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

Custom t-shirts are a fun way to express yourself, and there are many companies that can help you design and print your own t-shirts. Whether you're looking to create a unique gift, promote your business, or just want to stand out from the crowd, custom t-shirt printing is a great option. You can choose from a variety of printing methods, including screen printing, direct-to-garment (DTG), and heat transfer printing, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. With so many online platforms offering custom t-shirt printing services, it's easy to find one that suits your needs and budget.

Online t-shirt printing companies

There are many online t-shirt printing companies that offer custom t-shirt designs. These companies provide a range of services, from printing pre-designed t-shirts to allowing customers to create their own designs using online tools or uploading their own. Some companies also offer additional services such as embroidery and custom labels.

Custom Ink

Custom Ink is an online custom t-shirt printing company that offers a best-in-class online t-shirt design lab. They provide exclusive artwork and fonts, and expert help 7 days a week. Custom Ink offers screen printing, direct-to-garment digital printing, and custom embroidery, with over 50 quality t-shirt brands available, including Nike, Champion, and Fruit of the Loom. The company also provides group order forms to simplify the process of collecting sizes and payments for group orders.

Underground Printing

Underground Printing is another online custom t-shirt printing company that offers an easy-to-use design studio for customers to create their own t-shirt designs. They have experienced designers available to help with any custom apparel needs, from businesses to organisations and events. Underground Printing has over 30 store locations and offers free shipping on every order. They are licensed to print branded collegiate apparel for over 200 colleges and universities and handle all the necessary applications and fees.

Printful

Printful is an online platform that allows users to design and print t-shirts for themselves, their team, or their store, with no minimum order requirements. They offer a free Design Maker tool to create custom designs, and direct-to-garment and direct-to-film printing techniques to ensure vibrant and durable prints. Printful has integrations with popular e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify and Etsy, making it easy for users to sell their custom-printed t-shirts online.

VistaPrint

VistaPrint offers custom t-shirt printing with a variety of sleeve and neck styles to choose from. They provide printed, embroidered, and 100% cotton t-shirts, with a range of decoration techniques available. VistaPrint has a gallery of over 1,500 free templates to choose from, or users can upload their own artwork or logo. There is no minimum order quantity for direct-to-garment or heat transfer printing, while screen-printed t-shirts have a minimum order of 6.

Custom t-shirt printing

Step 1: Choose a Company

Several companies offer custom t-shirt printing services, such as Underground Printing, Custom Ink, VistaPrint, and Canva. These companies provide online platforms that allow you to design and order your custom t-shirts with ease.

Step 2: Select Your T-shirt Style

When choosing a t-shirt style, consider the purpose of the shirt. For example, promotional giveaways or events might call for printed t-shirts, while embroidered or 100% cotton t-shirts could be ideal for creating a consistent look for a team or company uniform. You can also choose from various sleeve and neck styles, such as short or long sleeves and crew or V-necks.

Step 3: Design Your T-shirt

Most custom t-shirt printing companies offer a range of design options. You can select from their gallery of templates or upload your own artwork, logo, or design. Some companies also offer exclusive artwork, fonts, and clipart to enhance your design. You can add text, graphics, or uploaded images to the front, back, or both sides of your t-shirt.

Step 4: Order Your T-shirts

After finalising your design, it's time to place your order. Specify the quantity, size, and style of t-shirts you require. Some companies offer discounts for larger orders, and there may be minimum order requirements for certain printing techniques. Be sure to review the pricing details and shipping options before finalising your purchase.

Step 5: Care for Your Custom T-shirts

Once you receive your custom t-shirts, it's important to care for them properly to maintain their quality and ensure the longevity of the print. Follow the fabric care instructions provided by the company. In general, it is recommended to wash custom-printed t-shirts in warm water with similar colours, avoid using bleach, and turn the shirts inside out before washing.

T-shirt printing methods

There are several T-shirt printing methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common methods:

Screen Printing

Screen printing is one of the most popular and widely used printing methods for T-shirts, especially when printing in bulk. It involves using screens to apply ink directly to the T-shirts through mesh screens. This method can produce very high-quality and long-lasting artwork. It is also cost-effective, especially when printing a large number of T-shirts with the same design. However, it can be expensive for designs with many colours, as each colour requires a separate screen. Screen printing is compatible with most fabrics and can produce vivid and bright colours.

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 great for designs with multiple colours and complex details, including digital photographs. It works on different materials and fabrics and creates minimal mess. However, it may not be as durable as other methods, and it is not suitable for dark-coloured T-shirts.

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing

DTG printing is an inkjet technology that prints high-quality, full-colour, photographic prints directly onto a T-shirt. It is suitable for complex designs with many colours and small orders (1-5 T-shirts). DTG printing machines are compact and inject ink directly into the fabric, making the print almost unnoticeable to the touch. However, DTG printers are expensive and designed primarily for printing on 100% cotton T-shirts or fabrics with high cotton content.

Dye-Sublimation Printing

Dye-sublimation printing is a variation of heat transfer printing that works by digitally printing graphics and then heating them to transfer the dye onto T-shirts. The dye turns into a gas when heated and becomes part of the material, resulting in a soft, breathable, and durable print. However, it only works with polyblend-based T-shirts and can be expensive.

CAD-Cut Heat Transfer Vinyl Printing

CAD-cut heat transfer vinyl printing is a method of heat-transferring designs, commonly used for printing numbers, names, and logos onto sports T-shirts or jerseys. It involves using a machine to cut out designs and letters on pieces of coloured vinyl, which are then heat-pressed onto the T-shirt. This method is ideal for small orders with 1-3 colours and can be applied to various fabrics. However, it can be time-consuming and is only suitable for simple graphics.

T-shirt printing costs

Number of Shirts:

The cost per shirt typically decreases when ordering in bulk. For example, an order of twenty shirts may cost around $18 per shirt, while an order of 100 shirts may bring the cost down to $9 per shirt. So, the more you buy, the more you save.

Printing Method:

There are two common printing methods: digital printing and screen printing. Digital printing is ideal for more intricate designs or smaller orders, but it can be more expensive due to its detailed nature. Screen printing, on the other hand, is better suited for large and simple designs and can be more cost-effective for larger orders.

Number of Colours:

The number of ink colours used in the design can also impact the cost. Custom Ink's pricing, for example, takes into account the number of ink colours used on each side of the T-shirt.

Brand:

Well-known brands like Nike will generally have a higher price point compared to less popular brands like Gildan or Tultex. A Nike T-shirt is unlikely to cost less than $20, while a Gildan T-shirt can often be found for under $10.

Additional Costs:

Other costs to consider include custom embroidery, tag printing, hem tags, foil printing, folding, and polybagging. These add-ons can range from $0.30 to $4 per shirt, depending on the service.

When designing your custom T-shirts, it's important to keep these factors in mind to get an accurate estimate of the total cost. Some companies, like Custom Ink, offer all-inclusive pricing, so you know the cost upfront based on the type of T-shirt, the number of colours, and the quantity ordered.

T-shirt printing equipment

Heat Press Machines:

Heat press machines are a popular choice for T-shirt printing. They use heat and pressure to transfer designs onto T-shirts. These machines come in various sizes, such as 12x15 inches or 15x15 inches, and offer different features like digital temperature control, automatic release, and swing-away designs. Some machines are portable and ideal for small projects, while others are industrial-grade for high-volume printing.

Screen Printing Equipment:

Screen printing is a traditional method that uses a mesh screen coated with a stencil to apply ink onto T-shirts. Lawson, a trusted provider of screen printing equipment, offers a range of presses, conveyor dryers, flash units, and spot dryers. They also provide pre-press equipment, exposure systems, and printing supplies. You can even customise your own screen printing and curing systems.

Cutters and Vinyl:

For more customised designs, you can invest in cutters and vinyl. Sign shop starter kits are available that include cutters, heat presses, and vinyl sheets, allowing you to create unique designs and transfer them onto T-shirts using a heat press machine.

Printers:

Printers play a crucial role in T-shirt printing, especially for digital or direct-to-garment (DTG) printing. Brands like Epson offer film positive printers that can be used to create designs for screen printing or DTG printing. Additionally, Brother offers a sublimation printer that can be used for T-shirt printing projects.

Accessories:

T-shirt printing often requires additional accessories and tools. For example, you might need rulers or alignment tools to ensure your designs are centred and placed correctly on the T-shirts. Other accessories include ink, bleach, cleaning supplies, and replacement parts for your equipment.

Remember to consider your budget, the volume of T-shirts you plan to print, and the level of customisation you require when choosing your T-shirt printing equipment.

Frequently asked questions