Best 7 Types Of Shirt Printing

You don’t need to spend thousands of hours trying to find the RIGHT types of shirt printing.

I’m a seasoned eCommerce entrepreneur and enthusiast. I’ve spent the last decade testing dozens of shirt printing techniques. And I’ll show the BEST for your business. So, you can start generating hundreds of thousands of dollars for your business.

This is the only guide you’ll EVER need, and it’s 100% FREE.

I’ve covered 7  T-shirt Printing techniques every TOP-SELLER out there is using. Their benefits and shortcomings. Also, I’ll show you how to create designs that ACTUALLY sell.

Ready? Let’s jump right in…

types of shirt printing

7 Best T-shirt Printing Methods

7 Best T-shirt Printing Methods

Want to live your WILDEST dreams? Here are printing techniques to help you achieve that:

1. Screen Printing

Screen Printing

Screen printing (also silkscreen printing) is one of the BEST t-shirt printing techniques.

I’ll get to that in a bit, but first…

Here’s how it works:

Three things you need: stencil – used as a template. Squeegee to paste your designs on the t-shirt. And a mesh screen.

The process is very very very simple; you can do it in your basement.

Start by creating a stencil design. Place it under a mesh screen. Carefully apply the ink. Use the squeegee to ensure it perfectly blends into the fabric.

Clean the EXCESS ink and leave the shirt to dry for a few minutes.

BAM- you’ve just made your first screen-printed shirt.

For businesses aiming to expand, opting for wholesale screen printing is a smart move. It enables you to create high-quality prints in bulk, which boosts your profit margins and efficiently satisfies customer demand.

Pros

  • Guarantees long-lasting and high-quality prints that attract customers. Help you build a GLOBAL customer base.
  • PERFECT for mass productions. You print in bulk and make more money for your brand.
  • Excellent for ANY fabric – polyester, cotton, YOU NAME IT.  You appeal to customers with a wide variety of tastes. Enjoy HIGH profit margins.

What I Don’t Like

  • You need a workshop. Stencil ink tends to spill all over, making a home workspace GROSS.
  • Expensive(ish) – if you only need a few screen-printed shirts.
  • LONG printing process. Hence, not suitable for a print-on-demand t-shirt business.
  • Detailed designs are a long shot. Sounds crazy, but I feel like compared to other competitors, I’m yet to show you. Screen printing doesn’t give me EXTREMELY perfect designs.

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2. Dye Sublimation or All-Over-Printing

Dye Sublimation or All-Over-Printing

I’ve been using dye sublimation for as long as I can remember. It involves transferring prints from a t-shirt transfer paper to your t-shirt. That’s how simple it is!

meme

I’m not kidding. This is one of the most SIMPLEST t-shirt printing methods.

Let me explain it in more detail.

You’ll need a heat press, release paper, inks, and a sublimation printer.

This process involves printing the design onto the release paper using a dye. (choose any color depending on your design). Use the heat press to paste the design to your t-shirt.

I like this process because of how quickly the dye dries up when in contact with the fabric.

NOTE. The dye turns to gas during heating. Once the heating is done, the T-shirt shrinks. Please, remember this! That’s because it kinda makes the process unsuitable for cotton t-shirts.

Again, it makes cotton t-shirts look blurry or dull because of their porous nature.

However, it’s PERFECT for polyester fabrics, microfiber fabrics, and lycra fabrics.

Pros

  • Quality prints that DO NOT fade over time.
  • Gives you colorful designs that BOOST your brand image.
  • Colorful designs that make your t-shirts IRRESISTIBLE in the marketplace.

What I Don’t Like

  • Inappropriate for cotton t-shirts. Just explained that already!
  • Costly than MOST t-shirt printing methods.
  • Using this method on dark fabrics is a HUGE MISTAKE. T-shirt blanks for this method are white. Hence, the dye would be HARD to see on a dark color base.

3. DTF (Direct-to-film) Printing

DTF (Direct-to-film) Printing

I believe DTF printing is one of my FAVORITE types of garment printing techniques. Ask anyone who runs a t-shirt printing business, and they’ll tell you that too.

But before we dive into why that is. Let’s first get our tools ready.

Here you’ll need a PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) film, heat, and adhesive powder.

The process is relatively simple…

1. Print your designs using a special PET film (I recommend using a water-based ink).

2. Transfer your designs using the adhesive powder.

3. Print the designs on the t-shirt/ shirt’s fabric. The heat press machine helps the PET film to peel off. So, you remain with HIGH-QUALITY prints.

EASY-PEASY!

Pros

  • High-resolution prints compared to the traditional screen printing method. Stand out from the cloud and enjoy MASSIVE profits.
  • Dye sublimation printing is cost-effective. You use one film on many T-shirts. Save more money to invest in customer acquisition costs.
  • Compatible with almost all types of fabrics. No need to rely on one type of fabric.

What I Don’t Like

  • You need to buy machines and films. Which are a bit expensive if you are cash-strapped.
  • Print feels synthetic.
  • Time-consuming as more steps are required to get PREMIUM prints.

4. DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printing

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printing

This one is for my moneyed t-shirt, eCommerce entrepreneurs.

You’ll need a DTG printer and a heat press. Though, the former is F****** EXPENSIVE.

This is a relatively modern t-shirt printing method. You can use Photoshop or Canva to create mind-boggling t-shirt designs.

Next, upload the designs to your computer. Use the DTG printer to imprint designs onto the t-shirt. Pretty simple, aye?

TAKE NOTE. A pre-treatment process is NECESSARY. To prevent the ink from soaking directly on the t-shirt. Also, you should heat the t-shirt to activate the treatment procedure.

Pros

  • Solid prints that last more than 60 washes. Improve customer satisfaction. Get as many sales as you can possibly handle.
  • Eco-friendly printing method. So, you appeal to eco-conscious buyers and increase sales TENFOLD.
  • PERFECT for multiple t-shirt production. Print t-shirts in minutes. Make loads of money for bulk orders.

What I Don’t Like

  • DTG printing is not suitable for beginner t-shirt sellers. DTG printers cost a FORTUNE!!
  • You CAN NOT print the entire t-shirt.

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5. Heat Press Printing

Heat Press Printing

Heat press printing (also known as thermal printing) is for small t-shirt businesses. Who doesn’t have a HUGE budget for SOPHISTICATED machines. But don’t want to compromise on quality.

No need for a PRICEY DTG printer. Just an inkjet printer. Tons of cheap printing papers. And a regular heat press machine.

Here’s my brief eCommerce journey story…

I started selling t-shirts in the BC days. You know, the ‘Ol basement entrepreneurs. From my weekly savings, I bought a rusty heat press appliance. And a pack of printing papers. My friend donated her inkjet printer (forever grateful).

How it works:

Print your designs on the special heat transfer paper. Then use heat and pressure to iron the designs to your fabric. FASTER than the dye sublimation method, hands down.

You get designers from Fiverr or Upwork – if you aren’t a badass artist. Or learn graphic design and use tools like Photoshop to curate KILLER sketches.

Pros

  • The thermal printing technique is simple and straightforward. You don’t need to be a professional to start printing.
  • Relatively cheap compared to other printing methods in this list. Save money to invest in other income-generating activities.
  • Ideal for small quantities. This makes it perfect if you are cash-strapped. You don’t have thousands of dollars to buy sophisticated machines.

What I Don’t Like

  • I noticed the designs were very poor. Especially on dark clothing.
  • Avoid using the t-shirt printing technique on heat-sensitive fabrics.

6. Plastisol Printing

Plastisol Printing

This is the most commonly used shirt printing method in the t-shirt printing industry.

You need two tools:

  1. Transfer sheets
  2. Heat press

Just like in the screen printing process. You’ll need the same plastisol ink.

I paid a long-time friend a visit to his factory to learn about this printing technique. And it’s actually SIMPLE than you could imagine.

The designs are first printed on the plastisol transfer sheet using ink. Next, the sheet is heat-pressed to the clothing to stamp the designs.

NOTE. Imprint your designs on the transfer sheet beforehand. So, you create shirt prints at ANY TIME. You save time and the hustle of printing designs during the actual production.

Pros

  • TOP-QUALITY prints that last for decades. That way, you improve customer satisfaction. And set the ground for repeated, profitable sales.
  • No ink spillage compared to conventional screen printing. Hence, you print designs in front of a live audience.

What I Don’t Like

  • Not beginner-friendly. You need a bit of professional knowledge to ensure bold & colorful designs.
  • Not suitable for bulk orders. Since it has more steps rendering the process much SLOWER

7. Embroidery

Embroidery

I saved the best for last.

This is also a GREAT way to make stylish designs for your shirts. This is a more DURABLE way to embellish prints. We’ll see that in a bit…

Embroidery doesn’t employ the use of a high-quality printer, Instead, you’ll need a sewing machine.

You also need to adhere to design requirements. If you want to actually make designs that sell.  These requirements include stitch count, thread colors, digitization, and SO MUCH MORE.

Pros

  • 100% DURABLE. Embroidered designs tend to last longer. You gain a competitive edge and skyrocket your t-shirt business.
  • Eco-friendly since no dyes are involved. Help you to attract eco-conscious buyers and become the go-to seller.

What I Don’t Like

  • Professional skills are required.
  • Costly compared to other shirt printing methods.

Next up…

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Tips for Creating Killer T-shirt Designs

Tips for Creating Killer T-shirt Designs

Here are 3 industry secrets to creating mind-blowing t-shirt designs:

Deeply Understanding Your Target Audience

I emphasize this in all my guides on starting an eCommerce business. If there’s anything you should take home today. Then it’s DEFINITELY this!!

Here are 2 key reasons why you need to identify your ideal customer:

  • Helps you understand their preference. These include tiny details like colors, design styles, or trends. For me – I knew my audience likes colorful designs from day one. So, I ditched heat transfer printing and dived into DTG printing.
  • Budget Considerations. This is also very CRUCIAL. Understanding my target customer’s willingness to spend. Helps me choose an AFFORDABLE shirt printing technique.

…and that’s not even an exhaustive list.

You learn a whole lot of other things about customization techniques. Quality expectations in the competitive marketplace.

Play Around With Colors

Don’t be afraid to bring out that creative B**** inside you.

Mess around with different color variations. Say, blending contrasting colors or contemporary ones. You’ll be shocked at what you can create.

Oh, and also, don’t be afraid to hire a creative designer for artistic designs. I get it – not everybody is a design ninja (I try, guys, honestly!)

EXPERT TIP. However, don’t just throw colors aimlessly. Take note of the psychology of colors. For example, warmer colors e.g., red, orange, and yellow, evoke energy. Whereas cool colors bring about calmness.

So, choose colors that align DIRECTLY with your brand. To explode your sales and increase your profit margins 10X.

Identify Trends

I’m ALWAYS finding new trends. That’s what keeps my eCommerce empire alive.

Finding new trends helps me understand the latest design styles. That way, I’m able to choose the RIGHT technique to bring world-class designs.

Again, this gives me insight into fabric requirements. I’ve recently picked up eco-friendly fabrics since sustainability is now HUGE.

People Also Ask about Types Of Shirt Printing

1. Can I print T-shirts at home? And if so, what are the best printing methods?

Yes, 100%. You can choose between screen printing, heat transfer printing, and dye sublimation. 

Each method has its own pros and cons. So, depending on your budget, fabric, and design requirements. You can select the BEST fit for you.

2. Which is the most durable printing technique?

Screen printing tends to be the MOST long-lasting screen printing technique. Just remember to use high-quality paints.

3. Are there eco-friendly t-shirt printing options?

Direct-to-garment (DTG) is my favorite eco-friendly t-shirt printing method. It involves the use of water-based inks. Which are environmentally friendly.

4. What is the best fabric for printing t-shirts?

100% Cotton.
It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED because of its:
Softness
Breathability
Ability to bring our colorful designs
Cotton is also compatible with other printing methods, such as heat press printing. And DTG printing.

What’s Next

So there you have it. I went Albert Einstein and tested EVERY printing technique on this list. So, you can make the RIGHT decision.

I won’t lie to you that there is a “better” printing technique than the other. 

So, without mincing my words, allow me to reiterate a few key points:

Screen printing is PERFECT for long-lasting prints. Also, its the most AFFORDABLE for mass production of t-shirts.

DTG printing is a BEAST when it comes to creating colorful designs. Especially on cotton fabrics. Just that it’s rather costly for bulk orders.

Dye sublimation is the go-to technique for all-over prints. Again, it’s ideal for polyester fabrics.

So, which will you choose?

Not sure which to pick? Or do you want to launch your t-shirt printing business? Don’t worry! Reach out to us. Our team will contact you SHORTLY.

We’ll guide you through creating a six-figure t-shirt printing business. Show you how to skyrocket sales by attracting the LARGER market.

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Sharline

Article by:

Sharline Shaw

Hey I'm Sharline, the founder of Leeline Sourcing. With 10 years of experience in the field of sourcing in China, we help 2000+ clients import from China,Alibaba,1688 to Amazon FBA or shopify. If you have any questions about sourcing , pls feel free to contact us.