Top 7 Printing Methods For Your Customized T-Shirt Online Business

Are you interested in the best printing methods that you could use to start your customized t-shirt online business? If you’re reading this article now, that should be the case.

There are plenty of ways to print and customize a t-shirt online to come up with a great and creative product. You only need to choose the one that best suits your preference in terms of labor, costs, and working time. Aside from that, you should also consider the fabric that you’ll be using and the amount of products that you need to make at a certain duration.

If you’re still wondering which one of them is best for you, we’ll talk about the seven printing methods along with their pros and cons in this article.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Printing Method

1. Compatibility With Different Fabrics

You cannot use all printing methods for all fabrics for your customized t-shirt online business . For example, sublimation is the last thing on your choice if you are planning to use a thick cotton shirt as your blank.  Instead, sublimation is an ideal choice for polyester, nylon, and other thin synthetic fabrics.

You should also avoid cotton shirts for the heat press method since it can’t be used in direct application on the fabric.

2. Speed Of Production

You should also consider the amount of t-shirts that you need to print for your project. If you have bulk orders that you need to finish right away, you don’t want to use a slow method. If you don’t have any idea which method is the best for mass production, don’t worry! We’ll let you know in this article!

3. Cost

The cost of printing can be very different depending on the method used for your customized t-shirt online business . It is important to take into account equipment and supplies when estimating costs. However, you may also need to consider a lot of other details such as the type of ink used and the number of colors you’re printing.

4. Durability

The durability will largely depend on the method you use. Some methods are better than others in terms of how long the prints would last against wear and tear from normal usage. You may also need to consider other factors such as washing and drying that may affect how long the printed t-shirt can last.

5. Customization Options

The type of print you want to apply will largely determine your choice in printing method. For instance, if you’re using satin or foil printing, sublimation would be a great option for you. Meanwhile, if you want your art to pop, we recommend using the DTG printing method.

6. Customization Complexity

The printing method that you use will also depend on the level of customization you want to have in your custom t-shirts . The more complicated the design is, the higher risk for having a failed print will arise. You can check it out here or visit our Custom T Shirt page for detail information

Best Printing Methods For Customized T-Shirt Online Business

1. Dye Sublimation

Dye sublimation printing is by far the best printing method for customizing t-shirts because it offers brilliant colors and better quality prints. The process involves transferring dye from water solution to the fabric, and there will be no color fading, peeling or cracking when washed several times. This is also highly suitable for dark colored t-shirts.

Aside from that, sublimation is also a good option in terms of customization as well. You can print any image, design or text you want and the images won’t fade even after several washes. This printing method also allows for unlimited creativity since it doesn’t have any limitations when it comes to designs or how many colors you’re using.

PROS

• Good for printing large designs
• Enables printing for unlimited colors and patterns
• Has high durability and normally lasts as long as the fabric itself

CONS

• Works only on light fabrics such as polyester and nylon
• Customizing t-shirts in small volume will drive up cost because it involves high minimum order requirement
• It doesn’t fully cover all parts of t-shirt such as arm pits or side seams

2. Heat Press Method

This is the most widely used method because it’s fast and easy to apply on t-shirts using a heat press machine or even home iron. Customized heat transfer printed t-shirts are ideal for individual orders since they offer brilliant colors just like what you see on your computer screen. It can create high quality and durable prints that are enough to last several wash cycles.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective method of personalizing customized t-shirts, this is the best printing method for you. It only requires a working printer and heat press machine or iron. Customized heat transfer printed t-shirts offer brilliant colors  but there are limitations on the number of colors you can print.

PROS

• Inexpensive and good for small quantities.
• Easy to use
• Good for home production and small business startups
• High-quality reproductions

CONS

• Not feasible for use on darker t-shirts
• Can’t be used on heat-sensitive shirts
• Takes more time to print
• May fade and crack from multiple cycles of washing

3. Screen Printing

What makes this method stand out is that it can involve multiple colors in the print. Custom t-shirt screen prints are best known for their vibrant colors and detailed designs. However, this may not be a good choice if you’re looking to create very complicated designs because of its limited color variations .

PROS

• Reputable brands ensure high quality.
• Highly durable
• Ideal for large quantities
• Fast results for single design

CONS

• Too complicated for small quantities
• Only good for simple designs
• Not good for manual usage
• Can be more costly

4. Direct To Garment Printing

This method is a very good choice for customized t-shirts especially if you have your own design. Custom DTG printing involves applying ink directly to fabric and it can print very fine details that are normally difficult to achieve using screen printing technique . However, this may not be the best option if you’re looking for more durability of your custom t-shirts because it has the shortest lifespan among all others.

DTG printing dramatically changes the process of custom t-shirt design. The biggest difference is that, instead of printing on paper and then to fabric, you are using a computer system to directly print images onto your clothing.

PROS

• Simple to use (but requires some expertise)
• Ideal for complex designs
• Soft finish
• Easy customization

CONS

• The initial investment is higher
• Can take more time to produce in big quantities.
• Less durable print

5. Vinyl Cutting

This is the best choice if you want to have a customized t-shirt design with unique elements such as gradients, shadows and other effects. Custom vinyl cutting designs are also water resistant so you can put it on swimwear or active wear products without worrying about fading away.

Moreover,  it can be used for large quantities and it’s also a good choice if you’re looking for budget-friendly printing. Custom vinyl cut t-shirts are perfect for logos of brands, events and designs that need sharp details and vibrant colors.

PROS

• Works well with both small and large quantities
• Available for wide array of available colors and designs
• Highly durable prints
• No cracking of the design despite numerous laundry cycles

CONS

• Requires special CAD cutter which may be costly
• Not suitable for large designs
• Reduces the flexibility of the shirt

6. Hand and Spray Printing

This is a good choice if you want to print limited edition products. Custom printed t-shirts by hand and spray are best for small batch orders or if you just want to try the printing method on your custom t-shirts . Custom ink formulas also need to be made in order to accommodate the fabric properly.

PROS

• Unlimited design options
• Suitable for making your shirt manually
• Inexpensive

CONS

• Not suitable for large quantities
• Lower design quality
• Less durable results

7. Plastisol Transfer

Custom t-shirts plastisol transfers are best for printing on dark fabric. Customized transfer designs can provide very vibrant colors but also may need more color variations to print the design. Plastisol transfers are also very durable and can last several washes without fading away.

PROS

• Heavy-duty design
• Highly durable print
• Ideal for dark fabric prints.

CONS

• Requires more time to produce in big quantities
• Can be expensive compared to other printing methods.
• Not advisable for small batch orders.

Start your customized t-shirt online business now!

Customizing your own t-shirts with the use of printing methods is a great way to promote your business. Customized shirts can be more effective than promotional items because you’re able to put it on any type of clothing product. However, if you want to achieve the best results, you should know which type of printing methods you should use first.

If you’re still unsure which printing methods you should use for your customized t-shirt online business, we can help! Dad’s Printing offers different printing services that guarantee the best quality and durability in the market. For more information, make sure to contact us here!