A printed T-shirt is a popular casual or sportswear item, an element of corporate style, a beautiful and valuable gift. You can buy it in a store with a ready-made pattern or purchase a solid-color model and choose the image yourself. There are several printing methods used to apply logos, inscriptions, drawings to T-shirts. And for each case (type and location of the image, circulation), you can choose the appropriate technology.
There are also other basic t-shirt printing technologies, which we will look at in this article.
Digital View of Printing on T-Shirts
Progress does not stand still, and if earlier the printer was used only for working with paper, today no one is surprised at a textile printer. The device works on the principle of inkjet printing. This innovative printing method on T-shirts allows printing, even in large sizes, onto fabric in a straightforward manner. The print is fixed in the dryer. The method is used to work with single copies or small editions.
Advantages of the technology: no restrictions on the type of fabric, excellent image quality, detail, gradient fill. Things with such a print can withstand numerous hand washes, but washing them in a typewriter is not recommended. There are also limitations. A high-quality image is obtained on a white fabric, and a white substrate is applied to the color under the drawing. The disadvantages of digital printing technology on T-shirts are the high cost and long printing period.
How Is Sublimation Printing Done on T-Shirts?
This direct screen printing is suitable for large print runs of 100,000 or more. The drawings are clear. The print is first applied with special dyes on the paper, which is then pressed onto the item. The dye goes into the fabric, dyeing all the threads. The image cannot be felt by hand. This method is used only for light-colored items, in which the content of synthetic fibers is at least 65%. For the sublimation method, plastisol and water-based paints are used with different effects – “metallic,” with “glitters” (sparkles), “foams.”
The advantages of this method are the image’s resistance to washing and ultraviolet radiation and the possibility of ironing. Printing can be one and full color.
How Is Magic Touch Printed on T-Shirts?
To obtain a print on cotton T-shirts, Magic Touch technology is used. The image is printed on a film, then glued to the product using a heat press. To the touch, this print resembles a sticker.
Silkscreen: Pros and Cons
This method can be used both at home and in a printing house. It requires a frame, a stencil, paints. The print is made by pressing the stencil onto the surface. This technology allows you to obtain images with the effects of “gold,” “silver,” 3D.
Pros: good speed of the process, economy, the ability to create artistic effects. The disadvantage is the long preparation period for the process.