The printing process is essential to making a t-shirt design a reality. Choosing the best procedure that fits your design, print colours, t-shirt material, budget, and required quantity is more important than simply slapping an image onto cloth.
Every approach requires a different set of t-shirt printing equipment. Direct to Garment (DTG) printing and screen printing are the two most often used shirt printing techniques that are identified as the best method for cheap custom t shirt printing. This blog gives an idea about printing types that are useful for creating good-looking t-shirts.
Direct to Garment (DTG) Printing
Direct to Garment (DTG) printing is a cheap custom t-shirt printing technique with the quickest rate of growth. This method prints directly onto fabric rather than paper, yet it functions similarly to a conventional paper printer.
One of DTG’s main advantages is printing soft, realistic-feeling images. The ink adheres to the fabric nicely without adding bulk. Since there are no colour constraints, intricate patterns, pictures, or logos can be seen in more than 100 colours with remarkable clarity.
Screen Printing
Screen printing, sometimes referred to as silk screen printing, is a tried-and-true method of transferring ink onto cloth using mesh screens. Professionals frequently choose it for large orders because of its affordability and longevity.
The first step in the screen printing process for t-shirts is stretching a nylon mesh screen over a wooden frame and covering the negative area with a waterproof barrier to prevent ink from leaking through. Ink is applied to the screen, and the design is transferred onto the fabric through the gaps. This process provides artistic choices, including puff printing and glitter finishes. Glow-in-the-dark patterns can also be gained by this process of printing.
Screen printing is a great choice for straightforward designs with few colours because of its heavier ink, which creates vivid, long-lasting designs. This makes it cheapcustom t shirt printing for you, which can improve the look of your t-shirt.
Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing
“Direct-to-film printing” (DTF) is a sophisticated print method that accounts for a special PET film that prints an image, sprinkles it with adhesive powder, and then heat transfers the image to fabric. DTF also provides a simpler and more efficient way to print images than Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing; DTF does not require pre-treating the garment. Printed images with DTF printing are very vibrant and can be used for complex or bold designs, as well as applied to any garment or accessory. The method can be identified as the cheapest t shirt printing Singapore.
- Create the image and use a DTF printer to print it onto PET film.
- Coat the printed film with a layer of sticky powder.
- Use a curing oven or heat press to cure the adhesive powder.
- Apply heat to the t-shirt to transfer the film design onto it.
- To see the vivid, excellent print, peel the film.
The main advantages of this printing are as follows:
- Suitable for a wide range of textiles, such as blends, polyester, and cotton.
- Creates designs that are striking and vibrant on any base colour.
- Excellent resistance to wear and tear is ensured by the prints’ placement on the fabric’s surface.
- Ideal for intricate patterns on little objects like masks, cushion covers, and t-shirts.
Final Thoughts
The design and manufacturing needs of clients are the main factor for identifying the best printing technique that will be used for your t-shirt.. Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is excellent for producing intricate, long-lasting, full-colour graphics. Because screen printing is identified as cheap custom t-shirt printing and produces effects that last, it is perfect for large orders. Using a special heat and dye vaporisation technique, dye sublimation works wonders on polyester textiles, producing vivid colours and clear graphics.