How to print T-shirts

When the plan to make your own printed T-shirts was born in your head, many questions came along with it. If you are planning to make your t-shirts for the first time, you will need support. We come to help and tell you how t shirt printing in Dallas is performed by us and what to pay special attention to when placing an order.

How to make T-shirt prints and not go crazy

At first it seems very complicated. However, you will see for yourself that after getting acquainted with the offer, possibilities, marking methods, it will be much easier for you. In addition, each order placed in Reflect is supervised by a consultant who will carry out each subsequent order with you. He will certainly advise, help in choosing clothes or marking and check the compatibility of your graphics.

It’s time to list the tasks you need to complete before you start placing your T-shirt printing order .

T-shirt printing, what do you need?

1. Surely you already know what the purpose of these t-shirts will be. Therefore, taking this into account, you need to choose the right clothes. Whether it’s t-shirts for an event or maybe for employees, or for your clothing store, choose the right material and grammage.
2. If you have already prepared graphics for marking, it is necessary to check which method you will choose to mark your T-shirts. In the next part, we will introduce you to each of the marking methods available at Reflect, and for now we will tell you what to pay special attention to. One of the basic guidelines for choosing marking is primarily graphics. It happens that some projects can be made only by certain methods, and sometimes doing one and the other will be much more advantageous in terms of price. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the planned volume of the order. Some marking methods are profitable up to 20 pieces of one pattern. If you do not have experience in this matter yet, please consult our Customer Service Office, we will help you choose the right method and tell you what to look for in a specific project.
3. Once you’ve chosen your clothing and branding method, it’s time to place your order. Save your file in a format suitable for the selected method and write us a message. When ordering, be sure to specify the sizes and colors of the T-shirts. Specify the method of packaging and shipping address. After receiving the order, the consultant will issue an invoice for you and send the visualization for approval. 

As you can see, placing orders does not have to be difficult at all. After assembling the first one, the next ones will be much easier

Printing on T-shirts – available marking methods

In this section, we want to introduce you to the available marking methods. How to print t-shirts in a safe and cheap way? Check what we have to offer!

In the Reflect offer, you can make prints on T-shirts  with as many as 8 marking methods. We have available:

• screen printing,
• thermal transfer,
• DTG digital printing,
• computer embroidery,
• Sublimation,
• latex foil,
• flex foil,
• flock foil,

Each of these methods differs from each other – some in the method of application, method of preparation, requirements – in terms of files or clothing material. The price also varies. Some are profitable from one piece, others from 20 or 50 pieces. Some methods will be better for t-shirts in bulk, others for sportswear, and others for caps.

What are the methods of marking on T-shirts?

Marking methods are divided into two categories – direct and indirect . Direct methods are those that apply the print directly to the garment. These methods include – screen printing, digital printing and computer embroidery. Indirect printing is a marking method that is performed on clothing in stages – printed on special foils, tracing paper and then printed on the material. Indirect methods are – sublimation, flex foil, flock, latex and thermal transfer. What are the characteristics of these methods?

Direct methods:

Screen printing  – a popular method with a long tradition. Prints made on a screen printing machine using special paints are very durable and effective. This method requires a special preparation room and is profitable from about 20-30 pieces. The file for printing is required in vectors, saved in real size. We choose the colors from the PANTONE Solid Coated palette. The ideal method for large volumes. Very durable – with the use of appropriate methods of washing clothes with a print, it will last us for about 150 washes.

Digital printing – a modern and popular method of printing. It involves direct spraying of ink onto clothing using special printers, thus creating beautiful and detailed prints. This method does not require prepress, so it is profitable from just one piece. Perfect for individual or personalized orders. Perfect for photo printing. The file for printing can be prepared in a high-quality bitmap – at least 300 dpi, with the actual size. The colors of the graphics are CMYK. With proper washing, it will last us about 100-150 washes.

Computer embroidery – another method with a long tradition. Embroidery has been known to us for years and is associated with elegance. With this method, we will make beautiful embroidery, created using special machines. Perfect for labeling company shirts. The method requires a prepress shop and its cost-effective cost is about 30 pieces of one pattern. Prepare the file for printing in vectors – you can choose the color of the embroidery from our thread color palette. The method is practically indestructible, it can only be damaged mechanically.

Indirect methods:

Sublimation – this is a printing method that uses the phenomenon of sublimation. Graphics are printed on special tracing paper, which are then applied to clothing using high-temperature industrial work. Sublimation can only be done on polyester materials or those with a special polyester coating. You need a high-quality bitmap for printing. Color jobs can only be printed on light-colored materials. We will only print black on colored products. It pays for one piece. This method is practically indestructible. Imperceptible to the touch print is perfect for sportswear.

Flex and flock foil  – is a printing method performed with the use of special plotters and heated onto clothing using an industrial press. Plotters cut the print from special foils in one color. We have flex films available in standard colors or those with a special effect (e.g. glitter or reflective). On the other hand, the flock foil is a foil with a fluff, available in several color variants. You need a vector file to print. You can choose the color of the print from our foil color palette. Foils are profitable from one piece. Durability is estimated at about 500 washes.

Latex foil – it is a multi-colored print made on foil and applied to clothing using a press. It is perfect for colorful graphics, but it is not very flexible and does not let air through, so we recommend making smaller projects. Cost-effective from one piece. The life of the print is estimated at about 100 washes, with proper washing methods for clothes with a print.

Thermal transfer  – is a method very similar to screen printing. It is called indirect screen printing. Prints are made using a screen printing machine on special tracing paper with glue. Applied later on clothing using a press. It is ideal for marking products that cannot be marked with screen printing. Cost-effective from about 20 pieces. You need to prepare vectors for printing. Durability is estimated at about 100 washes.