Custom T-Shirts: Where To Get Personalized Designs?

Whether you're looking for a one-of-a-kind gift, a uniform for your sports team, or some fun party favors, a personalized T-shirt is a great option. There are many online platforms that allow you to design and print custom T-shirts, with some even offering worldwide shipping and no minimum order requirements. Prices vary depending on the platform, the number of shirts ordered, and the complexity of the design, but it's easy to find a service that suits your needs and budget. So, get creative and make your own unique statement with a personalized T-shirt!

Online custom t-shirt printing companies

There are many online custom t-shirt printing companies that can help you design and print your own t-shirts. These companies offer various services, including screen printing, direct-to-garment digital printing, and custom embroidery, allowing you to create unique t-shirts for your team, school, company, or any other occasion.

One such company is Custom Ink, which offers an online tee-shirt design lab with exclusive artwork and fonts. They provide expert help seven days a week and have a wide selection of t-shirt brands to choose from, including Augusta, Bella + Canvas, Carhartt, Champion, and many more. Custom Ink's all-inclusive pricing is based on the type of t-shirt, the number of ink colours, and the total number of shirts ordered.

Another option is VistaPrint, which offers a range of custom t-shirt printing options, such as printed, embroidered, or 100% cotton t-shirts. They have a gallery of over 1,500 free templates to choose from or upload your own design. VistaPrint offers cotton, blend, and polyester options for their t-shirts, with sizes ranging from XXS to 5XL for adults and kids' sizes available as well.

Zazzle is another online custom t-shirt printing company that allows you to upload your own picture or image, add a message, and create your own t-shirt. They offer a variety of t-shirt styles for women, men, toddlers, and babies, with sales and discounts available.

With these companies and more, you can easily design and order custom t-shirts online, making it simple to create unique apparel for any occasion.

T-shirt printing methods

There are several methods for printing on 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 printing. It involves using screens to apply ink directly to the T-shirts through a mesh screen. This process can be done by machine or by hand. Screen printing produces high-quality, long-lasting prints and is cost-effective for large orders with simple designs. However, it can be messy, time-consuming, and requires a lot of space and specialised equipment.

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing

DTG printing is an inkjet technology that prints high-quality, full-colour, and photographic designs directly onto T-shirts. It is suitable for complex designs with multiple colours and small orders (1-5 T-shirts) as it requires minimal setup time and can print on demand. However, DTG printers are expensive and work best with 100% cotton T-shirts or fabrics with high cotton content.

Heat Transfer Printing

Heat transfer printing involves printing a design on special heat transfer paper and then using a heat press machine to apply it to the T-shirt. This method is similar to sublimation printing, which uses dye-based ink that transfers to the T-shirt when heated. Heat transfer printing is compatible with most materials and creates little mess, but it may not produce long-lasting results.

Dye-Sublimation Printing

Dye-sublimation printing is a variation of heat transfer printing that works by heating and pressing dye-based inks onto T-shirts, causing the ink to turn from solid to gas and then back to solid, embedding into the fabric. This method produces durable, soft, and breathable prints that won't fade, crack, or peel. However, it only works with polyblend-based T-shirts, preferably with a high percentage of polyester for vibrant colours.

CAD-Cut Heat Transfer Vinyl Printing

CAD-cut heat transfer vinyl printing is a method that uses a machine to cut designs and letters from coloured vinyl, which are then heat-pressed onto the T-shirt. This technique is suitable for small orders (1-3 colours) and simple graphics, such as text-based designs and sports jerseys. It can be applied to various fabrics, but the process of cutting and weeding the vinyl can be time-consuming.

Plastisol Transfers

Plastisol transfers are similar to screen printing but involve printing the artwork onto plastisol transfer paper and then heat-pressing it onto the T-shirt. This method offers similar quality to screen printing, allows for design testing, and works for both full-colour and simple designs. However, it can be expensive for large orders, and the prints may crack and wash out if not done correctly.

T-shirt design methods

There are several methods for designing a T-shirt, and the best option depends on your design, budget, and time constraints. Here is an overview of some popular T-shirt design methods:

Screen Printing

Screen printing, also known as silk screen printing, uses a stencil to transfer ink onto the T-shirt. This method is ideal for large quantities and promises high-quality results. However, it is not suitable for complex or intricate designs.

Heat Press Printing

This method involves using a professional CAD cutter to create the design, and then a heat press machine to transfer the design onto the T-shirt. Heat press printing is suitable for both small and large quantities, and the design does not deteriorate over time. However, it requires a special CAD cutter and can affect the flexibility of the T-shirt.

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing

DTG printing uses a DTG printer that works similarly to a paper printer by spraying ink onto the fabric. This technique is suitable for multiple designs but has a high investment cost and lower design durability.

Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing

DTF printing transfers graphics onto the fabric using a heat press technique. It can be applied to various materials, including cotton, fleece, nylon, and fabric blends. DTF printing offers excellent color vibrancy and sharpness, preserving a smooth look even after multiple washes. It is also suitable for intricate designs, including multi-colored artwork, photographs, and illustrations.

Sublimation Printing

Sublimation printing is commonly used for all-over prints, especially on 100% polyester or fabric blends with a high percentage of polyester. This method is popular for activewear, sports jerseys, and custom patterns.

When designing a T-shirt, it is important to consider factors such as the complexity of your design, the number of colors, the quantity of T-shirts, and your budget. Each printing method has its advantages and limitations, so choosing the right one will ensure that your final product meets your expectations.

T-shirt printing companies' shipping options

When it comes to shipping options, different t-shirt printing companies offer different services. Some companies offer standard, priority, and express shipping options, with free standard shipping on orders over a certain amount. For example, VistaPrint offers free standard shipping on orders over $100. Printful estimates that their t-shirt deliveries to the United States take 2-5 days, with over 50% of orders shipped within 3 business days. They also offer global shipping from the closest fulfilment centre to the customer.

Printify has a network of over 80 print providers across the globe, including the US, Canada, Europe, the UK, and Asia. They offer a dropshipping business model, which saves the customer time and money, as there is no need for upfront investments, extra storage space, or trips to the post office.

Custom Ink, on the other hand, does not appear to offer specific shipping options, but they do state that their sales team is ready to help with every step of the ordering process.

Zazzle offers free shipping with a Zazzle Plus Membership.

T-shirt printing costs

The cost of printing a personalised t-shirt varies depending on the company, the number of t-shirts ordered, the type of t-shirt, the number of colours in the design, and the number of sides to be printed on.

Custom Ink's pricing is determined by three primary factors: the specific product and colour, the number of ink colours, and the number of t-shirts ordered. They offer an all-inclusive price upfront, with no hidden setup charges or fees, and their prices include artwork assistance, print setup, free shipping, and guaranteed delivery dates. For example, their Hanes Tagless T-shirts range from $10 to $25 per t-shirt for one ink colour on one side, with free shipping. The more custom t-shirts ordered, the lower the price per shirt.

VistaPrint also offers custom t-shirts with no minimum order quantity for direct-to-garment or heat transfer printing options. However, for screen-printed t-shirts, the minimum order quantity is 6. They offer various printing options, including unlimited print colours and designs, textured and slightly raised prints, and embroidery.

Real Thread's custom t-shirt prices depend on the fabric type, size, quantity, imprint method, and brand. Standard cotton t-shirts typically start at $7-$10 per garment, while tri-blend tees average $9-$13. The price per shirt may increase for extended sizes (2XL-3XL) and well-known brands such as Nike or American Apparel. The cost of additional services, such as custom tag printing, hem tags, foil printing, folding, and polybagging, should also be considered.

Tucson Printed Shirts offers both full-colour digital shirt printing and high-resolution screen printing. They provide custom t-shirt printing prices for their most popular shirt, with sizes ranging from small to x-large.

Frequently asked questions