There’s always a good reason to print your own custom t-shirt, like if you want to spread the word about a cool new brand or if you want your family to look good for Instagram photos at a family reunion. Sure, you probably have a lot of t-shirts that are comfortable and can be worn in many ways. But there is always room for more, so why not make your own?
In this step-by-step t-shirt printing guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know to print a t-shirt, from figuring out how many you want and how much you want to spend, to choosing a printing method and the right fabric. We can help you with how to print your new favorite t-shirt.
Step 1: Create A Design
Without a great design, you can’t print a T-shirt. So, to make a long story short, make sure your design tells your story, matches your brand, or just looks cool. But you can get an idea of how to print a design on a t-shirt from the Gildan G420 Wholesale shirt. Here, we talk about this brand because it’s popular, but its prints aren’t all the same. This is just a source of ideas. Then, think about what you want your shirt to say about you or your business. Who are you trying to get your message across to? Take your time to make a design that shows who you are as a brand, whether it’s an illustration, a logo, a slogan, or a mix of all three.
Also, remember that your design needs to work with whatever color t-shirt you choose. For example, a design with dark colors won’t show up well on a dark blue or black t-shirt. So, if you want to print on black t-shirts, you should use lighter colors in your design, and vice versa.
Step 2: Determine The Quantity & Budget
Before you get too far into the printing process, you should figure out how many you want to print and how much you can spend. As with any kind of printing, if you order a lot of the same thing, the price per item will probably go down. If you’re going to sell the shirts, ordering in bulk is a good idea.
Besides the number, you should also know how many of each size you need. When you’re printing shirts for merchandise, keep in mind that some sizes are more popular than others, but it’s always important to have a wide range.
How Much Does It Cost To Print T-Shirts?
Usually, it costs $15 to $30 to print one T-shirt, but if you print a lot of them, each one will only cost $5 to $10. Prices for printing on t-shirts depend on the printing method you use, the quality of the plain t-shirts you use, and how many t-shirts you order. You can get big discounts on bulk orders.
Step 3: Select The Printing Method
When deciding how to print on a T-shirt, how much it will cost, how it will look, how long it will take to make, and what materials to use, all of these things will come into play. Let’s talk about these important details using three common ways of printing:
Printing On Screens
T-shirts with screen prints can be made by hand or with a machine. And no matter what, this is the best way to print on T-shirts. The printer will make original screens of your T-shirt design, so you can print a lot of them. Screen printing is reliable, cheap, and makes good products. This is the best way to place a large order.
Cons: Every new color or change to the design needs a new screen. Designs with a lot of colors end up costing a lot.
Pro Tip: It’s best for bulk orders and printing bright colors on dark shirts.
Graphics On Vinyl
Transfer printing is best for making T-shirts with vinyl designs. Screen printing gives a different look and feel, one that is bold and more three-dimensional. Vinyl is often thought to last longer than ink.
Tip: Simple graphics and short-run orders with basic shapes and/or text-based designs work best.
Direct-To-Garment
Direct-to-garment printing, or DTG, is a newer method that takes advantage of the flexibility of inkjet printing. With this method, ink is sprayed onto the fabric, just like how inkjet printing is done on paper.
Pro Tip: The best option for small orders that require a lot of attention to detail.
Step 4: Find A Printer
If you’re having your shirts printed locally, ask for samples of finished shirts, not just pictures of the designs. If you decide to use an online printing company, make sure to read reviews from other customers and call their customer service to see if they’re a good fit for your project and printing needs.
Step 5: Select A Shirt Style And Fabric
There are a lot of different styles, types, and cuts out there. Choose the one that fits your audience best.
A T-shirt should be comfortable, plain, and simple. Remember this as you look for fabrics for your new design.
100% cotton is one of the most popular choices. You can wear it in many ways and it is easy to wash and wear. The 50% polyester/50% cotton blend is a crowd favorite and is often cheaper than pure cotton. It is softer and breathes better than pure cotton.
Before you start a business, make sure you know how your competitors are doing. For example, if you want to print t-shirts and sell them online, the Gildan clothing brand would be a great place to get ideas and inspiration. Find out how they print their “Gildan G420 Wholesale shirts” from them. Learning how professionals work is the easiest way to come up with a great design for a t-shirt that will look great when its printing part is complete.
Step 6: Send Your Files
When you’re ready to print, you’ll need to send the files for your design to your printer. Talk to your printer directly and ask them about specific file types, color needs, and file sizes.
Step 7: Get Your T-Shirts!
When your shirts are done being printed, you should pick them up and look them over. Make sure you’re happy with the final product and thank the printer for all of their hard work. If possible, leave a review of your experience. Now, have fun with your awesome new shirts!
