{"id":4107,"date":"2024-03-07T15:17:55","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T15:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/?p=4107"},"modified":"2024-09-10T07:53:06","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T07:53:06","slug":"custom-lab-t-shirt-design-methods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/custom-lab-t-shirt-design-methods\/","title":{"rendered":"Design T-shirts with the Wordans Custom Lab!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re just about to start your new t-shirt business. You\u2019ve bought high-quality t-shirts and you\u2019re rearing to go. But you\u2019re still not entirely sure about which are the best types of t-shirt printing available to you. Or maybe you\u2019ve decided to create a heartfelt gift for a loved one and you want this to be the best gift they\u2019ve ever received.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whichever your case, this guide will walk you through the 5 best types of t-shirt printing present in today\u2019s market. We\u2019ll discuss Screen Printing, Dye Sublimation, Direct-To-Garment and Direct-To-Film and highlight the pros, cons and popular uses of each!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screen Printing (Silkscreen Printing)\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5341 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Screen-Printing.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a workshop printing t-shirts\" width=\"1160\" height=\"653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Screen-Printing.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Screen-Printing-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Screen-Printing-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Screen-Printing-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Screen-Printing-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1160px) 100vw, 1160px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Does Screen Printing Work?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The screen printing process requires 4 things: a stencil,\u00a0 a mesh screen, a straight blade (or a squeegee), and finally, your t-shirt. Screen printing is one of the most popular types of shirt printing, thanks to its ability to replicate high-quality designs in bulk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A stencil is created and then placed on the mesh screen. When the ink is poured over the stenciled design, it is pressed with a straight blade or squeegee to replicate the imprint of your desired logo\/artwork\/etc.on the chosen fabric. Finally, the product is passed through a dryer or cured with a heat press after printing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who Is It For?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screen Printing is perfect for producing large amounts of the same t-shirt<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s, thanks to being relatively swift and easy to set up. I<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">f you are creating promotional items for a trade show or team gear for a football team, this could be the perfect method for you!<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High-quality prints that are long-lasting\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost-efficient for large-volume orders<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vivid and vibrant prints are produced thanks to the printing ink absorbing deeply into the fibres.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited to a certain number of colors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not cost-effective for small batches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not suitable for detailed or intricate designs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Fabric Should I Use?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics as it easily absorbs the colours of the design. Cotton-poly blends and tri-blends are also increasing in popularity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct-To-Garment (DTG)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5330 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTG.jpg\" alt=\"An example of DTG printing\" width=\"1200\" height=\"676\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTG.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTG-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTG-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTG-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTG-1160x653.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTG-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Does Direct-To-Garment Work?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what sets this apart from the other types of t-shirt printing?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct-To-Garment does exactly what is says on the tin: the ink is applied\/sprayed directly to the t-shirt, hoodie or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blank-apparel-accessories-c37029\/sweats-fleece-s3668\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sweatshirt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of choice! In fact, the DTG method is very similar to how paper printers work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a digital file of the desired art design is uploaded, the t-shirt is prepared for printing and undergoes a pre-treatment process. Think of this like a primer before you paint your living room or even before you do your make-up! This pre-treatment solution is necessary to avoid any unwanted smudges or mixing of inks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who Is It For?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because DTG allows for one-off prints and requires lower setup costs, it\u2019s an effective method for small or local businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detailed, sharp and high-quality prints available in an array of colours.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimal set-up process<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An energy-efficient process that minimizes waste due to its print on demand (POD) suitability<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not as resistant as other techniques and washes out over time\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Owning and purchasing a DTG printer is costly. It\u2019s not a cost-effective method unless you are planning to bulk-produce your own pieces or mass-print for other retailers.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Fabric Should I Use?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ideally, 100% cotton would be used for DTG projects. Cotton-poly blends are suitable but only if the cotton count is 50% or above in order to achieve the highest-quality finish possible!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct-To-Film<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4189\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTF.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1160\" height=\"653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTF.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTF-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTF-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTF-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-DTF-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1160px) 100vw, 1160px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Does Direct-To-Film Work?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct-To-Film, or DTF, involves printing designs onto special PET film (Polyethylene Terephthalate) using aqueous inks. After being transferred to the film, the ink is then finished with an adhesive powder. Finally, the design is *transferred* onto the t-shirt or hoodie using a heat press.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike DTG, a pre-treatment is not required as the design is already printed onto the PET film. The end results in a gleaming surface, thanks to the fixing powder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who Is It For?<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its versatility is one of the main advantages!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Durable and is highly resistant to wear and tear.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Produces lively and powerful prints as the designs are placed directly on the fabric.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The print can have a plastic texture to it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not the most speedy printing process.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not as eco-conscious as DTG.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Fabric Should I Use?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DTF can be applied to a vast range of fabrics such as polyester, cotton, fleece, nylon and a number of blended fabrics.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Embroidery<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5349 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Embroidery.jpg\" alt=\"A woman embroidering a t-shirt with a machine\" width=\"1160\" height=\"653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Embroidery.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Embroidery-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Embroidery-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Embroidery-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-shirt-Embroidery-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1160px) 100vw, 1160px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Does Embroidery Work?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking for more intricate, smaller designs with a more bespoke feel, custom embroidery from Wordans is the technique for you. High-power sewing machines are digitally programmed to put logos, designs and images on your garments\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who Is It For?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Embroidery is the perfect method for anyone looking for small designs such as slogans, catchphrases and logos. With Wordan\u2019s you can order blank shirts, hoodies and accessories, and have your chosen design embroidered onto them. If you have a keen eye for detail and want custom t-shirts that match your standards, then this is the method for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Great for smaller designs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Classy, bespoke vibe<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creates intricate premium designs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heavy\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slower and more expensive than other methods<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not suitable for larger quantities of t-shirt<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Fabric Should I Use?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Embroidery can be applied to a vast range of fabrics such as polyester, cotton, fleece, nylon and a number of blended fabrics.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Right Fit: Choose The Best Type of T-Shirt Printing For You<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Screen Printing to Direct-To-Garment, there are multiple types of t-shirt printing methods available. Whether you\u2019re looking to start a business, create welcome packs for new employees or create the perfect custom gift or a memorable t-shirt for a bachelor\u2019s weekend, there\u2019s a method for everyone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We hope this blog has helped you figure out how to print t-shirts in an efficient way for your business or project!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customize your world with Wordans!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i>Feeling inspired? Good, that was our intention! Now, why not take that inspiration over to our new\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/wordans.com\/customization\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Custom Lab<\/a>\u00a0and bring your ideas to life?<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019re just about to start your new t-shirt business. You\u2019ve bought high-quality t-shirts and you\u2019re rearing to go. But you\u2019re still not entirely sure about which are the best types of t-shirt printing available to you. Or maybe you\u2019ve decided to create a heartfelt gift for a loved one and you want this to be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4187,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[644],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-customization"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4107"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4107\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7812,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4107\/revisions\/7812"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4107"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4107"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}