What is the best printing process for a personalised T-shirt?
What is the difference between screen printed T-shirts and a t-shirt with a transfer print? The most notable difference is the feel of the print. Traditional screen printing methods where the ink is pushed into the material through a screen often provide a softer feel (especially when using water based inks) whereas transfer prints are applied to the material using a heat press and so they sit on the surface giving a slightly heavier feel.
Screen Printing
Each color requires its own screen so it can be time consuming to set up multiple screens.
- The Feel: The ink (usually plastisol or water-based) sinks into the fibers. It feels "part of the shirt" and remains breathable.
- The Durability: A well-made screen-printed shirt will likely outlast the fabric of the shirt itself.
- The Cost: High setup fees make it expensive for small orders, but it becomes incredibly cheap as you scale up to 100, 500, 1000 units.
Transfer Printing
Transfer printing involves printing the design onto a paper or film and then using a heat press to transfer that design onto the t-shirt. This includes DTF (Direct to Film), Vinyl, and Sublimation.
- The Feel: Since the design sits on top of the fabric, it can feel heavier and have a more plastic feel. However, modern DTF transfers are becoming incredibly thin and soft.
- The Durability: Good, but not eternal. Over years of high-heat drying, transfers can eventually crack or peel.
- The Cost: Minimal setup. Ideal for smaller orders 10 to 25.
T-shirt material types.
The option of either a screen print, or transfer print can also depend on the type of material it is being applied to. A screen print is often the best method for printing onto breathable fabrics like performance T-shirts and polyester wicking materials as it doesn’t affect the breathability of the garment. Cotton T-shirts are a good option for both printing methods although if the design is to cover a large area of the shirt it’s
generally better to screen print if possible.
Bulky Garments
Large and bulky garments like motorway jackets, or bodywarmers often need to be personalised using a transfer print as they could either melt, or be difficult to pass through a tunnel drier. The surface area of the garment is also difficult to hold down so these are flattened using a heat press to remove any creases in the fabric before applying the heat transfer.
Listed below are products popular with screen print:
- Printed Tote bags.
- Promotional T-shirts.
- Technical running T-shirts for events.
These can be extremely cost effective with single colour prints, and ordered in bulk quantities.
Take a look at our screen printing page here:
Garments often printed with a transfer print would include:
- Hi Viz vests.
- Hoodies
- Jackets
Take a look at our transfer printing page here: