T-Shirt Printing: Best Places For Custom Designs

T-shirt printing is a fun and creative way to express yourself, promote your brand, or create gifts for your friends and family. There are several methods for printing T-shirts, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, screen printing is a popular choice for large orders and produces vibrant, durable designs, but it can be messy and has limited colour options. Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is ideal for small batches and complex designs but is only suitable for cotton shirts. Heat transfer printing, which includes dye sublimation and direct-to-film printing, offers flexibility in design and fabric type but may be more expensive and complex. Additionally, printing T-shirts at home is an option with the right equipment and knowledge. Whether you're printing T-shirts for personal use or starting a business, understanding the different printing methods will help you choose the best approach for your needs.

Printing at home with heat transfer paper

Step 1: Choose the Right Heat Transfer Paper

First, you need to select the appropriate heat transfer paper for your project. There are two main types of heat transfer paper: inkjet transfer paper and laser transfer paper. Inkjet transfer paper is designed for inkjet printers and is coated with a layer of ink-absorbing emulsion. Laser transfer paper, on the other hand, is designed for laser printers, which use toner instead of liquid ink. Make sure to choose the type of paper that is compatible with your printer.

Additionally, consider the colour of the fabric you will be printing on. White and light-coloured fabrics require different transfer paper than black and dark-coloured fabrics. Light transfer paper has a clear transfer layer that carries the design to the garment, while dark transfer paper has a white backing or coating underneath the print to ensure accurate and vivid colours.

Step 2: Prepare Your Design

Once you have selected the right heat transfer paper, it's time to prepare your design. You can use any image saved on your computer, or you can scan a physical image or take a photograph and transfer it to your computer. If you plan to sell the shirts, only use your original designs or photos. Keep in mind that you may need to mirror or reverse your image, especially if you are using transfer paper for light-coloured shirts. This step ensures that the text in your design will be readable.

Step 3: Print Your Design

Now, you can print your design onto the heat transfer paper. Before printing, check the preview to confirm that the image fits onto the paper. If it's too large, adjust the size or scale it down using an image editing program. Make sure to print on the blank side of the paper, as one side may have a logo or design. If your image is wider than it is tall, switch to "landscape mode" for the best results.

Step 4: Cut Out Your Design

After printing, cut out your design. Any excess paper left around the image may show up as a thin film on the shirt, so use a ruler and a sharp knife to cut out the image accurately. This step will help create a clean and precise image on your T-shirt.

Step 5: Prepare Your Work Area

To apply the transfer, you will need a hard, flat surface that can withstand heat. Cover the surface with a cotton pillowcase or a cutting board. Avoid using an ironing board, as the metal bars or grating may interfere with the transfer process. Make sure your work area is clear, clean, and dry.

Step 6: Prepare Your T-Shirt

Place your T-shirt on the prepared surface and use a clothing iron to iron it until it is completely flat. Any wrinkles on the shirt will show up in the transferred image. Wash and dry the T-shirt beforehand if necessary.

Step 7: Apply the Heat Transfer

Position the cut-out design on the T-shirt, following the instructions for your specific type of transfer paper. For light-coloured shirts, place the image face down, while for dark-coloured shirts, place the image face up. Line up the centre of the image with the centre of the T-shirt neckline.

Now, it's time to apply heat and pressure. Use a heat press, Cricut EasyPress, or a conventional hand iron to transfer the design onto the shirt. Follow the instructions that came with your transfer paper for the recommended temperature, pressure, and timing settings. Apply firm pressure with your whole hand while moving the iron over the clothing. This step ensures that the design adheres properly to the fabric.

Step 8: Remove the Paper and Admire Your Work!

After applying heat, let the paper cool down to room temperature. Then, carefully peel away the paper to reveal your custom design! You have now successfully created your own printed T-shirt using heat transfer paper at home.

Printing at home with heat transfer vinyl

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need a T-shirt, heat transfer vinyl, a printer, an iron or heat press, a hard and flat surface, and a cotton pillowcase. If you are using an inkjet printer, make sure to get inkjet transfer paper. For a laser printer, you will need laser transfer paper.

Step 2: Prepare Your Design

Create or select a design that you want to print on your T-shirt. If you are using a light-coloured shirt, you may need to mirror or reverse the image. Don't forget to check that your printer can handle the size of paper you are using.

Step 3: Print Your Design

Print your design onto the transfer paper, making sure to follow the instructions for your specific transfer paper. If your transfer paper has two different sides, print onto the blank side.

Step 4: Cut Out Your Design

Use a ruler and an Exacto knife to cut out your design. This will ensure a clean image on your T-shirt.

Step 5: Prepare Your Work Area

Cover a hard, flat surface with a cotton pillowcase. This will protect your work area and provide a suitable surface for heat transfer.

Step 6: Prepare Your T-shirt

Place your T-shirt on the pillowcase and use your iron to remove any wrinkles. Make sure that your iron is set to the correct temperature and that any steam functions are turned off.

Step 7: Apply the Heat Transfer Vinyl

Place your design on the T-shirt, with the image facing down for light-coloured shirts and facing up for dark shirts. Follow the instructions for your specific transfer paper, and use your iron or heat press to apply firm and constant pressure to the transfer paper.

Step 8: Remove the Transfer Paper

Allow the transfer to cool down to room temperature, then gently peel off the transfer paper to reveal your design.

And that's it! You now have a custom-printed T-shirt. This method is perfect for small projects or one-off designs, and with practice, you'll be able to create professional-looking T-shirts at home.

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing

To prepare for DTG printing, the garment is pre-treated with a solution to help the ink bond to the fabric. This can be done manually with a sprayer or using a pre-treatment machine. After the pre-treatment dries, the fabric is placed in the DTG printer, which uses water-based inks to print the desired design.

DTG printing offers several advantages, including:

• High-detail image quality with unlimited colours.
• No minimum order quantity.
• Environmentally friendly due to the use of water-based inks and energy efficiency.
• Versatility in fabric options, including natural fabrics like cotton and some synthetic blends.

However, there are also some disadvantages to consider:

• DTG printing doesn't work on every textile. It is recommended to use fabrics with at least 50% cotton for better absorption and print quality.
• Limited application surfaces. DTG printing is typically done on specific areas of the garment, and additional print areas require manual setup.
• Not optimal for bulk orders due to slower printing speed compared to other methods.

Overall, DTG printing is a great choice for those seeking high-quality, small-batch, and detailed designs. It offers precision, customisation, and quick turnaround times, making it a popular choice for print-on-demand businesses.

Dye sublimation or all-over printing (AOP)

Dye sublimation is a printing method that uses heat to infuse ink directly into the fibres of a t-shirt. This process results in vibrant, full-colour graphics that are fade- and scratch-resistant. The dye-sublimation technique can be used to print all over a t-shirt, including the seams. This method requires a high-resolution image, and the t-shirt must be white and made from 100% polyester.

All-over printing (AOP) is another method for printing across the entire surface of a t-shirt. AOP typically uses water-based ink, which is lighter than plastisol. However, more than two colours can make the shirt feel heavy. AOP is best for designs that don't need to meet up on the front and back of the shirt, as it can be challenging to get the design to line up perfectly.

AOP can also be achieved through dye sublimation, allowing for a full-colour image to be printed all over the shirt.

Both dye sublimation and AOP require specialised equipment and are best performed by professional printers.

Direct-to-film (DTF) printing

The process starts by printing your image or design onto a transfer film, not to be confused with inkjet film. The film is then covered with an adhesive powder, which acts as an adhesive between the inks and the cotton fibres. Finally, the design is transferred to the T-shirt using a heat press.

DTF printing offers several advantages, including the ability to create sharp and detailed prints with high resolution and sharp edges. It is also a fast and cost-effective method, making it ideal for small print runs or custom designs. Additionally, DTF printing can be used on T-shirts of any colour, as it can work with white ink.

However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. DTF transfers may not last as long as screen-printed garments and can fade more quickly. The feel of the shirt may also be rougher, as the ink sits on top of the T-shirt instead of soaking into the fabric. DTF printing is also not suitable for large production runs, as it can be time-consuming and require a lot of materials.

The cost of DTF printing equipment can vary depending on the size and capabilities you are looking for, ranging from $2,200 to $30,000. Additionally, you will need to purchase ink, adhesive powder, and a heat press or oven to cure the ink. Overall, DTF printing is a great option for those looking to include T-shirt personalisation or other textile products into their business.

Frequently asked questions