The process of clothes printing begins with the creation of a design on a transparent acetate film. The printer then selects a mesh screen that suits the design and coats it with light-reactive emulsion. This emulsion hardens and adheres to the fabric when exposed to a bright light. The acetate sheet containing the design is then laid over the emulsion-coated screen. The light hardens the emulsion, but the parts of the screen that do not contain the design remain in a liquid state. The result is a durable fabric that can be washed and worn intensively for many years.
A few methods exist for clothes printing, including direct-to-garment printing and screen printing. Direct-to-garment printing (DTG) is a quick and affordable method that is ideal for one-off projects. The downside of this method is that it does not work on all fabrics, including non-cotton ones. DTG printing is a great option for companies looking to provide print-on-demand services, as it eliminates the need to maintain backstock and inventory.
For dark-colored shirts, you will need to prepare the surface by placing the transfer paper on the fabric. You may also want to place a cotton pillowcase on top of the T-shirt printing area. An ironing board that has metal bars is also useful. Depending on the type of transfer paper you use, you may have to iron the T-shirt for a certain amount of time.