Whether you're trying to promote a business or make the perfect gift for your best friend, there's always a great reason to print your custom t-shirt. Sure, you can go online, order, and print your t-shirt for another company, but where's the fun in that? Once you know how to print designs on t-shirts, you can save yourself some money and create your custom t-shirts, hoodies, and more without waiting for another company to deliver the finished product. Are you ready to start? Read on to learn how to print designs on t-shirts, bulk hoodies, and more!
Choose a Design
A great custom garment starts with a great design. It can be an original piece of art, a sentence, a photo… Anything you can think of can be turned into a t-shirt design.
Consider color, imagery, and typography when choosing or creating a design. Designing a t-shirt is a thoughtful task, so don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. If you're wondering how important design is, check out a study on pop art design applied to a t-shirt.
Get Great Clothes
When it comes to customizing clothes, the fabric is important. Buying cheap t-shirts in bulk is an excellent way to get plenty of clothing to begin with, but be mindful of the fabric content. Whether you're buying bulk hoodies or T-shirts, those made from 100 percent cotton or cotton/polyester blends are often your best bet.
Pay attention to the color of the t-shirts you buy. While it is possible to print on T-shirts in any color, dark T-shirts work best on light-colored T-shirts, while light-colored T-shirts work best on dark T-shirts. Keep this in mind when shopping.
Decide on a Printing Method
There are several different ways to customize t-shirts. When it comes to printing a t-shirt or hoodie, factors such as differences in material costs, final look, and production time must all be considered. Here are a few of the most popular garment printing methods:
Screenshot
Screen printing can be done by hand or with the help of a machine. The process is reliable and cost-effective, especially when you need to add the same design to multiple garments. Once you know the basics, screen printing is simple and can be done easily at home. The downside is it can be expensive if you're creating different designs.
Vinyl Graphics
If you have access to a vinyl cutter, customizing t-shirts using vinyl graphics is an easy and cost-effective alternative to screen printing. With this method, you create your design digitally and then send it to your cutter. Once the design is cut, you apply it to the tee using heat. Vinyl comes in almost every color imaginable, and some products contain glitter or flock. If you're looking for versatility and the ability to create fun, textured designs, consider vinyl.
Inkjet Iron-On Transfer Paper
With inkjet iron-on transfer paper you can create custom t-shirts without any fancy equipment. All you need is a regular inkjet printer. This type of paper is available for both dark and light T-shirts and can be used to add photos, text, and graphics to garments. All you have to do is print your design on special paper, cut out the design, and apply it to the garment using a household iron.
Direct-to-Garment Printing
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is relatively new in the world of garment customization. It is very similar to printing on paper using an inkjet printer, instead of just spraying the ink onto the paper, a DTG printer sprays it onto the fabric. This method allows for designs with multiple colors and intricate details, but the equipment is expensive.
Solution
Now that you understand your design, garment, and printing method, you are ready to dive into the process of making your t-shirts. Take some time to research your chosen printing method and gather all the necessary supplies. Once you have everything you need, start printing!
Learning how to print designs on clothing allows you to customize t-shirts for businesses, teams, organizations, and more. You can create custom clothing to give as gifts or even start your own business. Once you find a method that works for you, you will have gained a valuable skill that you are sure to find many opportunities to use. While you're at it, be sure to also learn how to wash hoodies to ensure your creations will stand the test of time.