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Different Printing Methods to Create Custom Apparel
There are a variety of methods available to obtain custom apparel for events, teams, businesses, organizations, fundraisers, and more. The most suitable method will depend on several factors such as the quantity needed, type of garment desired, number of colors in the design, and time frame required. Below are some potential options:
Screen Printing
This method involves using screens to transfer ink onto the fabric and is best suited for larger orders for its speed and efficiency.
Advantages:
Vibrant colors
High quality image
Durability
Cost effective for large quantity orders
Disadvantages:
Higher set-up cost when compared to other methods
Requires a minimum quantity order
Multiple colors require multiple screens, adding to the set-up cost making small quantities more expensive
Shading and Many Colors
Machine Embroidery
Embroidery is the art of applying designs onto fabric using a needle and thread. Machine embroidery is accurate and designs can be produced with perfect symmetry giving an aesthetic appealing image making the work look elegant.
The benefit of using custom embroidery for a company team apparel can benefit the business in many ways and provide a significant return on the investment as it remains timeless and a popular way to brand apparel.
Advantages:
Durable
Long-lasting color
Suited for Hard-To-Print-On Materials
More colors at no extra cost
Quality look
Ideal for logos
Disadvantages:
Not suited for some designs
Limited to size
Direct to Garment Printing (DTG)
Direct-to-garment, or DTG, is a printing method that adds the ink onto the garment. The ink then soaks into the fibers of the garment. It is precise and a method that allows printing images in higher detail with no limit to colors. The ink remains solid and is embedded into the fabric of the shirt.
Advantages:
Full color high detail printing
Preserves the soft feel of the garment
Single shirts can be produced easily
Disadvantages:
In comparison to Screen Printing for large orders, this process is slow
Not all DTG Printers are able to print white ink or on polyester material
Transfers
Two main techniques employed for heat transfer are:
1. Utilizing a heat press to apply custom vinyl cut designs onto shirts.
2. Printing the design onto transfer paper using ink, followed by heat pressing it onto the fabric of the shirt.
Advantages:
Small quantity runs allow customers to get their items faster
Great for numbering and names
Photo prints can be transferred in full color
Disadvantages:
Heat sensitive fabrics cannot be used
Heat pressed vinyl can possibly crack after several runs in the dryer
Prints are stiff, making the fabric firm
Prints appear best on light-colored t-shirts
Future of Custom Apparel and Garment Printing
There are new technologies coming out to increase the quality, speed, or feel for any of these methods. Recently, the heat press industry has been able to start selling full-color transfer at fairly reasonable prices. This allows customers that would like many colors but did not want to spend a lot of setup charges to get their t-shirt with their design on it for a lower cost.
There are also always innovation efforts to make the screen printing method more efficient, consistent, and durable. For example, new dryers or automatic screen printing methods have changed the industry for the better.
As a custom apparel product company we keep up with the industry news and all of the new innovations going on to be able to provide the best quality products for our customers. If you or your team is in need of t-shirts, apparel, promotional products, signs, business cards, or more.
Please contact me at tshirtman713@gmail.com or 713-714-6826.