T-shirts can be printed in many ways. Each method has its pros and cons. Let’s look at some of these benefits and disadvantages. This will help you determine the suitable technique for T-shirt printing. In general, printing techniques will be based on your needs, budget, and the kind of image you wants to create.
Heat transfer printing
The preferred artwork gets printed on wax paper with special ink. The design is then transferred to the fabric using a heat press. The heat will make the ink stick to the fabric and the wax paper gets peeled away. The process is easy and takes not more than five minutes to print one custom T-shirt.
Benefits
- Customers with small-scale T-shirt printing needs to get their orders completed faster.
- Allows different placements.
- Multi-colored images and complex photo prints can be transferred without the mess
- Graphics can be altered in multiple ways using the software.
Disadvantages
- Large-quantity transfers are time-consuming and expensive.
- After several washes prints fade.
- Prints are stiff, so the fabric turns firm.
- The best option for light-colored T-shirts only.
- Ironing can damage the image.
Digital printing
It is also called direct-to-garment printing. The T-shirt is stretched across a frame below the head of the inkjet printer. Inkjet transfer paper prints the same design as many garments with ease.
Benefits
- Great for small-scale orders.
- One item gets printed, at a time.
- Printing a detailed photo is accurate in design and color.
- Designs lay flat and cannot be felt like screen printing.
- The printing process is clean.
- Easily customizable.
Disadvantages
- Longer printing process.
- Ink is very expensive.
- Exact color matching is hard because of CMYK printer inks.
- You cannot save on large orders.
- Print on a single fabric.
- Limited print area because of the printer setup.
Screen printing
Screen printing is a little old-school technique in comparison to the latest digital printing method. However, it is still superior in many ways, so never overlook it as a correct method. The concept of screen printing is simple. Each design includes a fixed number of basic colors. Colors are separated based on design and different proportions of the colors are printed on the fabric using a screen or mesh. For cheap custom t-shirts, this method can be a great alternative.
Benefits
- High-quality printing
- Inexpensive as mess screens last for multiple print sessions.
- Looks professional
- Larger prints can be done with ease.
- Screen printing is durable and can handle multiple wash cycles.
- Easy to print on T-shirts with specific parts.
- Great alternative for bulk orders.
Disadvantages
- Minimum quantity orders are needed.
- Set up is complex and costly.
- Can have a thick finish.
- High-resolution and complex photogenic details are not sharp.
- Color accuracy issues because they get separated and blending is limited.
Besides the printing technique, you will need to consider other elements like –
- Ink has to be specially made because the fabric is vulnerable to moisture and liquid.
- Printers need to be properly standardized.
- The design looks different on the fabric than it appears on the monitor.
- Good quality dye-based inks for creating rich color.
A great T-shirt can be defined as comfortable, good-looking, soft, fits great, and timeless. The graphics need to be durable and feel soft on touching. In the end, the technique to choose will depend on your needs and budget.
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