When you’re thinking of launching a clothing business, there are many things to consider. From sourcing your own t-shirts, to selecting the right printing method for your products. You’ll also need to decide what kind of design or branding you want to create and whether you want to sell your t-shirts online or at physical stores.
Clothes printing is a production method that involves using a special printer to apply a full-image design directly onto fabric. The ink will then soak into and fuse with the material, creating a strong and durable print that won’t peel easily after several washes. This makes it a great option for producing high-quality t-shirts, and it’s suitable for a wide range of designs, from simple text to detailed illustrations.
The four main types of clothes printing are block, roller, screen and sublimation printing. All of these methods involve applying colour as a thickened paste, followed by fixation, either by steaming or aging (sometimes called flash aging), and washing to remove any loose dye and thickener.
In screen printing, a stencil of the image is created on a mesh screen. Ink is then pushed through this mesh, which covers the fabric to be printed. This is a great choice for printing dark colours on natural fabrics, like cotton.
Digital printing is a popular garment printing technique. It involves printing a design on transfer paper and then applying it to a piece of apparel by heat. It’s a great choice for printing small batches, as it takes less time than other types of printing. The only thing you need is the garment, the transfer paper and a heat press machine.