T Shirts Printing at T Shirts Shop Dallas

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Types of printing on T-shirts at T Shirts Shop Dallas

Printing on T-shirts is a technology for applying designs, logos, texts or other information to fabric. The foremen of the production departments select methods for printing on T-shirts, based on the color of the substrate, the composition of the knitwear, visual effects ordered by customers, and the volume of printed circulation. The client can also choose the technology for applying prints – from the desired cost of the product, the speed of batch production, the quality of the applied pattern. What kind of printing is on T-shirts and what looks better on knitwear, we analyze with the master of our advertising and production company Promance. We are the best T shirt shop in Dallas to provide the t shirt printing service.

What are the types of T-shirt printing?

The image on the fabric can be created using threads, paints or a film method – printed, glued, drawn. But before choosing a method for applying pictures to a T-shirt, it is worth evaluating the type of fabric chosen. Important factors:

  • composition of knitwear – some technologies give good results only on synthetic fabrics, others can be used with all materials;
  • color of the product – the best drawings are obtained on light or white T-shirts, and the most stringent requirements are placed on black and dark knitwear;
  • drawing area – a number of techniques allow you to seal 100% of the area, create amazing visual and volumetric effects, but usually technologies are implemented in a limited space of fabrics;
  • Desired image clarity – many modern T-shirt printing technologies allow you to reproduce images with photographic accuracy and the transmission of all halftones and transitions.

Having received the design and wishes for the product, the masters of the production department select the optimal type of printing on T-shirts. Common branding techniques include:

  • silkscreen;
  • sublimation;
  • embroidery;
  • digital printing;
  • thermal transfer;
  • flex;
  • full color printing with thermal transfer.

Each technology for applying an image to a T-shirt has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Silkscreen, screen printing

Silk-screen printing  is one of the most ancient and well-tried technologies. Its essence is the creation of stencils for each color of the image and the layer-by-layer application of dyes to knitwear. The technique involves the use of a variety of paints and coloring compositions, including those with unusual visual effects. The pattern applied to the fabric is fixed by polymerization or other technology, which guarantees a tight fixation of the image or logo on the textile base.

Using the silkscreen method, apply:

  • fluorescent patterns;
  • inscriptions in gold or silver;
  • three-dimensional ornaments;
  • etched images;
  • holographic films;
  • 3D pictures;
  • various glitters.

Advantages of the technique:

  • unlimited circulation – from 10 units per lot to thousands of items per order;
  • financial benefit – cost reduction as the circulation increases;
  • speed – fast printing of images after preparing stencils;
  • excellent color reproduction – the finished drawing is distinguished by the brightness of colors, good detail, contrast;
  • durability of the logo on the fabric – resistance to washing, UV rays;
  • versatility – requirements for fabric are minimal.

An important feature of this type of printing is the immutability of the stencil. The entire batch is printed in a single design. Making changes or modifications requires creating a new template.

sublimation printing

Sublimation  is the only type of printing on T-shirts that requires a synthetic base as a substrate. Sublimation paints simply do not fall on natural fibers. The secret of such a “selective” attitude lies in the methodology itself. Special dispersed sublimation dyes, when heated, pass from a solid state to a gaseous state, penetrate deep into the fibers and polymerize there under the influence of temperature and pressure. Coloring occurs in the mass, which guarantees uniformity and durability of the finished image.

Advantages of technology:

  • image durability – exceptional durability of the print on the fabric;
  • photographic detail – the safety of all tones and midtones;
  • printing in the cut and on products – the possibility of 100% sealing of the T-shirt;
  • circulation from 1 copy.

Features of the technique:

  • limited batches – up to 100,000 copies of T-shirts;
  • synthetic component in the composition of the material – at least 50%;
  • white or light base – dark t-shirts do not sublimate.

T-shirt embroidery

Embroidery  is a method of applying an image to a T-shirt using colored threads. The resulting inscription or logo looks especially presentable, expensive, exclusive in this case. This type of corporate clothing branding is chosen by companies that care about the image and want to emphasize their own exclusivity.

Advantages of technology:

  • quality;
  • durability;
  • design exclusivity;
  • versatility.

Embroidery allows you to create different special effects on the fabric. In particular, the Promans company orders embroidered textured logos, glossy or with a metallic sheen, three-dimensional images.

Direct digital printing

Digital printing is a progressive technology, during which the design is created directly on the fabric without intermediate steps. A special textile printer is used for this.

A T-shirt for applying a logo is subjected to a small processing, the purpose of which is to press in the existing pile. The next step is to print and fix the image.

Advantages of the method:

  • high detailing of the picture – gradient transitions are easily performed, the necessary contrast is observed;
  • sufficient resistance of the print to wear and ultraviolet – with manual care or gentle machine wash;
  • favorable cost of printing small batches – from 1 unit.

Features of digital printing:

  • Preparing the dark base of the T-shirt for printing – a special primer is applied.
  • Restrictions on the presence of synthetic threads in the composition – due to the fixing of paints at high temperatures.
  • The ability to correct images for each subsequent product in the batch – it is permissible to make changes to the design before each print.

Thermal transfer printing technology

Thermal transfer technology for printing on T-shirts refers to the types of indirect application of the image to the fabric. For branding, a bright print is prepared on a special transfer paper. And under the influence of the press and high temperatures, the created logo is transferred directly to the fabric.

Advantages of thermal transfer:

  • easy creation of multi-color patterns;
  • image print speed;
  • no restrictions on the fabric and color of T-shirts.

Features of the technique:

  • requirements for the original image – vector and raster files of high resolution;
  • logo mirroring – the designer flips the picture using computer programs before sending the layout to work;
  • the impossibility of changing the design in the process of work – the entire batch is printed in the same style.

Often, technology is combined with full-color printing , using special printers for this. In this case, a full-color image is immediately printed on film, and an adhesive composition and a heat press are used for transfer. This type of printing on T-shirts is called DTF printing, and is characterized by a particularly high speed of applying a logo to the fabric. The client receives the finished order just a few minutes after the order is placed.

Flex  is also a subspecies of thermal transfer, but in this case a special thermal film is used for printing. The finished logo turns out to be exceptionally aesthetic – there is a choice of textures and effects, the ability to create metallic and tactile inserts.

What is the best quality t-shirt printing?

T-shirt printing options are very different, but it cannot be said that one technology is better than another. Techniques are selected exactly to the needs of the client – to create logos and images that are as close as possible to the prototype on the layout.

If the customer chooses cotton T-shirts, then it would be strange to recommend sublimation. It would also be illogical to use silk-screen printing if you need to cheaply apply a pattern or ornament to the fabric.

Each order begins with the execution of the terms of reference, which reflects all the wishes and requirements of the client. According to the document, the best T-shirt printing technology for a specific order is selected. It is a good practice to demonstrate T-shirt print types with examples or make starter samples to evaluate all the features of the desired and recommended type of branding.

In order for the circulation to be profitable and the image to be stable, it is better to order branding from trusted companies. Also, customers should give preference to firms with their own production workshops. Such organizations are not limited in the choice of equipment and technologies and will always print the circulation in the best way for the customer.