If you’re looking to get designs printed on your clothes, you can choose from several methods. Some are digital and some are traditional. For example, thermal transfer printing uses a heat press to press the transfer sheet onto the garment. This process is inexpensive and easy to learn. However, it’s not ideal for large-scale production or if you want to sell your printed shirts.
Direct to garment printing (DTG) is a popular method for small-batch t-shirts. Using a machine, you can print hundreds of different colors on a single shirt. A DTG print has a softer feel than a screenprint and is generally more vibrant. However, you should be aware that the print may fade after several washes.
Before you start printing your t-shirts, you should carefully remove any wrinkles. Then, iron the shirt on a non-steaming iron. After that, insert a piece of cardboard or foam core to create a frame for the image. This will prevent the ink from bleeding through. You can then discard the cardboard frame or recycle it for reuse.
You should also consider the deadline you have for printing your shirts. If you’re selling shirts online, you’ll want to consider the shipping time. It’s better to choose a local printer if you’re under a tight deadline. In addition, you should choose a comfortable fabric for your t-shirts. For example, 100% cotton shirts will look best, but you can also select a 50% cotton/50-poly blend if you prefer.