T-shirts and Caps
When choosing the t-shirt you want to print on, remember that heavier t-shirts are deemed to be better quality because of its weight. Weight is determined by thread count, therefore resultantly, the higher the thread count, the heavier the t-shirt and, consequently, the better the quality.
T-shirt printing is a great way to promote any brand, through staff wearing them as workwear/sporting functions and advertisement giveaways as promotional items. Basically put, a great marketing tool to promote your brand or company!
Different types of printing on t-shirts
Screen Printing with a T Shirt Printing Machine: this is probably the most preferred and popular method. If you possess in your cupboard a printed graphic that has retained its vibrancy and colour over the years, it is highly probable that it was screen printed. This method requires a template which is held in place the screen –usually a mesh textured application. Ink is flooded onto the screen, and the excess ink is wiped away for a smooth, clean finish. It is then cured, dried, and go! Ready to wear! A great option for large products, but not so much smaller quantities, as it is quite a costly process. The quality however, is great, and the colours are really vibrant.
(DTG) Direct To Garment Technique is relatively new in the t-shirt printing industry and involves printing directly onto your garment. Simply put, it’s a large, very expensive, flatbed printer, where you feed your t-shirt onto a ‘conveyer belt’. Print quality is brilliant, but 1 bar below screen printing!
Sublimation Printing looks like a great piece of art. Basically it’s a garment with print all over it, but this type of print does require pure polyester materials. Sublimation printing produces a high quality finish.
CAD Cut Vinyl Printing uses special software to expertly cut cloth to size – this cloth is then superimposed onto material using a heat press method. Perfect for when you need masses of one type of garment with slogans/words in one or many vibrant colours. Print will never fade or crack.
Originally used to add decorative detail to earthenware products, the idea is to transfer images from one surface to another. The Transfer Paper Method is a process using transfer paper and a heat press machine and pressure to permanently set an image on your garment. Using this technique assures you of a high quality and sophisticated design.
Caps – are not only a great way to hide a bad hair day 😉 they’re a purposeful and convenient marketing tool for companies. They are very popular for sporting events. They make perfect gifts and sponsorship items – branding on these sun-blocking accessories is huge!
Multicolour screen printing on a dark hats requires the use of high-density inks especially made for printing on dark colours. Basically a primer is applied twice, followed by the colour needed for the artwork.
The ‘primer’ or undercoat is flash cured before any other colours are printed over it, effectively sealing the cap. Using the undercoat or underbase ensures a bright finish, but care should be taken on amounts. There is the risk of peeling, when applying the undercoat – as some level of expertise is required in application. The underbase treatment involves a method called ‘choking’, affecting the completed image. Where designers are dealing with caps that have a curved surface, a special technique is employed. With newer, more advanced technology, the previous challenges, such as printing over the centre seam, with hat printing, are no more.
Pricing on bulk hat printing is attractive, making them a go-to promotional item. Caps are a promotional must!
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