatment process may vary, with some using a machine that automatically applies the pretreatment solution, while others do it manually with a pretreatment spray.

Print-on-demand services

How Print-on-Demand Services Work:

• Design: You can create your own designs using programs like Adobe Illustrator or similar free alternatives. It's recommended to use vector graphics for the best print quality.
• Choose a Platform: Select a print-on-demand platform, such as Printify or Printful, that suits your needs in terms of product offerings, shipping times, and printing methods.
• Upload and Customize: Upload your design to the platform and customize it using their online tools. You can also use their mockup generators to visualize your design on the t-shirt.
• Order Samples: It's a good idea to order samples of your t-shirts to check the print quality and ensure they meet your expectations.
• Set up an Online Store: Many print-on-demand services integrate with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or eBay, making it easy to set up an online store for your custom t-shirts.
• Customer Places an Order: When a customer places an order from your online store, the print-on-demand service will handle the production and shipping directly to the customer.
• Pay for Fulfillment: You only pay the print-on-demand service for the orders that have been fulfilled, with no upfront inventory costs.

Best Print-on-Demand Services:

• Printful: Offers a wide range of products, including clothing, home décor, and accessories. Provides a built-in editor, mockup generator, and logo maker. Handles all production, packaging, and shipping. Integrates with various e-commerce platforms.
• Printify: Boasts the largest selection of customizable products, thanks to its global network of printing partners. Offers diverse printing options and flexible shipping costs. Provides transparent pricing and real-time shipping updates.
• Gooten: Features a diverse catalog of over 280 print-on-demand products, including apparel, wall art, home décor, drinkware, and accessories. Offers flat-rate shipping and discounted rates for additional items in the same order.
• Apliiq: Specializes in custom clothing, allowing merchants to create retail-quality private-label shirts and other apparel. Offers customizable labels, tags, and interior linings. Provides quality assurance with in-house production artists. Supports dropshipping and bulk ordering options.
• Gelato: Delivers to over 200 countries through its network of more than 100 printing partners. Offers a cutting-edge design tool and a Shutterstock library with millions of images. Provides 24/7 customer support and integrates easily with e-commerce platforms.
• Spreadconnect: Known for its quick fulfillment times, with 95% of orders shipped within 48 hours. Offers competitive pricing and straightforward shipping costs based on order value. Includes a 20% discount on sample orders.

These print-on-demand services can help you create and sell custom t-shirts without the hassle of inventory management or upfront costs. Choose the one that best suits your needs and start turning your t-shirt ideas into reality!

Iron-on transfer paper

Step 1: Print Your Design

First, you'll need to create your design using a program like Adobe Illustrator or a free alternative. Remember to mirror the image if you're using transfer paper for light-coloured shirts. Prepare the materials by cutting out your design and ensuring your t-shirt is wrinkle-free.

Step 2: Prepare Your Materials

Gather your materials, including an inkjet printer, transfer paper, an iron, and scissors. Cut out your design neatly and carefully. It's also important to pre-iron your t-shirt to ensure it's free of wrinkles and creases before applying the transfer.

Step 3: Apply the Image

Place the transfer paper with the design facing down if you're using light-coloured fabrics, and facing up if you're using dark shirts. Position the design on the desired area of the t-shirt.

Step 4: Iron the Design

Apply firm pressure with a hot iron, starting from the centre and moving outwards. Make sure to follow the instructions provided with your transfer paper, as different brands may have specific requirements.

Step 5: Peel Off the Paper

Allow the transfer to cool down before carefully peeling off the paper backing. Always wash the t-shirt inside out to protect your design and prolong its lifespan.

Screen printing

Selecting Your T-Shirt Design

First, select a plain, clean, unwrinkled T-shirt to screen print a design onto. Avoid laundering your shirt with fabric softener or dryer sheets, as this may prevent the ink from setting. If there are any wrinkles in your shirt, iron them out. Find or draw a black-and-white image to use for your design. Keep the design simple if this is your first time screen printing. As you become more experienced, try to integrate more complex designs. If you find an image online, use a program like Photoshop, Microsoft Word, or Microsoft PowerPoint to alter it. If you draw the image by hand, outline it with a thick black marker and scan it to your computer. Print the black-and-white design onto a clear transparency sheet.

Setting up the Silkscreen

Set up your workstation in a dim room and cover the surface with newspaper to protect it from the harsh chemicals. Mix some emulsion and sensitizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When mixed, these chemicals will harden when exposed to UV light. This is called photo emulsion. Elevate a silkscreen by placing a pushpin into each corner on the flat side. A silkscreen is a wooden frame covered with thin mesh. After being covered with emulsion, it will become a stencil for your design. Put 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 mL) of emulsion into the well of the frame. Use a squeegee to spread the emulsion over the screen. Flip the frame over and cover the flat side of the screen with emulsion. Rest the screen on the push pins and leave it to set in a dim space overnight.

Exposing the Emulsion to Light

Place the transparency sheet and a glass sheet onto the flat side of the frame. Make sure the room is still dim. If your image is not symmetrical, lay the transparency sheet onto the screen so the image appears backward. This is important for text-based images, otherwise, the image will print backward. Position a light source with a 250-watt light bulb above the layered frame. The light will harden the emulsion that is not blocked by your design. Expose the emulsion to the light according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It can take anywhere from 1 minute to 1 hour for the emulsion to harden.

Transferring the Design onto Your T-Shirt

Slip a piece of cardboard into your shirt to keep the fabric layers from touching. Position the flat side of the screen against the front of your T-shirt. Place the image in the upper center portion of the shirt for a traditional look, or off-center for a less conventional design. Just make sure that the fabric underneath the screen is not bunched or wrinkled. Put 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of screen printing ink above your design. Use a second, clean squeegee to pull the ink across your design. Pull the ink in a single direction to ensure that you create a smooth, thin layer. Remove the screen from the T-shirt and allow the ink to dry before setting it. Set the dried ink with heat to permanently press the design onto the T-shirt.

Heat transfer vinyl printing

Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) printing is a highly versatile method for creating custom t-shirts at home. HTV printing is an excellent option for hobbyists, as it can be applied to multiple fabric types, including cotton, polyester, and denim. This method is also very durable and aesthetically pleasing.

To get started with HTV printing, you will need to purchase a few key materials, including a roll of heat-transfer vinyl, a vinyl cutter, a weeder, a heat press, and a plain t-shirt. The cost of these materials can vary, with a roll of HTV costing just a few dollars, while vinyl cutters can range from a couple of hundred to thousands of dollars.

Once you have gathered the necessary materials, the HTV printing process can be broken down into a few simple steps:

Step 1: Create Your Design

Use vector graphic software to create your desired design. This design will then be sent to your vinyl cutter, so be sure to follow the appropriate file format and machine settings.

Step 2: Cut Out the Vinyl

After creating your design, send it to your vinyl cutter to be cut out. The cutter will translate your digital design into a working file and apply it to the rolled-out vinyl. Adjust your cutter's settings according to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure a precise cut.

Step 3: Weed Excess Area

Using a weeder, remove any excess HTV material around the cutlines. A weeder is a metal crafting tool that helps to even out the HTV lines and scrape off any unwanted vinyl from your design.

Step 4: Apply Heat Press

Place the vinyl design on the heat press machine, ensuring that the adhesive side is facing down on the shirt. Cover it with wax paper or another protective coating. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for temperature, pressure, and timing settings.

Step 5: Remove the Vinyl Carrier

After the heat press is complete and the vinyl has cooled down, gently fold off the vinyl carrier. Your custom t-shirt is now ready to be worn and shown off!

Care Instructions for HTV Prints:

To ensure the longevity of your HTV design, it is important to follow proper care instructions:

• Wait at least 24 to 48 hours before washing the garment to allow the adhesive to fully bond.
• Wash the garment gently by hand and avoid rubbing the fabric together.
• Avoid using harsh detergents or bleach, as they may damage the design.
• Do not dry clean the garment, as the chemicals can degrade the transfer.
• Allow the garment to air dry naturally, avoiding tumble drying or wringing.
• When ironing, turn the garment inside out and use a pressing cloth to protect the design.

Frequently asked questions