Custom T-Shirt Printing at Logo Depot has a few different options such as screen printing, embroidery, heat press, and wide-format. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. Hopefully, this article will give you a better idea of which option is the best for you.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is the “standard” option for t-shirts for custom t-shirt printing. Most graphic tees that are sold in stores are likely to be screen printed. Screen printing is done by applying ink to a screen (a mesh stencil) and is able to be used for printing different kinds of designs or images. Also, inks can be mixed to come up with almost any color you can think of. Screen printing is best done on flat surfaces as the ink has to be pushed through the screen onto the item. Additionally, this is a great option for bulk jobs as the most time-consuming process is in setting up the screen(s). Our minimum quantity required for screen printing is 12 shirts.
Embroidery
Embroidery uses needle and thread to put your images onto the items. The artwork is first converted to a file that the embroidery machine can read. This process is referred to as digitizing. Then you are able to pick different colors for different parts of the image. You are limited to the different thread colors that we have in stock, but we have over 50 to choose from. If we do not have the color that you need, we are capable of ordering in the thread color, unfortunately, it would be an extra charge.
Where embroidery really shines is in its ability to be used on a variety of garments and other items. Embroidery can be done on hats, polos, jackets, blankets, backpacks, tote bags, luggage and more. The only requirement is that the item needs to fit in a hoop that goes on the embroidery machine.
Heat Press
Heat pressing is often compared to screen printing. A heat press machine applies heat transfers to items using time, temperature, and pressure to custom print your t-shirt. The big advantage of the heat press is that its prints can be done in small quantities. It is able to be used on a wider variety of items than screen printing.
Wide-Format
A wide format printer by definition is any printer that supports a maximum print roll width between 18 and 100 inches. This means that we can take any image regardless of how many colors, print it, and apply it to your merchandise to custom print your t-shirt. Wide-format can be a great option for images with a lot of colors and detail. Wide-format can also be used for shirts that are too small to be screen-printed such as toddler tees and onesies.
If you’re unsure of which decoration option is the best for your needs, you can always reach out to us here at Logo Depot with a copy or description of your artwork and the item(s) you’re looking to have it printed on. Our employees have years of experience and will be able to provide you with the best possible option for your specific situation.