Everyone has at least one T-shirt in their closet, and the fact that it can be customised in several ways has made them even more popular. Whether you’re making custom t-shirts for your brand, an event, or for your staff, understanding the different T-shirt printing methods is very important.
Each method has its own benefits that you can maximise according to your needs. In this blog, we will discuss five popular methods of printing on T-shirts:
Direct-to-Garment Printing (DTG)
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is a newer method that puts ink on the cloth directly with an inkjet printer. This is a great way to make patterns with lots of colors and small details. Since DTG printing costs more per unit than screen printing, it works best for small orders or unique patterns.
DTG printing is the best option for your T-shirt if you have a design with lots of small details and a lot of colors, like a picture or an illustration.
Embroidery
The design is stitched directly onto the T-shirt in embroidery, which is a classic process. This method gives the fabric a textured, high-quality feel. For logos, monograms, and simple patterns that need a professional look and will last, embroidery is the best option.
Embroidery is a polished and long-lasting method for brands to make labeled polo shirts, custom bags, and caps with a professional look.
Direct-to-Film Printing (DTF)
Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is a flexible method where images are put on a special film that is then heated and transferred to the T-shirt. This method works well on a variety of fabrics and makes pictures that last a long time.
This print method is best for light and dark fabrics, multicolor designs, and high-resolution, vibrant prints.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is one of the oldest and most well-known methods of printing on T-shirts. For this method, you need to make a pattern (or screen) and use it to put layers of ink on the T-shirt. Screen printing is best for big orders because it saves money on costs, especially for bulk orders. Because the results are bright and last a long time, it's perfect for promotional items, team uniforms, and custom store products.
Screen printing is best for bulk orders of t-shirts and designs with solid colors and fewer details with high durability and vibrant colors.
Sublimation or All-Over Printing (AOP)
All-Over Printing (AOP), which is another name for sublimation, uses heat to move dye onto the cloth. This method lets you print full-color images all the way to the edges, which makes it perfect for making unique T-shirts that stand out. Polyester fabrics and light-colored clothes work best with sublimation.
Sublimation printing is best for full-colour designs and is the best method to make sure that T-shirts with all-over designs or gradients have a smooth, bright look that covers the whole garment.
When it comes to the question of what type of printing method is the best option for your promotional T-shirts, it will really depend on your designs, goals, and needs for your brand. Always remember that each print method has its own strengths and is best known for specific reasons.
If you want to know more about these five printing methods, feel free to contact us, as we at Over the Top Promotions would love to share our ideas with you! 😍