T-shirt printing

It is a technology that allows you to print graphics or texts on T-shirts and other clothing. Printed clothing such as hats has become more widespread in recent years, as they suit different tastes and ages, in addition to the possibility of using them in public or private events alike, such as parties, conferences, festivals and exhibitions.

Clothing printing technology depends on printing many types of fabrics and different designs such as: dresses, T-shirts or even work clothes that bear specific logos in multiple colors and many drawings.

Clothing printing is considered one of the old industries that has developed over time with the emergence of many modern technologies that facilitate the work of printing manufacturers.

Also, to get an excellent, high-quality printing result in clothing printing, you must rely on some tools and equipment, along with the need for focus and mastery to complete this project in the best possible way.

What is the importance of printing t-shirts?

The great importance of T-shirt printing stems from the fact that it is suitable for both personal and commercial use and has many benefits for both options.

1 You can design unique and special T-shirts easier and faster compared to traditional clothing printing methods.

2 It gives individuals, organizations or companies the opportunity to advertise themselves and make their mark in a sophisticated and wonderful way.

3- The possibility of using printed T-shirts in both public and private events and occasions, in addition to marketing, media and commercial campaigns.

T-shirt printing techniques

There are five basic techniques for printing T-shirts, and we will mention all the information related to each technique separately.

Each garment printing technology has its own advantages that distinguish it from the other, but there are some factors that must be taken into consideration when choosing the appropriate technology for the application, such as the desired quality, the required quantity of products, the cost of production, and even the type of fabric material.

The five techniques

1 silk screen printing

2 embroidery

3 dye printing

4 Heat transfer

5 Direct to Garment Printing

1 silk screen printing

Screen printing has a simple mechanism of operation where a soft screen covered with an ink layer is used to print the desired pattern or design on the fabric.

Due to the smoothness and ease of operation of this technology, it has become the most common in printing T-shirts and other clothes. Its mechanism of operation goes through the following steps:

1 A drawn pattern is created on a transparent sheet and this is the pattern to be printed.

2 The model is placed on the screen and covered with a tack layer.

3 The screen is fully exposed to light.

4 This causes the mesh areas on the screen to harden, preventing ink from passing through those areas.

5 The fabric to be printed is placed directly under the screen, and ink is passed over the screen using a blade or ruler to remove ink above the meshed areas.

6 Then the remaining ink on the open area of the screen is passed onto the fabric.

7 Then heat is applied to the printed fabric to strengthen the ink and make it stick well.

Benefits of Screen Printing

1 This technology enables the image to be printed in multiple colors and with excellent quality.

2 Allows you to create multiple designs.

3 Screen printing is most popular when printing large quantities of products.

Screen printing restrictions

1 It takes a long time to set up printing and create screens.

2 Only use in large quantities of products.

Embroidery

One of the oldest techniques used for printing T-shirts, all designs were created using only a needle and thread, but imagine the effort and time that such a technique takes.

But over time, this technology has developed and has come to rely on machines specifically designed to implement the automatic sewing process, and the design is entered into the machine via a computer.

Benefits of embroidery

1 The T-shirts give excellent quality and high durability that can withstand repeated washing.

2 Provides the ability to create different types of designs and in multiple colors.

3. Gives the T-shirts high quality and durability.

4 T-shirts give a great and unique look not to mention the amazing and wonderful texture.

Embroidery restrictions

1 This technique takes a long time and more effort to create designs.

2 Can only be applied to special textile materials.

dye printing

This technique is done by printing the image on special paper using dye inks, and then the image is transferred to the fabric using heat and pressure, which gives T-shirts of excellent quality.

Benefits of dye printing

1 It leaves a colorful and unique effect as it provides the creation of unique and distinctive designs with more vibrant and active colors.

2 The designs give high quality and durability which makes the design more resistant to fading and scratching.

dye sublimation printing restrictions

1 Compared to some other printing methods it is considered expensive.

2 Its use is limited to special textile materials.

3 It takes a fair amount of time to prepare and dry.

Heat transfer

One of the latest printing methods, where the image is printed on special paper and then the image is transferred to the fabric using heat and pressure.

Benefits of heat transfer printing

1 Allows printing of high quality, multi-color photos at a low cost.

2 Provides the ability to create custom and unique designs.

Heat transfer limitations

The print quality may be affected by heat and humidity and may distort the print. Limitations in applying heat to the fabric may sometimes result in loss of part of the design such as the image or text.

Direct to garment printing

Direct to garment printing is one of the latest technologies in T-shirt printing, where a special printer is used that allows images, designs or graphics to be printed directly onto the fabric without the need to create printing screens.

First, the fabric to be printed is placed directly on the DTG printer, then the ink is applied directly to the fabric in a way similar to printing photos at home on paper.

Benefits of DTG Printing

1 Create unique, custom t-shirt designs in less time than screen printing.

2 It is easy to use and has a quick and smooth application.

3 T-shirts offer designs with fine details, excellent quality and multiple colors.

DTG Direct Printing Restrictions

1 This technique takes time to print so productivity is often limited at times.

2 The cost of printers is expensive compared to some other t-shirt printing technologies.

3 It is used exclusively within a specially treated fabric to achieve print quality.

Types of T-shirt fabrics

There are many types of fabrics that are used in designing T-shirts. Below is some information about each type that will help you choose the most suitable option for you.

Silk

One of the most luxurious types of fabrics, it is famous for several advantages, such as being the softest and most fragrant type of fabric, and it is also famous for its luxurious shine and luster. Silk is also known for its ability to absorb moisture and provide good ventilation, but at the same time, silk requires great care and special washing and needs gentle ironing.

Cotton

Cotton is one of the most commonly used materials in making T-shirts, as it is characterised by comfort, softness and good ventilation. It is also suitable for use in the summer as it allows sweat to be absorbed.

Perhaps its worst drawback is that it shrinks in size after the first wash.

polyester

Polyester has high durability and good stability, and can withstand high temperatures and little care in washing.

Its most prominent disadvantage is that wearing it for a long time may lead to skin redness and itching, as it does not have much ventilation and comfort.

Rayon

This type of fabric has several features, the most prominent of which is good ventilation and sweat absorption, so it is good for use in the summer. It is also characterized by flexibility, softness and comfort.

Among its main drawbacks are that the fabric wrinkles easily and is not durable.

Lycra

Lycra is highly elastic and stable, allowing the T-shirt to move freely with the body. It is also comfortable and soft.

Its most prominent disadvantage is that it is easily damaged and cannot withstand high temperatures.

Preparing T-shirts Properly Before Printing

Preparing T-shirts for printing is an important matter that will greatly affect the quality of T-shirts and the final printing results, so we have collected for you the most important tips for preparing T-shirts for printing correctly.

1 Wash and dry the T-shirt before printing.

Washing your T-shirt before printing is one of the most important steps you should take care of to get high quality printing results.

The T-shirt must be washed well before printing to avoid any dirt or stains that may negatively affect the printing results.

Make sure to dry the T-shirt well after washing.

2 Properly store and handle your T-shirt.

Storing your T-shirts properly is one of the most important things you should take care of to get high-quality printing results and to maintain the quality of your T-shirt.

The T-shirt should be stored in a cool, dry place and protected from moisture and direct sunlight.

Tips for better preservation of printed t-shirts

To maintain the quality of the printing and the life of the t-shirts, the printed t-shirts must be well cared for and continuously, to keep the printed t-shirts in the best possible condition.

Follow washing instructions carefully.

Avoid using hot water when washing and follow the washing instructions mentioned on the T-shirt.

Use appropriate detergents

You should use detergents that are appropriate for the type of fabric used in the T-shirt specifically.

Gentle periodic washing

T-shirts should be washed regularly and regularly to keep them clean.

Dry well printed t-shirts

Printed T-shirts should be dried well and avoided being exposed to direct sunlight.

Here are the most important instructions to follow when washing and drying printed T-shirts.

Avoid using hot water and strong bleaches when washing your T-shirt.

Printed T-shirts should not be dried using a dryer, it is recommended to dry them naturally.

Do not use an iron on printed prints as it may damage or distort the print.

Printed T-shirts should be stored in a dark, dry place to avoid exposure to strong light or moisture.

To avoid wrinkles, the permissible storage density must not be exceeded.

It is preferable to store printed T-shirts hanging rather than folded to avoid damage to the print and fabric.

Why is good design important?

Good design is of great importance in the process of successful t-shirt printing and here are some of the main reasons why successful design is important:

Affects print quality

Good design greatly affects the quality of printing, as poor design results in inconsistent or unclear printing.

Good design expresses identity.

Successful design is used to express the brand, personal identity, organization or even team.

Helps spread and deliver a message

Well designed printed t-shirts can be used to support a cause or spread a certain idea.

Attracts attention:

To get people's attention and engage with and wear your printed t-shirts, the design must be good, successful, attractive and eye-catching.

Good design calls for excellence.

A good design gives your t-shirts a unique touch that can set them apart from other t-shirts.

Mistakes to avoid in design

There are some common mistakes that should be avoided when designing in order to achieve the desired results and to ensure the quality of the final design as well. Here are the most prominent of them:

Crowded design

Avoid designing images that are full of excessive details that may negatively affect the clarity of the image.

Failure to follow design rules correctly

The main design rules must be strictly respected, such as using the correct dimensions, defining the center of the image, and respecting spaces.

Not using appropriate fonts

Avoid using small, unclear fonts, and use fonts that are appropriate for the type of printer used.

Not using color rules well

The rules of color theory must be respected, avoiding the random and unorganized use of colors.

Not choosing the right formula

You should avoid using inappropriate formats that may negatively affect the quality of the final design, and you should consider choosing the appropriate format for the type of printing used.

Not defining the main purpose of the design

The main goal of the design must be determined as a preliminary step before starting to work on it, taking care to avoid designing designs that do not help achieve the specified goal.

Relying on low quality images

You should avoid using low-quality images, as this will negatively affect the quality of the final design.

Finally, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the t-shirt printing process.

How long does it take to print one t-shirt?

Determining the price depends on several things that must be taken into consideration, such as the type of technology used in printing, the size of the order, the design, the number of colors used, and the quality of the T-shirt.

How many colors can be used in a t-shirt design?

You can use an unlimited number of colors in your t-shirt design.

Can I print on both sides of the t-shirts?

Yes, it can be printed on both sides of the t-shirts.

What is the appropriate file format for designing t-shirts?

The file must be prepared in formats such as PDF, PNG, AI, EPS or PSD to ensure the highest quality for printing.

How do I know if a t-shirt is suitable for printing?

It's all about the quality of the t-shirt, and printing service providers can provide you with the information you need about which t-shirts are suitable for printing.