Ready to elevate your custom t-shirt game? Whether for business or a special event, knowing the best t-shirt printing methods is key.
This guide introduces you to the top eight t-shirt printing methods. From widely favored screen printing to intricate embroidery and innovative combined methods, we cover it all.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no additional cost to you.
The most popular t-shirt printing types
Two of the most popular types of clothing printing, where the ink is applied directly onto the garment, are screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing. Let’s take a closer look at both and discuss their pros and cons.
Direct-to-garment printing (DTG)
The DTG shirt printing method is one of the best ways how to print on cotton shirts. It uses an inkjet printer to print the artwork directly onto the garment. The DTG technique helps produce high-quality prints in full color, making it ideal for complex designs or photographic images.
Although inkjet printers for DTG printing can be expensive, they’re more cost-effective for small batches, as there are no setup costs. DTG is ideal for printing a few shirts, as it prints directly onto the fabric.
The process involves pre-treatment to ensure proper ink fixation to the fabric and prevent bleeding. Additionally, the t-shirt is heated before printing to activate this treatment, ensuring a high-quality print.
Pros:
- Perfect for detailed prints.
- Fast production.
- Ink seamlessly integrates into the fabric, leaving no texture to the touch.
Cons:
- Best suited for 100% cotton t-shirts or blends.
- DTG prints wash out over time.
- Limited print area.
Screen printing
Screen printing, also known as silkscreen, is the most popular printing method. It involves applying ink onto a t-shirt using a mesh screen stencil. This method is effective for producing vibrant, durable designs on various fabrics.
It uses special screen printing inks that are thicker than those used for other printing techniques, resulting in long-lasting, vibrant prints. As opposed to DTG printing, screen printing is better suited for designs with fewer colors.
The silkscreen t-shirt printing method is ideal for large quantities of up to 500 t-shirts, as it’s relatively simple to set up and use.
Is it the best way to print on shirts? You decide, as it can be more expensive for smaller orders due to the setup cost involved.
Pros:
- Screen printing ink is deeply absorbed into fibers, resulting in vibrant prints.
- Fast printing process for large amounts of t-shirts.
- Can be used on most materials, including polyester t-shirts and beyond.
- Screen-printed t-shirts can withstand countless wash cycles without fading.
Cons:
- Limited printing area for shirt prints.
- Screen printing ink tends to spill and can get messy.
- Limited colors – you won’t be able to achieve an extremely colorful design or print a very vivid photograph with silkscreen printing.
Heat transfer printing methods
Of the many different methods for printing custom t-shirts, heat transfer printing is one of the most popular. This uses a heat press to transfer an image or design onto the t-shirt.
The heat transfer method is different from both previous ones since it doesn’t require any special inks or dyes – all you need is a heat press machine and transfer paper.
This printing technique lets you print almost any design or image onto a shirt, including all-over-print designs that cover the entire t-shirt.
The methods listed below are subtypes of heat-press printing, so pick what’s best for your t-shirt printing business.
Dye sublimation or all-over printing (AOP)
Dye sublimation printing, also known as all-over printing (AOP), is among the most popular types of shirt printing. The designs are digitally printed onto a special heat transfer paper on a sublimation printer, which is then transferred onto t-shirts with a heat press.
Dye-sublimation uses heat to transform dye-based ink into gas, bonding it with synthetic materials like polyester. This unique process, differing from other heat transfer methods, embeds the ink deeply into the fabric, resulting in vibrant, durable prints.
Compared to surface printing techniques, the ink infuses into the fabric, making this the best way to print shirts if you want vivid and long-lasting results.
Unlike other t-shirt printing techniques, this one can’t be used with cotton, which is very porous, causing ‘bleeding’ – the result will look dull and blurry.
Light fabrics of synthetic materials rule here – the higher the percentage of polyester, the better the result. This method is best with white polyester shirts, as dark base colors won’t achieve high-quality prints because the dyes completely integrate with the material’s fibers.
The screen printing process and DTG printing can’t be used for all-over printing, so you can be more creative with the dye sublimation method in your t-shirt business.
Pros:
- Long-lasting results on polyester fabrics, as the dyes fully penetrate the fibers.
- One of the best t-shirt printing options for longevity, as the colors will not crack or fade.
- Can cover the entire shirt from seam to seam.
Cons:
- Can’t be used on dark fabrics; all of the all-over-print t-shirt blanks are white, as the dyes need to penetrate the fabric.
- Can’t be used on cotton t-shirts.
- More expensive than other printing methods.
Direct-to-film printing (DTF)
Direct-to-film printing, or DTF, is one of the best t-shirt printing techniques and involves transferring designs from a special PET film to t-shirts using adhesive powder and heat. Unlike DTG printing, DTF doesn’t require garment pretreatment since the design is pre-printed on film.
This method works on various fabrics, including polyester and cotton, offering vibrant results. DTF differs from DTG as it leaves a plasticky and shiny finish due to the fixing powder, yet it enhances color vibrancy without affecting the shirt’s base color.
Pros:
- Allows printing on various fabrics, including very light fabric options.
- Bright and beautiful prints – the designs are applied to the fabric without penetrating the fibers.
- Can be transferred onto any base color.
- High wear and tear resistance.
- One of the best types of prints on clothes for vibrancy.
Cons:
- Can only be used on smaller items like tees, cushion covers, or face masks.
- The print feels plastic-like.
- More complex than dye sublimation or DTG printing.
Plastisol transfers
Regarding heat press printing, we need to mention plastisol transfers. This is a type of indirect screen printing – the methods are similar, but instead of printing directly on the t-shirt, the design is first put on heat transfer paper.
Plastisol transfers, applicable to various fabrics, including neoprene and some nylons, offer a cost-effective alternative to silkscreen printing for smaller quantities.
The process involves printing plastisol ink onto plastisol transfer paper, which is then placed on a t-shirt and heat-pressed to transfer the design. This method allows for special finishes like glossy or textured effects, using parchment paper in the process.
Pros:
- Various finishes.
- Extremely durable – the print won’t crack or fade.
- Great for creating shirts with the same design but small differences, for example, sports teams, where you need to change names or player numbers.
Cons:
- Can’t print photo t-shirts.
- With transfer paper, can only print full tones.
- Not ideal for large t-shirt quantities, as each product requires its own paper print.
CAD heat transfer vinyl printing
Computer-aided design or CAD heat transfer vinyl printing is mostly used for printing player numbers, names, and logos on sports team shirts or jerseys, requiring precise cutting of the material.
A machine cuts out CAD designs on pieces of colored heat transfer vinyl, which are then put onto the t-shirt with a heat press.
As with most other shirt printing techniques, this requires special equipment – a CAD cutting machine for precise lettering. This t-shirt printing method gives a rather stiff result because of the vinyl used in the process.
Pros:
- Best printing method for sports teams’ jerseys.
- Can be applied anywhere on the garment.
- Any type of fabric will work.
Cons:
- Can only be used for text-based designs.
- Because of the precise cutting, the process takes a long time.
Other printing techniques
Besides DTG and heat press printing, there are other types of shirt printing that you can use to apply your shirt designs to a garment. These methods allow you to achieve slightly different products for your t-shirt business.
Embroidery
Embroidery is a great way how to make graphic tees that last. Embroidered logos have a more sophisticated look compared to what can be achieved with vinyl printing.
With embroidery, you need to follow strict design requirements, as the designs are made with a sewing machine. The color variations are limited, as is the print area. However, embroidery will last longer than any other printing method.
Pros:
- Extremely durable t-shirt design.
- Looks professional and timeless.
- No dyes involved, more eco-friendly.
Cons:
- Not suitable for detailed designs.
- Smaller product range.
- Very strict design requirements.
- Pricier than other t-shirt printing methods.
Discharge printing
Discharge printing is a unique fabric printing technique used primarily on dark-colored garments. It involves applying a discharge ink that deactivates the dye in the fabric. Instead of laying color on top of the shirt, it removes the shirt’s original dye, revealing the natural color of the fabric or the dye’s lighter shade.
This method results in a very soft print that becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it.
Pros:
- Integrates seamlessly into fabric without adding stiffness.
- Resistant to cracking, fading, or peeling.
- Excels on dark clothing.
- Achieves a stylish, washed-out look.
Cons:
- Color outcomes are less predictable.
- More environmentally harsh than some water-based inks.
- Slight variations can occur between shirts.
Which t-shirt printing methods should you choose?
What is the best printing method for t-shirts? It all comes down to whether you want to print complex designs, invest in a DTG printer, or trust the process to a printing company like Printify to handle your heat press or DTG ideas from A to Z.
Also, consider what designs you have in mind: a small logo, large designs, or an intricate print.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| T-shirt printing technique | Quality | Print area | Design options | Durability | Time | Volume | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct-to-garment (DTG) | High | Low | High | Medium | High | Low | Medium |
| Screen printing | High | Low | Low | High | High | High | Medium |
| Heat transfer (general) | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Dye sublimation | High | High | Low | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| Direct-to-film (DTF) | High | Medium | High | High | Medium | Low | High |
| Plastisol transfers | High | Low | Low | High | Varies | Low | Low |
| Vinyl | Medium | High | Low | Low | Low | Varies | Varies |
| Embroidery | High | Low | Low | High | Low | Low | High |
| Discharge printing | Medium | Low | Low | High | Medium | Varies | Medium |
Use multiple types of shirt printing with Printify
If you don’t feel like investing in any equipment for your t-shirt printing business, there is a neat and cost-effective way to do it without lifting a finger or operating an expensive, high-quality printer.
Printify is a print-on-demand dropshipping company – a leader in the t-shirt printing industry – and offers over 900 other custom products for you to design and sell online for a profit.
What types of printing methods are available with Printify?
Printify offers the following printing methods for dropshipping products:
- Direct-to-garment printing or DTG
- Dye sublimation printing or AOP
- Direct-to-film printing
What is Print on Demand?
Print on Demand is an order fulfillment method where a product is only printed after the customer pays for it. This is amazing for a couple of reasons.
First, there are no unsold items, as the products are printed on demand. Second, designers and merchants like you don’t need to keep physical stock.
And third, you don’t need to stress about anything that happens after making a sale. Printify and its Print Providers all over the world handle every step of the process, from printing your t-shirts to packaging, shipping, and even customer support.
Printify offers easy integration with the most well-known eCommerce platforms and marketplaces, like Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, and others.
With Printify, no order is too small
There is no minimum order, so anyone can create their own t-shirts.
You don’t feel like getting into mass production? No problem. Even if you want to create a single shirt for yourself or a couple of shirts for your bridal party or other special events, you can at no added cost.
How to create t-shirts with Printify
Sign up
To start printing t-shirts, register for a free Printify account. All you need is a valid email address. No credit cards, no nonsense.
Choose a product
Select products to print in the vast Printify Catalog of over 900 items. Under each product, choose the Print Provider based on the price, location, and other criteria. Click Start designing to go to the free Product Creator (formerly known as Mockup Generator).
Add designs
Upload the designs you’ve created. If you’re not a skilled artist, try our free graphics library, use the AI Image Generator, or browse through Shutterstock integration.
Edit and save the product
Adjust the design on the virtual product. Click Preview to see a life-like product mockup. When happy, click Save and proceed.
Order samples
If you’re not here to make money online by selling t-shirts, this is the last step you need to take for now. But if you are, in your Printify dashboard, order your brand-new shirts as sample products.
Ordering samples is always a great idea if you plan to open an online store. This way, you can see and feel the product before offering it to shoppers.
If you want to save up to 20% on each product, sign up for Printify Premium.
Connect a store
Printify integrates with some of the most popular eCommerce platforms and marketplaces. Choose the one that works best for your printed shirt business: a marketplace like Etsy or a platform like Shopify, and connect with your Printify account.
To skip the integration process, create a Printify Pop-Up Store. Instantly create and sell products through a unique store link without any upfront costs or commissions.
Publish and start selling
It’s time to list your t-shirts online. With just a few clicks from your Printify dashboard, you’re done. Edit product descriptions or keep the ones that are already there, set your prices, and you’re ready to start selling.
FAQ
The environmental impact varies across different shirt printing methods. Traditional methods like screen printing, using water and plastisol inks, can be resource-intensive. Digital methods like DTG are generally more eco-friendly and use less water and energy. Sustainable practices depend on the choice of inks and materials.
Initial setup costs and ongoing expenses differ significantly across printing methods. Screen printing requires more upfront investment for screens and setup, making it less cost-effective for small batches. DTG printers have high initial costs but lower per-unit costs for small runs. Sublimation and heat transfer are relatively affordable to start but may have higher costs per item for large orders.
Screen printing can leave a noticeable layer on the fabric, while DTG prints are softer to the touch. Sublimation offers a no-feel print, as the ink becomes part of the fabric. The choice of printing method can influence the print’s texture and durability over time, impacting comfort and fit.
Final thoughts
Feeling inspired? Dive into the diverse world of shirt printing, unleash your creativity, and maybe even start your own clothing line! Whether it’s sublimation for unique designs, heat transfer vinyl for team shirts, or conventional screen printing, the choice is yours.
Embrace the ease of print-on-demand and print t-shirts for yourself and for selling to people worldwide. With this fresh knowledge, find the best way to print t-shirts, sketch your ideas, brainstorm your brand, and start designing. Remember, whether you DIY or partner with Printify, your t-shirt vision is just a print away.
