The ultimate guide to the 8 most common types of shirt printing
Whether you're looking for a simple solution or something more complex, this guide will help you find the right t-shirt printing technique for your needs.
Picking the best t-shirt printing method for your business can be confusing. With so many options, how can you know which is the best fit for your t-shirt designs?
Below is a thorough comparison of the top three t-shirt printing techniques – considering the color and fabric limitations, costs, and difficulty of each printing process. We also describe other alternatives and the cost-effective approach of printing t-shirts with Printify.
What are the 3 best t-shirt printing methods?
The best printing method depends on individual needs – order size, production time, materials, costs, and other important factors. Three printing techniques top all others in terms of convenience, speed, and quality. They are dye sublimation, screen, and direct-to-garment printing.
Let’s take a closer look at all three options and which to pick for your designs.
1. Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing
The 2022 market value of $822.1 million makes DTG printing the most popular and fastest-growing method. With a proper InkJet printer, you can print complex designs and photographs on pre-treated fabrics for small orders or just one shirt.
- Fabrics: DTG is best for 100% cotton t-shirts or 50-50 polyester blends. Ringspun and combed cotton will have the best results. Darker materials must be pre-treated for a crisp result of the same design.
- Equipment: DTG printer with special inks, heat press or hot iron, and design software.
- Colors: Unlimited print options for colorful designs. From small details to multiple colors, the result will be vibrant, blended with the fabric, and soft to the touch.
- Production speed: Fast production method for one-off designs and small quantities. A long and tedious process for bulk printing.
- Cost: The InkJet technology tends to be pricey, but no other setup costs are required.
2. Dye sublimation printing (AOP)
This heat-press method is for unique and all-over-print designs, including patterns. Heat transfers the printed design from a transfer paper onto the fabric, embedding it into the material. This results in a durable print and vivid design – for big and small orders.
- Fabrics: The sublimation print is limited to light synthetic fabrics (polyester for the win). The design won’t be bright and crisp on dark fabrics.
- Equipment: Sublimation printer, heat press, special heat transfer paper, sublimation inks, and design software.
- Colors: Dye sublimation is perfect for any t-shirt design – no matter how complicated or what color scope it has.
- Production speed: Average. While there is some prepping, the process goes quickly once you get the hang of it.
- Cost: This is a low-cost printing method for your t-shirts or business needs. These t-shirt printers are affordable, putting your total equipment costs as low as $500.
3. Screen printing
One other method worth mentioning is screen printing. The process ensures high-resolution prints – one of the main reasons it’s still relevant among easier and cheaper methods.
Print the design on a prepared stencil, pour inks over it, and press it down on the t-shirt. If you need mass-production t-shirts with the same simple design, this is the technique for you.
- Fabrics: Screen printing takes the win in terms of fabric limitations. Cotton, polyester, and close to any other fabric in the fashion industry can be screen printed.
- Equipment: Quality ink, mesh screen, squeegee to apply ink, stencil paper, and a knife.
- Colors: Screen printing has one of the most limited color scopes of all the techniques. You can use any color, but a color remix is complicated and hard to achieve.
- Production speed: Large orders with the same simple design are speedy with stencil printing.
- Cost: It can be costly if you need a separate screen for each color and equipment for a larger production.
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Other printing methods to consider
Heat-press printing
Heat transfer printing is similar to sublimation. The design is printed on heat transfer paper, then pressed onto the shirt and peeled off, leaving a stiffer design on the shirt. It’s cheap with almost no color or material limitations, but the result is not as smooth.
Direct-to-film printing
You print the design on a film and coat it with powder, which is then heat-pressed – embedding the design into the shirt. While the result is strong and elastic, the process is slow, tedious, and only suitable for small-scale orders.
CAD cut vinyl heat transfer printing
Vinyl printing is best for small logos or numbering on sports jerseys. The process is fast, easy, and all-fabric-friendly, but the heat transfer vinyl design is stiff, uncomfortable, and color-limited.
Start your t-shirt printing business with Printify
What if we told you there’s a way to run a t-shirt business without any investments, equipment, or inventory? And you can still choose a printing method, synthetic or natural fabrics, colors, and everything else. Well, it’s true.
Printify offers direct-to-garment, direct-to-film, and dye sublimation techniques for a massive collection of t-shirts. Our prices are the best in the market and our platform is beginner friendly. Have your custom t-shirts ready for printing in minutes.
Sign up and pick a shirt
Create a Printify account and browse our Catalog to pick a shirt that matches your intentions. The left side lets you filter criteria like the print area, printing method, fulfillment location, and more. Choose a shirt and click Start designing.
Apply your design
Our free Mockup Generator will help you create the most epic designs from texts and patterns to unique elements, colors, and more. The tool has all the features and guidelines you need to design one-of-a-kind shirts.
Order or sell t-shirts online
Place an order or list your shirts online and sell them worldwide with the most trustworthy print providers and Printify. Integrate your store, set up quality listings, and make money – all orders are fulfilled and delivered by your selected Print Provider.
Best t-shirt printing methods: FAQ
It depends on many factors – order size, print complexity, print area, and more. That being said, DTG and dye sublimation takes the cake. These methods are affordable, fast, and durable, resulting in long-lasting vibrant designs.
Digital printing, in general, is relatively new. With all the printing methods out there and people getting more environmentally conscious, digital printing techniques are leading the way with eco-friendly inks, papers, and other materials.
While screen printing is a reasonable choice for printing t-shirts, it has limited design possibilities and print areas. The high costs place it below other, better options, such as DTG and dye sublimation.
