One thing that has been consistent throughout the years is the types of t-shirt printing we’ve had. We have added some new ones along the way but today, we are choosing to focus on the 5 main types of t-shirt printing that has stood the test of time!

1. Silk Screen Printing

This is one of the most popular t-shirt printing methods for professionals. It is done by creating a screen using a stencil and nylon mesh. The nylon mesh is used to hold the stencil in place - using waterproof material to block the negative space in your design. This should be the only part permeable. Now, flood the screen with ink. Your design should be replicated on the T-shirt.

Screen printing is also known as silkscreen printing. It guarantees hundred percent reproduction of the design and it is suitable for mass production of one to three colour printing.

2. Heat Press Printing

This is an economical type of printing that is highly suitable for small orders. It is both cheap and takes lesser time to execute. The design is printed on a special material called transfer paper. Here’s how it works: Take a T-shirt, press it on the transfer paper (vinyl), then apply both heat and pressure. Wait till the heat softens the ink to the extent of reaching the cloth through the transfer paper.

Now, take off the transfer paper and the dye. What you will end up with is a T-shirt with the exact design you intended. Heat press printing is ideal for complex durable designs on light coloured materials.

3. Embroidery

Machine stitches is a particular design or text onto the garment of choice.  Any sport or event is made even more special with customized embroidery t-shirts, polo shirts, and are all customizable, created by you! 

4. Vinyl Cutting

In this method, a special soft clothing is cut into shapes or designs, then transferred to a shirt.Then these special designs are then placed onto the t-shirt using the heat press method. With this method, you can print one-off designs and even produce them in large numbers.

5. Dye Sublimation

To bring out the best results in this method, you need to have deep knowledge in dye sublimation. Dye sublimation is perfect for printing polyester like cream fabrics. They are unforgiving when you bring cotton fabric to the scene.

You will need a special type of dye which is liquid. The liquid dries up when it meets the polyester fabric. When it dried well, it solidifies on the fabric, then you can apply heat and pressure for sublimation to take place.

When the solid fabric is exposed to heat and pressure - it turns into gas. The fabric molecules then expand and the gas sips between the gap that appear in the cloth. In the end, the molecules contracts again when you remove the heat.