Custom t-shirts have become popular because they create a great impression and make a statement of their own. Printing of custom t-shirts can be done in many different ways including screen-printing, embroidery, heat-applied graphics and digital textile printing.
There are several special printing techniques used to make that custom t-shirt stand out as different. Among the various special printing techniques used are reflective foil, as well as puff, glow in the dark, metallic, and glitter inks.
The most popular way to customize a t-shirt is by screen-printing. This usually takes 7-10 working days. This method in which ink is transferred onto t-shirts is the most complicated but also gives the best quality. It is possible to print on any color or type of shirt. However, to make it cost effective per shirt there most companies require a minimum run of at least 36. The disadvantage of this method is that it takes longer and photographs cannot be printed.
Printing by image transfer may not give the same quality of results as screen-printing but is faster and usually takes between 1-3 working days. Here a toner is applied on a sheet of coated paper through laser technology with astonishing photographic quality using high-resolution printers. The image is then pressed onto the shirt at high temperatures that melt the ink so it will bond with the fabric. While it is still hot the transfer backing is peeled off the shirt, leaving the printed image on the shirt. Image transfers are more cost effective for smaller quantities. However cotton t-shirts do not hold the transfer ink properly and therefore 50/50 polyester/cotton blended shirts are usually used. Image transfers on dark colored shirts like black, maroon or blue are not done as the image will be distorted.
Another way to customize t-shirts is by custom embroidery. This is usually used for polo shirts and button down shirts. A process called “digitizing" makes the designs for the embroidery. There are two new techniques used for this purpose - layered 3-Dd embroidery and puff 3-D embroidery. Both give similar results, using different methods.
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