{"id":12730,"date":"2024-03-28T13:29:57","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T13:29:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/?p=12730"},"modified":"2024-05-28T21:23:43","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T21:23:43","slug":"how-to-print-a-t-shirt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/how-to-print-a-t-shirt","title":{"rendered":"How to print on a T-shirt: A step-by-step guide to T-shirt printing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re looking to promote an exciting new brand or want to outfit your family for Instagram photo ops at a family reunion, there\u2019s always a good reason to print your own custom T-shirt. Yes, you probably already own a large collection of comfortable, versatile tees. But, there\u2019s always room for more, so why not make your own?<\/p>\n<p>In this step-by-step T-shirt print guide, we\u2019ll review the ins and outs of printing a T-shirt, including determining your quantity and budget, selecting a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/types-of-printing\">printing method<\/a>, and choosing the right fabric. We\u2019re here to get you on your way to printing your new favourite tee for friends, family or business!<\/p>\n<h2>Step 1: Get a design<\/h2>\n<p>You can\u2019t print a T-shirt without a great design. So make sure you\u2019ve got a design that tells your story, fits your brand or just looks really cool. Start by asking yourself what you want your shirt to say about you or your brand. Who&#8217;s the target group you&#8217;re trying to appeal to? Take your time creating a design that reflects your brand identity, whether it features an illustration, a logo, a slogan or a combination of all three.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s crucial that you spend some time to make sure your T-shirt design is perfect before you move on to printing. Does it have the right proportions? Do the colours work well together? Is the text legible?<\/p>\n\n<figure data-id=\"203177\" id=\"mediaattachment_203177\"  class=\"figure--full\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-12730 wp-image-203177 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/v1711121499\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/attachment_109283827-e1565275466234\/attachment_109283827-e1565275466234.png?_i=AA\" alt=\"Young woman wearing a T-shirt with a fun breakfast design\" width=\"814\" height=\"1024\">    <p><em>A cute breakfast T-shirt design by <a  href=\"https:\/\/99designs.com\/profiles\/3418861\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-track-click data-track-hover >Alice Z.<\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p>Also remember that your design needs to work with whatever T-shirt colour you choose: A design with dark colours won&#8217;t show up well on a dark blue or black T-shirt. So, if you know you want to print on black T-shirts, your design needs to use lighter colours and vice versa.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t have a design yet? Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/how-to-design-t-shirts\">ultimate guide to T-shirt design<\/a>, which covers everything you need to know to design a T-shirt you\u2019ll love. You&#8217;ll learn how to pick the right style, imagery, colours and typography, so you&#8217;ll end up with the perfect T-shirt design.<\/p>\n<p>Pro tip: Working with a professional designer, like using one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/design\">VistaPrint&#8217;s design services<\/a>, is the easiest way to get a stellar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/clothing-bags\/t-shirts\">T-shirt design<\/a> that is guaranteed to look amazing on the finished printed shirt.<\/p>\n<h2>Step 2: Know your quantity and budget<\/h2>\n<p>Before you get too deep into the printing process, identify your estimated quantity and budget. As with any type of printing, ordering a large quantity will likely reduce the cost per item. Ordering in bulk is a smart plan, especially if you\u2019ll be selling the shirts.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to quantity, identify which sizes you\u2019ll need and how many of each. If you\u2019re printing merchandise shirts, keep in mind that some sizes are more popular than others, but it\u2019s always important to have an inclusive range. Depending on your manufacturer, certain sizes can be pricier than others.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-12730 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"974\" height=\"900\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_974,h_900,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122024\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414.jpeg?_i=AA\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13233\" alt=\"Man wearing a grey T-shirt with a music design\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13233\" data-format=\"jpeg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1711122024\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_974,h_900,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122024\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414.jpeg?_i=AA 974w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_783,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122024\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414.jpeg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_598,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122024\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414.jpeg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_413,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122024\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414.jpeg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_229,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122024\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414\/attachment_102786347-e1565699887414.jpeg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 974px) 100vw, 974px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13233'>\n\t\t\t\tT-shirt design by <a href=\"https:\/\/99designs.com\/profiles\/noodlemie\" rel=\"nofollow\">noodlemie<\/a> via 99designs by Vista.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1200\" height=\"1110\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1200,h_1110,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122029\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699.jpg?_i=AA\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13235\" alt=\"Black T-shirt with orange and grey design\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13235\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1711122029\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1200,h_1110,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122029\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699.jpg?_i=AA 1200w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_969,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122029\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_784,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122029\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_599,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122029\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_414,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122029\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_229,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122029\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699\/5697f3bf-9766-4052-a87a-52d9d1cf0047-e1565699920699.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13235'>\n\t\t\t\tT-shirt design by <a href=\"https:\/\/99designs.com\/profiles\/mercidsgn\" rel=\"nofollow\">merci dsgn<\/a> via 99designs by Vista.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Having your quantity and budget set in stone is an essential step towards narrowing down your printing method. Some methods are ideal for printing in bulk. Others have a higher cost per shirt and are better for small orders.<\/p>\n<h3>How much does T-shirt printing cost?<\/h3>\n<p>Printing a single T-shirt usually costs between \u00a310 and \u00a330, depending mostly on the thread count. Printing in bulk typically brings the cost per shirt down, to anywhere between \u00a35 and \u00a310. Prices for T-shirt printing vary depending on the printing technique you&#8217;re using, the quality of the plain T-shirts you&#8217;re printing on and the quantity you&#8217;re ordering. You can get big discounts on bulk orders.<\/p>\n<h2>Step 3: Choose your printing method<\/h2>\n<p>When it comes to printing a T-shirt and deciding on the right method, differences in cost, appearance, production time and materials will all come into play. Let\u2019s cover these important details with three popular printing techniques:<\/p>\n<h3>Screen printing<\/h3>\n<p>Screen-printed tees can be made by hand or by machine. Either way, this method is the gold standard for T-shirt printing. The printer will make original screens of your T-shirt design, allowing you to print in bulk.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-12730 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1199\" height=\"800\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1199,h_800,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122031\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774.jpg?_i=AA\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13237\" alt=\"Screen printing illustration\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-13237\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1711122031\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1199,h_800,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122031\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774.jpg?_i=AA 1199w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_699,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122031\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_565,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122031\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_432,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122031\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_298,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122031\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_165,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122031\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774\/SILK-SCREEN-e1555419023774.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1199px) 100vw, 1199px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-13237'>\n\t\t\t\tScreen printing\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/fwd_water-based_printing-e1555418988373\/fwd_water-based_printing-e1555418988373.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_600,h_400,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122033\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/fwd_water-based_printing-e1555418988373\/fwd_water-based_printing-e1555418988373.jpg?_i=AA\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13239\" alt=\"Example of screen printing a yellow design onto a beige T-shirt\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-13239\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1711122033\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_600,h_400,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122033\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/fwd_water-based_printing-e1555418988373\/fwd_water-based_printing-e1555418988373.jpg?_i=AA 600w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_298,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122033\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/fwd_water-based_printing-e1555418988373\/fwd_water-based_printing-e1555418988373.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_165,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122033\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/fwd_water-based_printing-e1555418988373\/fwd_water-based_printing-e1555418988373.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-13239'>\n\t\t\t\tVia <a href=\"https:\/\/www.caliprints.com\/screen-printing\">CaliPrints<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Screen printing is reliable, affordable and high-quality. This method is ideal for large orders.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong> A new screen is required for every new colour or design revision. Colourful designs end up being pricey.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for bulk orders and printing bright colours on dark shirts.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Vinyl graphics<\/h3>\n<p>T-shirts with vinyl graphics are created through transfer printing. The result is a different look and texture from screen printing\u2014one that feels bolder and more dimensional. Vinyl is often considered to be more durable than ink.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-12730 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1200,h_1200,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122035\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792.jpg?_i=AA\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13241\" alt=\"Transfer printing with vinyl graphics\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-13241\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1711122035\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1200,h_1200,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122035\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792.jpg?_i=AA 1200w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_1048,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122035\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_848,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122035\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_648,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122035\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_448,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122035\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_248,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122035\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792\/TRANSFER-e1509743481792.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-13241'>\n\t\t\t\tVinyl graphics\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"750\" height=\"750\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_750,h_750,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122037\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534.jpg?_i=AA\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13243\" alt=\"Gold vinyl graphics transferred onto a black T-shirt\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-13243\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1711122037\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_750,h_750,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122037\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534.jpg?_i=AA 750w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_648,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122037\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_448,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122037\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_248,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122037\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534\/vinyl-for-t-shirt-printing-4-e1509743515534.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-13243'>\n\t\t\t\tVia BlueMaize\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong> The bright colours and durable materials work best for T-shirt designs that you really want to stand out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong> Much like screen printing, each additional colour adds to the cost. Because each graphic must be transferred shirt by shirt, vinyl printing is not a great option for large orders.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for simple graphics and short-run orders that include basic shapes and\/or text-based designs.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Direct-to-garment<\/h3>\n<p>Direct-to-garment (or DTG) printing is a newer option that uses inkjet printers. This method sprays ink onto the garment\u2014like inkjet printing on paper, but with fabric.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-12730 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1200,h_1200,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122039\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212.jpg?_i=AA\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13245\" alt=\"Direct to garment printing\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-13245\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1711122039\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1200,h_1200,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122039\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212.jpg?_i=AA 1200w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_1048,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122039\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_848,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122039\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_648,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122039\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_448,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122039\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_248,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122039\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212\/DIRECT-TO-GARMENT-e1509743368212.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-13245'>\n\t\t\t\tDirect-to-garment\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1440\" height=\"1440\" data-public-id=\"ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/11-e1509743389408\/11-e1509743389408.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1440,h_1440,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122026\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/11-e1509743389408\/11-e1509743389408.jpg?_i=AA\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13247\" alt=\"A close of a direct to garment printing detail on a detail\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-13247\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1711122026\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1440,h_1440,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122026\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/11-e1509743389408\/11-e1509743389408.jpg?_i=AA 1440w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1248,h_1248,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122026\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/11-e1509743389408\/11-e1509743389408.jpg?_i=AA 1248w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1048,h_1048,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122026\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/11-e1509743389408\/11-e1509743389408.jpg?_i=AA 1048w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_848,h_848,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122026\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/11-e1509743389408\/11-e1509743389408.jpg?_i=AA 848w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_648,h_648,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122026\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/11-e1509743389408\/11-e1509743389408.jpg?_i=AA 648w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_448,h_448,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122026\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/11-e1509743389408\/11-e1509743389408.jpg?_i=AA 448w, https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_248,h_248,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1711122026\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-gb\/11-e1509743389408\/11-e1509743389408.jpg?_i=AA 248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-13247'>\n\t\t\t\tVia Printaura\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong> The DTG method allows for highly customisable designs with intricate detail and many colour choices. Bring on the colour!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong> This works best for shirts in small batches. The more you\u2019re printing, the less viable it becomes. Also, dark-coloured garments are a no-go.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for small-quantity orders that require high amounts of detail.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Step 4: Find a printer<\/h2>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve settled on your design, budget and printing method, it\u2019s time to find a printer. There are many options to choose from (both locally and online), so we recommend taking the time to explore the possibilities. If you\u2019re printing locally, request samples of actual, finished shirts, not just design images. Most printing companies love visitors! Stop by their shop to see and feel their work.<\/p>\n\n<figure data-id=\"203514\" id=\"mediaattachment_203514\"  class=\"figure--full\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-12730 wp-image-203514 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/v1704432148\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-us\/attachment_109995677-e1565700648287\/attachment_109995677-e1565700648287.jpeg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Young man wearing a black T-shirt with a fishing design with jumping fish\" width=\"987\" height=\"1047\">    <p><em>The right printer needs to offer the printing technique that makes your design look its best. T-shirt design by <a  href=\"https:\/\/99designs.com\/profiles\/diwaz\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-track-click data-track-hover >diwaz<\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p>If you decide to go with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/\">online printing company<\/a>, read reviews of previous customers and give their customer support a call to see if they&#8217;re the right fit for your project and printing needs.<\/p>\n<p>As you select your printer, always keep your timeline in mind to make sure you can have the order ready in time. For an online order, remember to factor in the printing time as well as the delivery time.<\/p>\n<p>The following factors will influence which printer to choose:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>printing techniques they offer and whether they work for your design<\/li>\n<li>cost for plain T-shirts plus printing<\/li>\n<li>printing time<\/li>\n<li>T-shirt cuts, sizes, materials and colours they offer<\/li>\n<li>quantities you can order<\/li>\n<li>support and proof options<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Step 5: Choose a fabric and shirt type<\/h2>\n<p>Plain and simple: a T-shirt should be comfortable. Keep this in mind as you explore fabric options for your new design.<\/p>\n\n<figure data-id=\"203518\" id=\"mediaattachment_203518\"  class=\"figure--full\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-12730 wp-image-203518 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/v1704432146\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-us\/attachment_85986256\/attachment_85986256.jpeg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Young man wearing a white T-shirt with a design of an otter with headphones and laptop\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2000\">    <p><em>The white short-sleeve crew neck is a classic, fail-safe choice. T-shirt design by <a  href=\"https:\/\/99designs.com\/profiles\/konstantinkostenko\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-track-click data-track-hover >Konstantin Kostenko<\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p>An incredibly popular option is 100% cotton. It\u2019s versatile, easy to wear and even easier to wash. For a softer and more breathable alternative, try a 50% polyester and 50% cotton blend, a crowd favourite and often cheaper than pure cotton.<\/p>\n<p>Work with your printer to determine which fabrics will work with your quantity and budget.<br>In addition to selecting a fabric, you\u2019ll need to settle on a shirt type.<\/p>\n\n<figure data-id=\"203434\" id=\"mediaattachment_203434\"  class=\"figure--full\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-12730 wp-image-203434 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/v1704432167\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-us\/Kinds-of-shirts\/Kinds-of-shirts.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"illustration of different types and cuts of t-shirts\" width=\"930\" height=\"610\">    <p><em>There are so many different styles, types and cuts out there. Pick the one that works best for your audience.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p>Think about your audience and intended goals before deciding on the right type of T-shirt. What&#8217;s the style and cut your target group would like best? What colours will they prefer? When and where do you want them to wear it? When in doubt, go with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/clothing-bags\/t-shirts\/short-sleeve-t-shirts\">short-sleeve<\/a> crew neck in white, black or grey. It\u2019s a fail-safe bet.<\/p>\n<h2>Step 6: Submit your files<\/h2>\n<p>When the prep&#8217;s ready, you\u2019ll need to send your design files to your printer. Communicate directly with your printer and ask them about specific file types, colour requirements and file sizes. Ask in advance in order to avoid any miscommunication down the road. Relay this information to your designer so they can supply you with your final files.<\/p>\n\n<figure data-id=\"203522\" id=\"mediaattachment_203522\"  class=\"figure--full\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-12730 wp-image-203522 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/v1704432139\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/en-us\/attachment_72256186-e1565700247567\/attachment_72256186-e1565700247567.png?_i=AA\" alt=\"t-shirt design with octopus with headphones and sound equipment\" width=\"2039\" height=\"912\">    <p><em>Make sure you submit your design files in vector format so your shirt turns out the way it should. T-shirt design by <a  href=\"https:\/\/99designs.com\/profiles\/xzequteworx\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-track-click data-track-hover >XZEQUTEWORX\u2122<\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h3>What is the right file format for T-shirt printing?<\/h3>\n<p>You will need to submit your<b> T-shirt design in vector format.<\/b> This will likely be an AI, PDF or EPS file. Any of these formats will work, but if you&#8217;re unsure which one to send to your printer, choose a PDF since it&#8217;s the most versatile. Your designer will provide you with a file in one or several of these formats (depending on the program your design was created in, such as Adobe Illustrator or InDesign etc.). You\u2019ll need a separate file for each T-shirt design you\u2019re creating.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, you might need the specific colour codes, if your printer does custom colours. Make sure you have the <strong>Pantone or CMYK colour codes<\/strong> so that everything turns out looking like you want.<\/p>\n<h2>Step 7: Check your proof<\/h2>\n<p>A printer should always send you a proof before a shirt gets printed, especially if you&#8217;re placing a bulk order. This can be a digital proof or a test print of the shirt itself. This is your last chance to make any changes, so review it very carefully. Check the words, the numbers, the colours, the alignment&#8230;everything!<\/p>\n<p>When reviewing, it can be helpful to show the proof to an impartial third party who will provide a fresh perspective on any potential errors.<\/p>\n<h2>Step 8: Get your shirts!<\/h2>\n<p>Once your shirts have been printed, pick them up and do one final check. Ensure that you\u2019re satisfied with the end product and thank your printer for the hard work. If possible, leave a review about your experience. Now enjoy your amazing new shirts!<\/p>\n<h2>You\u2019re teed up for the perfect T-shirt printing<\/h2>\n<p>We\u2019ve covered it all, from quantity and budget to T-shirt printing methods and finding the right fabric. Now, it\u2019s time for you to get started! Identify your goals and get down to business.<\/p>\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-design-cta-block\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-design-cta-block swan swan-custom-cta-block px-6 swan-py-4 section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-3 swan-display-flex span-justify-center\">\n            <div class=\"swan-mr-4\">\n                <div class=\"swan-text-x3large swan-text-black swan-font-secondary swan-mb-5\">\n                    Want to get the perfect T-shirt?                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"swan-text-black swan-text-xm1 text-description\">\n                    Check out all your T-shirt options and bring your design to life today.                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n                            <div class=\"vp-custom-design-cta-block-button\">\n                    \n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/clothing-bags\/t-shirts\"\n   title=\"Tell me more\"\n   target=\"\"\n   class=\"swan-button swan-button-skin-primary\"\n    data-tracking-event=\"Navigation Clicked\" data-tracking-event-detail=\"\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12730;https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/clothing-bags\/t-shirts;Content:Text Link;Tell me more\" data-tracking-navigation-detail=\"Tell me more\">\n    Tell me more<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<p><strong>Author: Aviva M. Cantor<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re looking to promote an exciting new brand or want to outfit your family for Instagram photo ops at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":140,"featured_media":13255,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"How to Print on T-shirts: The Complete Guide | VistaPrint UK","_seopress_titles_desc":"Get the detailed T-shirt printing guidelines with this handy guide from VistaPrint. Discover\r\nexpert tips on how to determine quantity, budget, and printing method to help you get your perfect T-shirt.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-branding"],"acf":{"vp_publishing_settings_post_modified":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/140"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12730"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12730\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17449,"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12730\/revisions\/17449"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.co.uk\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}