ALL ENQUIRIES: 0800 086 2840
ALL ENQUIRIES: 0800 086 2840
Personalised t-shirts remain highly popular, suitable for a wide range of events and occasions. These versatile garments are ideal for stag and hen parties, holidays with friends, and even as promotional items for businesses. The method used to print designs, images, or lettering onto t-shirts varies greatly. Read on to find out what are the different ways to print onto a t-shirt.
Many people assume that there’s only one way to print onto a t-shirt. In fact, there are several options available thanks to digital technology transforming the t-shirt printing industry in recent years. Each technique comes with various benefits, with some best suited to specific fabrics whereas others are more appropriate for larger orders. The method you choose will also depend on the number of colours in the design you want to print.
As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing a t-shirt printing method. At Banaman Clothing, we offer many types of t-shirt printing in Grimsby, Lincoln, and Scunthorpe, with all work carried out to the highest possible standards. We use modern, state of the art machine to ensure premium results. Keep reading to find out what are the different ways to print onto a t-shirt.
Screen printing is a very popular method of personalising t-shirts. Also known as silkscreen printing, it’s a good choice due to the fantastic quality finish it delivers. Screen printed t-shirts are famous for their known for longevity and colour vibrancy. Screen printing involves applying ink straight onto the t-shirt using a nylon mesh and stencil.
Although the process can be carried out by hand, machines are usually used and this is the best option for high-volume orders. We can produce many printed t-shirts relatively quickly with screen printing, with a gallon of ink allowing us to produce between 200-500 t-shirts. The screen printing process is super cost-efficient.
Direct to Garment (DTG) printing is another popular method for personalising t-shirts. A specialist textile printer applies ink directly onto the garments, with the fibres absorbing it quickly. To help the colour attach to the t-shirts, we also apply a fixing agent. DTG printing is usually better for designs featuring complex logos and a wide range of different colours. In fact, since there are no restrictions on the number of colours used, it’s easy to achieve the look you desire for your t-shirt.
Computer programs such as Adobe Photoshop can allow you to add even the smallest details and transfer them to the t-shirt with incredible accuracy. At Banaman Clothing, we have state of the art printers for DTG printing. This ensures that the finish achieved is of the highest quality. An important point to consider is that most DTG printers are best designed for printing on t-shirts with high amounts of cotton in them (100% cotton is best). Therefore, the more cotton a t-shirt has, the bolder and more vivid a design will be.
Textile transfers are a good choice for less complex designs since only a few colours can be used in the process. A relatively straightforward printing method, transfers are suitable for many different types of garments, including t-shirts. Transfers involve a sheet of vinyl being cut into the shape of a design, such as a logo, and then a heat press is used to heat seal it onto the garment. The process should not be confused with transfer prints that you might’ve seen at instant copy shops. A digitally printed transfer is ideal for producing, bold, vibrant full-colour designs. Transfers work best for low volume orders.
Dye-sublimation printing
If you have ever seen a t-shirt with a big design spread across it, it’s likely that the dye sublimation method was used to produce it. A popular variation of the heat transfer printing method, it works by digitally printing the designs and then using heat to transfer dye onto the t-shirts. Unlike other heat transfer print techniques, dye sublimation uses dye-based ink that turns from solid to gas and then back again.
Whilst dye sublimation usually costs more, the quality of the design is arguably better than other techniques. You can expect a bold and vibrant full-colour image that stands the test of time. Since the ink becomes a part of the fabric, you don’t need to worry about the design cracking, peeling, or otherwise deteriorating over time. Keep in mind that some fabrics aren’t suitable for this printing method. Garments should be light coloured and include polyester (either 100% polyester or a polyester blend). This is because the liquid dye dries up and solidifies when coming into contact with polyester.
At Banaman, we’ve been providing professional t-shirt printing for many years, establishing ourselves as leaders in our field. We serve individuals, groups, and businesses not just in Lincolnshire but across the UK thanks to our nationwide delivery service. We use a range of techniques to print designs onto t-shirts, including screen printing, DTG printing, transfer printing, and dye sublimation printing. If you’re not sure which method best suits your needs, simply talk to one of our team. We’re highly experienced in all aspects of t-shirt printing and can provide you with expert advice.
Contact us
For professional t-shirt printing in Lincoln, Grimsby, and Scunthorpe, contact Banaman Clothing. Telephone 0800 086 2617 to discuss your requirements with our friendly and knowledgeable team. Alternatively, you can get in touch by messaging us via the contact form on the website. Whether you’re still wondering what are the different ways to print onto a t-shirt or you’re ready to place an order, we can assist.
