3 BEST TYPES OF T-SHIRT PRINTING METHODS COMPARED [PROS & CONS]

Designing and printing your own t-shirts is more than just a hobby, it's the next big thing! You can make anything you want with various apparel printers. If there’s one design that especially catches our eye then we'll recommend checking out how they work so as not to get disappointed when other companies don't meet expectations or even worse - turn out poorly due poor craftsmanship (which has happened).

Do you want to be the only person wearing a specific design? Perhaps there is an outfit in your closet that’s just not quite matching anymore, but can't find anywhere else.

It might seem daunting at first; however with some research and planning it will get easier every day! There are many types of printing methods available for t-shirts today - each providing its own advantages depending on what style or idea behind them (elegant vintage feel vs bold logo). Take time before diving into this process so as not spend more money than necessary when getting started if something isn't right initially because mistakes happen.

CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING

In this day and age, printing options have increased dramatically. You can now choose a method that will meet your needs best for an end product you'll be happy with!

Here are some of the factors you should take into account.

1. COMPATIBILITY WITH DIFFERENT FABRICS

There is a method for every fabric. If you have thick cotton, do not use dye sublimation as it will ruin your shirt. We offer many different types of prints here at Machine Screenprinters so that there's something perfect depending upon what type clothing piece its being applied too.

Each method has a preferred type of fabric and it is good to check them in advance.

2. SPEED OF PRODUCTION

It is important that the product can be produced as quickly and efficiently as possible. Speed of production will determine how many units can fit into inventory, which means it's essential for speed-to keep up with demand!

Mass production is usually better for large orders. If you need thousands of shirts printed as soon as possible, don’t choose a slow method - make sure to check the details!

3. COST

The cost of printing can vary greatly. There are more economic options for those with a tight budget. Also, if you want to start using some of the methods , you should factor in the price of additional equipment and supplies. Once you have your costs outlined use our profit margin calculator to figure out your revenue.

1. SCREEN PRINTING

If you’ve had a printed shirt for years and it still looks amazing, it was probably made with screen printing. This method, known also as silkscreen printing, guarantees very good design replication. Many professionals rely on this method as it gives good results.

Did you know? Screen printing is the preferred print method used in the commercial apparel industry today. From uniforms, to fashion brands, streetwear and alike. It's ideal for larger orders of t-shirts or fleece, prints requiring vibrant or specialty inks and the best for colour matching specific Pantone values.

At Machine Screen printers our screen printing is produced using both manual and automatic printing presses. This allows us to provide speed and efficiency but also manage attention to detail. The cost per garment value of screen printing makes it one of the the most cost effective apparel decoration techniques for t-shirts, custom hoodies or custom tote bags.

Check out our full breakdown of How to Print T-Shirts via Screen Printing via our post on vocal.

PROS

Guarantees high quality

Very durable

Great for large quantities

Fast results if a single design is used

CONS

Too complicated for small quantities

Not the best for complex designs

Not good for manual usage

Can be more costly

2. DIRECT TO GARMENT (DTG) TECHNIQUE

Digital printing is perfect for smaller quantities, high detail and quick turnaround times.

DTG (direct to garment) digital printing is an excellent choice for custom, one-off printing or small runs as there are NO setup costs and NO minimum quantities. Printing one t-shirt has never been so affordable!

A DTG print on white or light garment feels smooth and soft, in fact you can’t feel it at all. The ink pigments bond deeply in to the fabric instead of sitting on top. On dark garments however, the print is slightly raised due to the white under base and therefore feels more like a screen print. A DTG print is NOT as durable as a screen print and needs more care when washing.

We offer the best services for DTG printing in Melbourne, with a comprehensive product range and very affordable prices. With our DTG printing services, you can print anything from standard flat designs to sophisticated 3D and multicolour art without any extra cost.

PROS

Simple to use (although it requires some skill)

Good for complex designs

Soft finish

Easy to switch designs

CONS

Higher initial investment

Takes more time to produce in big quantities

Less durable designs

3. DIGITAL TRANSFER PRINTING ( ALSO KNOWN AS HEAT PRESS PRINTING )

Heat press printing works similarly as dye sublimation, with minor differences. It is suitable for smaller quantities of t-shirts. If you want to experiment with your own designs, this is a rather easy way to do it.

One of its main benefits is that you can replicate very complex designs. The final result after using this method is a nice, soft shirt with a vivid and durable design. It gives you the option to use the full spectrum of colors for the desired outcome.

At Machine Screen Printers, we use a hybrid of screen printing and digital transfer technology developed in New Zealand, digital transfers have come of age, producing a print that can be applied to a wide range of fabrics whilst delivering far superior results than what has been available before.

Our product provides commercial grade colour matching and ensuring colour vibrancy and durability. The level of detail is like never before and allows small print runs to be possible without the high cost of multiple screen set ups.

Digital transfers are a good fit for most garments including polyesters. Our wearable transfers are made with a proprietary water-based ink formula which provides great wash ability and breath ability. We have developed techniques to heat press even the most delicate fabrics without leaving distinct pressure marks.

PROS

An economical method for small quantities

Fairly simple to use

Good for home production or starting a t-shirt business

High-quality reproductions

CONS

Doesn’t work as well on darker materials but with Machine's hybrid technology you're in great hands!

Can’t be used on shirts that are sensitive to high heat

Takes longer to print

SUMMARY

Modern technology has brought us a variety of t-shirt printing options. Most of the methods ensure very high quality reproduction of the design. You can also let loose your creativity and use different colours and patterns to get what you want.

Make sure to check whether the colour and the fabric of your t-shirt are compatible with a certain printing method. These might be the most important factors that greatly affect the outcome.

If you have some questions in general, feel free to contact our friendly and experienced printing staff today!