When you decide to start a t-shirt printing business and wonder which printing method is best for you, you may find yourself considering options like HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl), DTF (Direct to Film), DTG (Direct to Garment), white toner, sublimation, screen printing, and embroidery. After watching dozens of YouTube videos about apparel decoration techniques, you realize there are so many options, and the videos often contradict each other: “Use a heat press,” “Don’t use a heat press,” “DTF captures the best image.”DTG is touted as the most convenient, but so are DTF and screen printing.. You are now overwhelmed and even more confused than before.
Selecting the Best Apparel Decoration Method: Key Considerations
Don’t worry, this article will cover some of the most popular methods(HTV, DTF, DTG, sublimation, screen printing) and break down their initial costs, how much space you need, what tasks you need to carry out, your level of risk when using each decoration process, and the durability of each method. One thing to keep in mind is that you can be successful using any of these processes, the question you should be asking yourself is which apparel decoration process is best for my budget, my station setup, and my business model.
Understanding Apparel Decoration Techniques
Before you dive into choosing a printing method, it’s important to understand that your designs, though important, aren’t the sole factor in determining success. The printing method you choose plays a significant role in the overall outcome. From initial costs to long-term durability, each method comes with distinct characteristics that can affect both your profit margin and brand identity.
For this article, we’ll focus on processes that are easy to outsource, as purchasing equipment can be a large upfront investment for new t-shirt business owners. Congratulations, you are now deep in the rabbit hole of garment decoration.
HTV(Heat Transfer vinyl)
As the name implies, this process involves thin sheets of vinyl that are adhered to a shirt using a pre-coated layer of heat-activated glue. The initial costs associated with outsourcing printing services can vary significantly. A heat press isavailable for approximately $199 on Amazon, while detailed transfers generally range from about $3 persquare foot, with prices potentially increasing based on specific requirementsrs. Your responsibilities wilinclude ordering the transters, performing a quality check upon receipt, organizing them in a convenientmanner, and pressing them onto the shirts.
Equipment and minimum space requirement
Space requirement
You can work in half of a well-ventilated bedroom or even smaller, although it might feel cramped. Your vinyl cutter, heat press hould be seattled and you will need a small table for cutting, weeding and pressing shirts. You can store extra shirts underneath the table and add a wall-mounted organizer to keep your HTV organized.
Equipment and tools requirement
As it is a simple process methods of shirts decoration business, the use of HTV requires some specializedequipment and tools.
Textile vinyl material
The choice of vinyl materials should be guided by your target audience, market strategy, and brandidentity. Select colors, textures, and finishes that align with these factors to effectively communicate youlbrand’s message.
Vinyl cutter
It is not a must use eugipment, but with There are various types of vinyl cutters available on the marketincluding manual and automatic models. Choose the one that fits within your budget.
Heat Press
A heat press is neccessary for all procedure that use vinyl, the same like vinyl cutter, you can find the manual and automatic model, choose the one that within your budget.
Durability of HTV
The durability of heat transfer vinyl typically lasts 30 to 40 washes conservatively. Several factors influence this durability, the quality of the materials used, the application process, and the care taken during washing and drying.
Advantages of HTV
For single color or layered designs, heat transfer vinyl could be more durable that most
The cheapest method for startups
HTV can cost as low as one dollar per square foot(even lower if you can buy them directly from China suppliers) you won’t find a cheaper, lower-risk way to produce your shirts, especially for one- to two-color designs with minimal complexity. Additionly, you can use a home iron at the beginning of the business
Versatile with various colors and textures.
HTV can ve print in various colors, and easy to match a design to the desired color. It also offers different textures such as flock, puff, metallic, glitter, and more, with some even featuring patterns and designs printed on them. t one dollar per square foot of vinyl. A vinyl cutter not only speed up your T-shirt printing efficiency, but also works on adhesive vinyl for signs, custom mugs, and more, if you want to expand your business in the future.
Disadvantages of HTV
Time-consuming due to cutting and weeding.
While heat transfer vinyl offers an affordable and versatile option for your t-shirt printing business, it does come with abvious disadvantage. HTV printing process requires a lot time to cut vinyl and weed them, especially for large orders or designs with mutiple colors printing. This could be a challanging for small business owners.
Production costs increase with more colors.
Aside from the time spent on cutting and weeding, printing costs can increase with each additional color. You should take the design production processes into consideration, as they are critically important for cost control. And remember, you have tto press each color separately to prevent any potential risks.
May feel plasticky on the shirt.
Generally speaking, HTV resulting prints typically fell harder and not elastic like HPT(heat press transfer) With several layers printed on the T-shirt, it could be feel plasticky. Choosing the suitable fabric is very important, atural fibers like cotton tend to hold HTV better than synthetic blends.
Difficulty in finding specific colors for custom orders.
It can be challenging to find specific colors, particularly when printing shirts for a school where an specific shade of blue is very very important, however, the risks they are taking with HTV are very low.
Screen printed transfers
Introduction to Screen Printed Transfers:
screen printed transfers also known as plastisol transfers, is another low-cost way of produce using transfers for your shirts there are companies that offer them for as low as 15 cents per transfer plus a pre-designed setup fee.
Minimum Space Requirement
you’re going to need as much room as you would for HTV. Just like HTV, and you can use wall-mounted organizers or just store them under thetable, while also handling tasks like ordering, checking quality, organizing, and pressing the transfers onto shirts.
Durability
at least 30 to 40 washes
Level of risk
the risk of using plastidil transfers very little to medium depending on the volume that you Purchase.
Advantages
Convenient custom printing solution
Plastisol transfers offer a convenient solution for custom printing. Simply send your design to a screen printer, and once you receive the transfers, you can easily apply them with a heat press. These transfers have a softer feel compared to heat transfer vinyl (HTV), and one of their key advantages is compatibility with the Pantone color system, allowing for more accurate color matching.
Disadvantages
Still need a heat press machine
Like HTV, you still need a heat press machine to start your business.
Not ideal for small batch printing.
Print cost varies with a print volume and number of colors, if you are confident that your design will sell at least 100 copies of a one color, or you have bulk orders already, it can be a profitabale investment.
setup fee needed
The set up fee are vary based on the complexity of your designs and colors, do consider this into your total cost calculation, if you finally choose screen print transfers.
DTF(Direct To Film) Transfers
DTF Transfers Printing Options and Budget Tips
DTF, or direct to film transfers, these printers are full-color digital prints that are printed on PET film and pressed onto your shirt. Some people produce their own transfers using converted desktop printers or commercial printers, while others buy their transfers from companies with commercial printers. If you have limited budget, getting your transfer from a DTF printoing company could could be a option.
Choosing the Right DTF transfer printing Supplier
Different suppliers have different print qualities and levels of customer service, so if you’re new to graphic design and do not know if your graphics will print well, find a company that will help you sort out your graphics before they print them. There’s nothing worse than investing your hard-earned money and receiving unusable transfers because some company may printed out your orders even when they know that it will come out bad.
Buy a DTF printer and print transfers
If you’re planning to buy your own DTF printer, just know that these can take a lot of work to maintain, both desktop DTF printer and commercial DTF printer. Technicians guide: DTF printer maintenance and print quality enhancement
Desktop DTF printer
If you have a limited budget and you want to print the transfers yourslef, also you do not have mauch space to contain a commercial DTF printer, then a desktop DTF printer is a option.
Advantages
Ideal for Beginners with Limited Space
It is a desktop DTF printer, a small desk is enough to place it, that’s one of the reason people choose it as their first DTF printer.
The budget
Of course, budget is one of the most important factors in making a purchase decision. You should also take technical issues into account. If you encounter several technical problems and can’t continue making a profit, things can become challenging.
Cheap print heads
Most desktop DTF printers use Epson L1800 printheads, which is not a expensive printheads, compare to those commercial DTF printer’s heads. Is Epson L1800 DTF printer a good choice?
Disadvantages
You have to be on your own
If you buy one desktop from your local shop, you probably get some help from seller, when you meet technical problems. But if you buy a cheap desktop DTF printer overseas, you probably need to solve the problem by yourself, sometimes, the price comes to a consequence.
Maintenance Costs of Desktop DTF Printers
Yes, maintaining a DTF printer requires not only time but also money. The maintenance costs for a desktop DTF printer are higher than those for a commercial DTF printer. I will explain why later. let’s start with the time involved.
When you’ve had a busy week and want to take a break, don’t travel too far. Otherwise, your desktop DTF printer’s print heads may clog because you haven’t maintained it every 2 or 3 days, whether you have work or not.
Maintenance a DTF printer is not a easy work, especially for a desktop DTF printer. Although it’s small but you need These Epson L1800 print heads are becoming obsolete and are increasingly difficult to source. When your have to replace your heads every 2 or 3 months, and you find it takes USD500 on Amazon or Ebay, it can be a really challenging.
Now let’s talk about commercial DTF printer
Commercial DTF printer
If you have a desktop DTF printer and you want to upgrade it to a more productive one, you definately need a commercial DTF printer.
Advanced Features:
Larger Print Size:
Commercial DTF printers typically print 15 to 24 inches and some China DTF printer manufacturer provide 47 inches DTF printer.
Higher Production Capacity
A commercial DTF printer is ideal for business owners with a stable order volume and a need for quick turnaround times, as it is capable of efficiently fulfilling bulk orders. You can rotate your design, so you will get much more print area for large designs, which will save material and cost less per print.
Superior Print Quality:
Most of commercial DTF printer are equipped with Epson grayscale printheads and they print higher resolution and better color accuracy compare to desktop DTF printers.
Durability and Longevity:
The prints produced by commercial DTF printers are more durable and higher resistant to abrasion and pulling. We process the washable resistant tests and at after 100 washes, the prints on the shirts show no signs of cracking.
Versatility in Material Compatibility and printing methods
Commercial DTF printers offer superior capabilities for printing on a wide variety of materials, including specialized fabrics such as nylon and treated leather, without the need for extensive pretreatment. Except normal materials, commercial DTF printers could print Luminous effect and flock on the shirts. If you want to print more profitable shirts, DTF printers wiht powder shaker could be a good choice.
Advanced Features:
Many commercial DTF printers are equipped with advanced features, including automated processes that enhance production efficiency and reduce labor costs. These features typically encompass automatic film feeding, built-in powder applicators, and auto maintenance systems.
Disadvantages
Higher Initial Investment:
The initial investment in DTF printing equipment can be significant, and ongoing costs for replacement parts and maintenance can add up, particularly for small businesses. The printheads in commercial DTF printers are generally more expensive than those in desktop DTF printers. However, with proper care and maintenance, as advised by your printer manufacturer, these printheads—especially original Epson heads—can have a longer lifespan.
Increased Space Requirements:
A 24 inch DTF printer and a powder shaker takes at least 80 inch width and 108 inch length approx
The specified space requirement does not account for additional room needed for operator access or ventilation. Therefore, it is advisable to allocate extra space beyond these dimensions for practical purposes.
Time-Consuming Processes:
While DTF printing streamlines certain steps compared to other methods, it can still be time-consuming, particularly for larger orders. The requirement for multiple operators to manage the heat press and other processes can further extend production time and increase labor costs.
Learning Curve:
You may experience a learning curve when operating a DTF printer and a powder shaker machine. It is important to address common issues such as film distortion and powder melting malfunctions. Additionally, you will need to troubleshoot any problems that may arise during operation.
The initial costs associated with outsourcing printing services can vary significantly. A heat press is available for approximately $199 on Amazon, while detailed transfers generally range from about $3 per square foot, with prices potentially increasing based on specific requirements.
Digital Screen printed transfers
Digital screen printed transfers is one of the common types of heat tran screen printed. The initial costs associated with outsourcing printing services can vary significantly. A heat press is available for approximately $199 on Amazon, while detailed transfers generally range from about $3 per square foot, with prices potentially increasing based on specific requirements.rs. Your responsibilities will include ordering the transfers, performing a quality check upon receipt, organizing them in a convenient manner, and pressing them onto the shirts.
Space requirment
The space needed will be comparable to that required for heat transfer vinyl (HTV) or plastisol transfers, a bedroom or a garage is enough for runing your business.
Equipment and tools requirement
As it is a simple process methods of shirts decoration business, the use of digital screen printed transfers requires some specialized equipment and tools.
Vinyl cutter
It is not a must use euqipment, but with There are various types of vinyl cutters available on the market, including manual and automatic models. Choose the one that fits within your budget.
Heat Press:
A heat press is neccessary for all procedure that use vinyl, the same like vinyl cutter, you can find the manual and automatic model, choose the one that within your budget.
Advantages of digital screen printed transfers
Not setup fee
Digital screen printed transfers don’t need upfront setup fee cause the design transferred directly from a computer to the printer, you will never need to create separatelt screens for each color in a single design. Without the primary cost driver for setup fees in traditional screen printing and the digital progress workflow sigificantly reduces the manual labor to preaparing process, digital screen printed transfers has become an accessible option for appeal decoration business startups
Simply workflow
his method offers considerable convenience. When utilizing a printing service, the space needed will be comparable to that required for heat transfer vinyl (HTV) or plastisol transfers.Your responsibilities will include ordering the transfers, performing a quality check upon receipt, organizing them in a convenient manner, and pressing them onto the shirts.
Ehhanced comfort
The resulting prints typically feel softer and more elastic than HTV.
Faster turnaround
because these are digital prints, you can generally expect a faster turnaround time. You have the capability to print full-color images, including photographs, and larger printers can utilize color scaling for more accurate color reproduction.
Disadvantages:
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing
DTG is a digital printing method that uses specialized inkjet technology to print directly onto the fabric. It’s best for full-color, detailed designs, and is widely used in print-on-demand services. You can outsource all production and shipping tasks and concentrate your effort on marketing and sales work.
Advantages of DTG printing
No Inventory Management
One of the primary benefits of DTG printing is that it eliminates the need for inventory. Sellers do not have to handle any physical products, as the printing and shipping are managed by a third-party provider.
Full-Color Designs:
DTG can handle complex, full-color prints(CMYK and white ink), similar to Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing, which you can bring all your desgins into reality.
Disadvantages of DTG Printing
Cost Considerations:
While there is no need for inventory, DTG-printed shirts can be relatively expensive compared to other printing methods. It is important to evaluate your market strategy and take time in thorough market research before step into the game.
Quality Control Challenges
Quality can vary significantly between different suppliers. Since the shirts go directly from the printer to the customer, sellers cannot inspect the quality of prints unless they handle shipping themselves.
Print Durability
The durability of DTG prints can vary; however, when done correctly, they can withstand approximately 30 to 40 washes.
Potential Print Issues
Semi-transparent images may result in a white outline when printed, which could affect the overall appearance of the design.
Sublimation printing
This is another digital print process that prints sublimation ink specifically for white polyester materials. If you’re using 100% white polyester or doing overall prints for athletic polyester uniforms, it will never crack or fade and that makes sublimation a perfect option for you, since sublimation dye is embedded into the fabric.
Advantages of subliamtion
Perfect for white polyester
If you’re using 100% white polyester or doing overall prints for athletic polyester uniforms, it will never crack or fade and that makes sublimation a perfect option for you, since sublimation dye is embedded into the fabric.
Disadvantages of subliamtion
not suitable for polyester
However, it is important to warn you that this technique is most effective with 50% to 100% white polyester, as the amount of polyester will influence the vibrancy of the design on the shirt. If you are working with polyester blends, take care of your design, cause the may appear washed out after the sublimation process. But if you aiming to a vintage look, that will be fine.
Complicated and Time Intensive Sublimation Process On Colored Fabrics
Applying sublimation ink on any colored fabric may cause color shift or fading in the design. But there is a way to solve it. Spray your colored printed area with 1:1 mixed bleach and water(the amount of the spray depend on the shirt’s thickness ) and let the sunligh speed up the bleaching process,it will take about a week when finally you are sitisfied with the extent of the bleah. Do not let them overexposure to the light, as excessive bleaching may weaken the fabric andalter the appearance of the shirt after several washes. To stop the bleaching, soak the shirt in the water and use hydrogen peroxide. If it you want to process the bleaching process all day or during the rainy days, use a heat lamp.
Screen printing
Now we’re getting into the holy grail of t-shirt decoration,screen printing. This ancient printing technology originated in China over a thousand year ago, and now, it’s still the one of the most popular shirts printing technology in the word.
I consider the risk with screen printing to be high. Even though it’s high risk, it is definitely the goal for any brand to get their shirts screen printed.I would not recommend this process for someone who’s just starting and hasn’t sold a single shirt because I know people will have 24 of the same shirt in different sizes because their shirts didn’t sell.I do recommend this process if you’ve been in the game long enough to know which of your designs will sell and when you will need to reorder.
Minimum space requirement
if you’re outsourcing all your work, then you can just use half a bedroom, which you’ll use for storing your pre-printed shirts. If all shirts will be pre-printed, you will need more space with each color, size, and design that you add.
Advantages of Screen printing
Durability
Very stable, if cured correctly, the print will last longer than the shirts
No Inventory Management
It requires little to no work if you’re outsourcing the printing. It is still the most preferred garment decoration process because of the quality and softness of the print, customers see these screen-printed shirts as higher quality shirts, so many are willing to pay more per shirt in retail.
Versatile
you can do puff prints, glitter prints, water-based discharge printing, etc.
Disadvantages of Screen printing
Costly method for small orders
One of the main disadvantages is the initial setup cost, screen printing can be expensive, especially for small orders. Not only the setup cost, it also takes time, and each color in the design requires a separate screen, which increases the total cost and preparation time.
More colors equals higher costs
It is not a digital printing method, and each color in the design requires a separate screen, which increases the total cost and preparation time.
Not a eco-friendly printing method
Screen printing will consume alot of water to mix the inks and also clean the screens. Additionally, if you attempt screen printing on your own, it can create a considerable mess in your workspace, so, it is not a good idea if you want to do it in your garage of your basement.
In the end
There are more garment production techniques out there like embroidery, white toner stamping, etc. But im not familiar with them so i won’t write about them here. As a DTF printer technican, i may experience more garment printing methods in the future and definately, i will add them in this article. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know—and let’s make t-shirts!