There are many types of t-shirt prints available in the market which is used by the manufacturers to convert a simple t-shirt into an attractive one. The main reason behind the t-shirt print to make t-shirt look good in order to attract large number of customers.
For Example:
Screen printing uses ink on a t-shirt using a mesh screen stencil. Screening is a method of designing prints and graphics on t-shirts. This method is applied to various fabrics for a durable design. It uses the thick ink that lies on the top of the t-shirt. Printing is the best method for applying design, messages, and patterns to clothing. There are many more methods of printing, like DTG (direct-to-garment), heat transfer printing, and vinyl printing. Each method has its own advantages in terms of durability, cost, and design. Print may be of the company name, logo, pictures, etc.
Usually are many types of t-shirt prints available in the market but here we are going to discuss about some of the most used t-shirt prints which are as follows:
Types of print on t-shirts:
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DTG( Direct to Garment):This is a special type of print that is directly printed onto the fabric by inkjet technology. It is best for small orders and for high-quality t-shirts. Firstly, the design is sent to the printer, then printed on the t-shirt.
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Heat press printing: This is the process of printing by heating the paper onto the fabric. Firstly, printing was done on the paper, and then, using heat, the design was transferred onto the t-shirt. It can be used for cotton, polyester, and blends. It is suitable for small runs, customization, and full color.
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Dye sublimation: This method is used for photorealistic and vibrant printing. It is more expensive than the other method. It has the ability to soak the ink directly onto the fabric. This is used to print customized photos on the t-shirt.
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Embroidery: Embroidery is the best method of applying the best design to the t-shirt. Embroidery is durable for garments. Threads are used for stitching designs. Embroidery is basically stitching the design using thread on a t-shirt. Once the complete design is done, extra threads are removed, and then the embroidery is flattened.
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Textile printing is the process of applying patterns, designs, and images to t-shirts. It is very close to bleaching and doesn’t harm the fabric. It is not easy to print textiles, and it is a costly method.
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Airbrushing is a very unique method; it doesn't require a paper print. It is a technique that requires an airbrush for spraying paint on cloth. Different types of patterns can be designed using an airbrush gun.
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Foil printing: Metallic paper is used for the foil printing. This metal paper is highly pressurized and heated to stick to the paper. Metallic print allows for neon print, glitter print, and bold print. Mettalic print is a long-lasting print.
- 3-D printing: 3-D printing is one of the special types of t-shirt prints made up of new technology that measures dimensions and height. Unlike flat printing, 3-D printing adds depth and dimension to the printed design on the t-shirt. It provides a visual impact on the image or picture.
Materials required for the printing:
- Printer
- Transfer paper
- Graphic program
- Dryer
- Ink
- Cutter
- Scissors
- Image editing software
Which printing method is best for the printing?
- Screen printing and DTG printing are best for printing on normal fabrics, such as cotton.
- Flat-screen printing is useful for graphically simple printing.
- DTG is used for the complicated print on the t-shirt.
- Dye sublimation printing is used for the polyester, but it does not suit the cotton.
- Digital printing using acid dye is used to print on the wool and silk, as they adhere well to the surface of these fabrics.
Tips for printing design
- Explore the trend and innovation (e.g., backprinting is today’s trend).
- Choose the correct printing method for a particular fabric.
- Use sustainable ink.
- Use the eco-friendly printing method.