Custom Screen Printing

Direct to garment printing or DTG as it is sometimes known, is now emerging as an alternative to screen printing, although for short runs at present, the industry looks set to change in the coming years, streamlining distribution, warehousing and the use of less materials and shorter set up times could see a major shift towards this method of garment decoration. Although slow speeds are all that is available at present there are sound concepts for much faster single pass machines already in place. Screen printing, however, is not going to become a forgotten art, there is so much more in the way of options for texture colour and design that is still beyond a digital system, and still unexplored by screen printers themselves, the future is more choices, and more styles than ever before.

T-shirt Printing: DTG or direct to garment printing

August 14, 2008

Not ideal in all situations, and the ink can be problematic to work with at times, water based T-Shirt printing can be extremely satisfying. This month has seen a big increase in jobs produced with water based inks here in cornwall UK, some customers have even changed their original ideas to suit the process. Companies requiring Promotional t-shirts for various events this summer have been taking the greener option too, with both OKARMA and Earth Positive T-Shirts doing well.

Water based T-Shirt Printing  

August 4, 2008

20 things to know about T-shirt Printing

• They come in a wide variety of colors, just about any color.
• They come in 50/50 poly-cotton and 100% cotton.
• There are different Qualities at different prices.
• They come in sizes from toddler to 10 XL that’s 10 X’S.
• XXL and larger typically cost more than adult S-XL about 1.25 per size up.
• Youth sizes generally cost less than adult sizes.
• They are unfortunately, not always available in the style or color you wish.
• Even though it says pre-shrunk on some 100% cotton T’s they still shrink sometimes 2%-4% on average.
• Shirts are priced by color: whites the least, lights, darks the most expensive.
• Sometimes it costs more to print on dark shirts because you need a white under base.
• 50/50 T’s are typically priced less than 100% cotton T’s.
• The more you buy the less you pay.
• Common quantity breaks for screen printed t-shirts are 36, 72, 144, 288, 540 & 1000+.
• To save money make the color of the t-shirt one of the colors of the art and you can save a screen charge and reduce your run charges too.
• The weight of the t-shirts can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. A heavyweight t-shirt could be 5.6 oz. With one manufacturer and 6.1 oz with another.
• Colors will vary if you get t-shirts from different companies so be sure to order the same brand on repeat orders.
• T-shirt advertising is a great way to get your message out. Some t-shirts will be worn for years and be seen by thousands of people.
• 100% cotton t-shirts tend to be a bit softer than 50/50 t-shirts.
• 50/50 t-shirts will shrink less than 100% cotton t-shirts.
• Wash you custom printed t-shirts inside out and the printing will last longer.

Screen printing can be easy, but know what questions to ask.

Custom Screen Printed T-Shirts

February 5, 2008