How to Print a T-Shirt: A Step-By-Step Guide to T-Shirt Printing

Printing your custom t-shirt is always a good option when you’re focusing to promote a new business. Also, it is useful in many other situations.

Due to this reason, the demand for this is increasing day by day. So, it is always a good idea to try your hands in this web to print business.

In the following section, we will go through the basics of t-shirt printing and the step-by-step guide to do this.

Step 1: Getting A Design

A superb design is required to print a t-shirt. So, make sure you have a design that suits your brand or just looks great. Begin by determining what you want your t-shirt to say about you or your company.

Who are the people you’re attempting to reach out to? Take your time while creating a design that effectively reflects your brand identity, whether it features a slogan, a logo, an illustration, or a mix of all three.

Remember that whichever t-shirt color you pick, your design must work with it. A design with dark colors would not show up well on a black or dark blue t-shirt. So, if you want to print on black t-shirts, it is very important to use lighter colors in your design, and vice versa.

Working with a professional designer is the easiest way to get a fantastic t-shirt design that will look great on the finished printed shirt.

Step 2: Figuring Out Your Budget and Quantity

You should have a good idea about your estimated budget and quantity before you begin the printing process.

Ordering a large quantity will likely lower the cost per piece as with any sort of printing. It’s a good idea to order in bulk, particularly if you’ll be selling the shirts.

Determine the sizes as well as how many of each you’ll need in addition to the quantity. Keep in mind that certain sizes are more popular than others when printing merchandise shirts. But it’s always good to have a diverse variety. Certain sizes can be more expensive than others, depending on your manufacturer.

Having a firm grasp on your quantity as well as budget is also crucial in narrowing down your printing options.

Your printing method will be influenced by the number of shirts you require. Some processes are particularly well suited to large-scale printing. Others have a higher cost per shirt cost and are best suited for small orders.

How Much Does T-Shirt Printing Cost?

A single t-shirt may cost anywhere from $15 to $30 to print, while printing in large volume can cut the cost per shirt down to $5 to $10.

T-shirt printing costs vary based on the printing technique, the quality of the plain t-shirts being printed on, as well as the number of t-shirts being ordered. For bulk orders, you can get big discounts.

Step 3: Selecting Your Printing Method

Differences in cost, look, materials, as well as production time, will all come into play when printing a T-shirt and deciding on the right method. Some of the well-known printing techniques are:

• Screen Printing

Screen-printed t-shirts can be made by machine or by hand. This process is considered to be the gold standard for T-shirt printing in either way.

• Direct-To-Garment

Direct to garment printing (DTG) is a more recent printing method that takes advantage of inkjet’s flexibility. This particular method sprays ink onto the garment similar to inkjet printing on paper.

• Vinyl Graphics

Transfer printing is used to create t-shirts with vinyl designs. It results in a different texture and looks from screen printing. Vinyl is often thought to be more long-lasting than ink.

Step 4: Coming Across A Printer

It’s time to choose a printer after you’ve decided on your design, budget, as well as a printing technique. There are several choices available (both locally and online), so it is recommended to take your time to explore different available options.

You should request samples of actual and finished shirts, not just design images if you’re printing locally.

Keep in mind that a printer’s role is to translate a design into an actual print, and only a finished product reveals this. To do this, they will make use of a tshirt design software.

In case, you decide to go with an online printing service provider, make sure to read customer reviews first before selecting them. If you find that they are the right fit for your printing and project requirements, you can give them a call.

Step 5: Selecting A Fabric And Shirt Type

A T-shirt should be comfy, plain as well as straightforward. Whenever you look at fabric options for your new design, you should always keep this in mind.

One of the most popular choices is 100 percent cotton. It’s easy to wear, versatile, and even simpler to clean. Try a 50 percent polyester/50 percent cotton blend for a more breathable and softer alternative. The best part about this material is that it is less expensive than pure cotton.

Consult your printer to see which fabrics will work best for your budget as well as quantity.

You’ll need to decide on a shirt type in addition to the fabric.

Before choosing the right type of t-shirt, consider your target demographic as well as desired outcomes. It will help you to come across the best option.

Step 6: Submitting Your Files

You’ll need to send your design files to your printer when you’re ready to start the printing process. Directly communicate with your printer as well as to inquire about particular file formats, file sizes, and color specifications.

Always ask in advance to prevent any potential misunderstandings. Provide this information to your designer so that they can supply final files to you.

Step 7: Checking Your Proof

Before a t-shirt gets printed, a printer should always send you proof, particularly if you’re ordering in bulk.

This can specifically be a digital proof or a test print of the shirt itself. This is your last opportunity to make any changes, so review it carefully. Check everything: the alignment, the colors, the words, etc.

At the time of reviewing, it’s a good idea to show the proof to an impartial 3^rd party. They can give you a new perspective on any possible problems.

Step 8: Getting Your Tees!

Pick up your t-shirts after they’ve been printed and double-check everything. Make sure you’re happy with the final output and thank your printer for the hard work. Finally, enjoy your amazing new t-shirts.

Final Words

So, in this guide, we have covered everything from the budget as well as quantity to t-shirt printing procedures to fabric selection. It’s now up to you to get started! Determine your objectives before printing the perfect t-shirt.

Therefore, this can be a very good option, if you are looking to establish your web to print shop.