T-shirts are undoubtedly the most popular item of clothing to be printed on. They are great for promoting an event, business, or just to wear around town. They’re also very affordable and can be produced in relatively small quantities, making them ideal for printing bulk custom t shirts.
There are two main methods of printing on a T-shirt: screen printing and direct to garment (DTG). Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but there are also plenty of variations within each method too!
Silk screen printing. This is the most common method used by screen printers today. It involves using a stencil or negative space to prevent ink from reaching certain areas of the garment. The stencil is created using a light source and a photo emulsion process that creates a transparent film, which can then be used to block light from exposing paper in the same way as it exposes film. The stencil is then placed over the shirt and ink is applied through it, creating an image on the garment’s surface.
Digital printing (direct-to-garment). D2G shirts are made using digital printing technology that allows for high quality reproductions of images, logos, and text on clothing. These shirts are typically printed with solvent-based inks that are cured after being applied to garments, much like silk screening but without the need for plates or screens.
Which T-Shirt Materials are the Best for Printing?
There are a variety of different t-shirt materials available for printing, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Each type of material has its own unique characteristics, which is why it’s important to consider the shirt’s intended use before choosing which material to print on.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most popular types of shirts, what they’re made from, and some of their pros and cons:
Cotton
Cotton is one of the oldest fibres used in clothing production, dating back thousands of years ago. Today, cotton is still one of the most popular fabrics used in clothing production because it is incredibly versatile and easy to work with. A wide range of colours can be achieved with cotton prints due to its ability to accept dye well. Cotton is also highly breathable as well as comfortable against skin; however, it can shrink if not treated properly or washed incorrectly.
Polyester
Polyester is another common fibre used in clothing production today; however, unlike cotton which washes out easily, polyester tends to retain its colour better over time if washed correctly (i.e., using cold water). Polyester is also very durable so it can withstand multiple washings without losing its colour or shape too much.
50/50 Blend
These shirts are made from a blend of 50 percent polyester and 50 percent cotton — they’re less expensive than 100 percent cotton shirts but more expensive than ones made entirely from synthetic fabrics like polyester or rayon. DTG printers don’t work well with blends because the ink can run when the shirt gets wet, but this may not be an issue if you’re planning on only doing screen-printing or heat transfers.
Conclusion
The reason this is such a hotly debated question among artists printing on T-shirts is that there are so many variables to consider. You need to take into account all of the different t-shirt materials available and then also decide which of these is best for your project. The good news is that the best t-shirt material will largely depend on what you’re planning on doing with your design. If you are still unsure about the t-shirt to print on you can check through Alibaba’s clothing line for unique custom T-shirt printing.
