Learning the best t-shirt printing methods brings you a step closer to starting a t-shirt printing business. There are several t-shirt printing methods and techniques printing companies in Kenya use.
These methods are applicable universally, and in this article, we would like to take the guesswork out of the t-shirt printing process.
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If you are looking to start a t-shirt printing business, either for commercial or personal reasons, it’s important to know which steps to take.
Making a decision on which t-shirt printing machines you purchase relies on your budget and your business goals.
Each printing technique directly impacts how fast you want each project to last.
Over the past decade, there has been a shift in the t-shirt printing business in Kenya and around the world. Printing technology is getting better by the day.
The ideal printing method for your business depends on many factors. Some of them are the type of fabric you’re using or the quantity of t-shirts you want to print.
The custom t-shirt designs you have in mind, the level of detail you expect, and how much time and money you’re willing to invest will also matter.
Other reasons would be, you intend to buy your printing machines and do the printing yourself. You might consider outsourcing from a third party to print your shirts through a print-on-demand service.
If you opt for the drop-shipping business model, the printing company help you with the order fulfillment. They can ship orders straight to your end customer under your label.
Most printing companies in Kenya use modern printing methods like DTF and UV printing. They have invested in commercial large-format printers with UV finishing to 10x their production. The evolution in t-shirt printing processes has given birth to fast and reliable t-shirt printing machines.
In this post, we’ll explore the most popular modern t-shirt printing methods and techniques you can use to customize t-shirts, hoodies, umbrellas, etc.
Direct-to-Garment(DTG) Printing
DTG printing is a method that sprays ink onto garments and is similar to printing on paper. DTG printing technique is an excellent option for those who want to add complex, multi-color designs to t-shirts. You can also use it to print hoodies, tote bags, umbrellas, and other similar fabric items.
DTG Fabric compatibility
DTG printing works best on 100% cotton t-shirts. It is also suitable for cotton blends. We do not recommend using it with synthetic fabrics.
Since the ink is thin, getting good-quality prints on darker fabrics is hard. In that case, a white under base is recommended to guarantee that the design will keep its original colors.
For this printing method, pre- and post-treatments are also necessary, not to mention special care instructions to make sure the products last longer.
DTG Pros
- There are no setup preparations (like films or meshes in screen printing and no-cut printing).
- DTG printing enables one-off printing.
- It is a perfect t-shirt printing solution for small businesses
- It is a more sustainable practice than screen printing as it avoids overproduction
- The prints on DTG last longer.
- DTG produces high-quality results and is precise when printing complex designs
- Soft to the touch
- It has no limitations when it comes to printing colors.
DTG Cons
- DTG machines are expensive and require a certain skill to maintain.
- DTG needs pre-treatment and post-treatment
- It is not a cost-effective solution for large orders with the same design.
- For non-cotton fabrics, it is disappointing.
DTF or No-cut printing
This type of printing involves the printing of a DTF film. You then transfer the custom t-shirt design to a fabric using a heat press machine.
Read our article on DTF/no-cut printing. In this article, we have expounded on the topic of no-cut printing better.
How does DTF work?
In DTF printing, the design is first printed on a special film called PET film with water-based inks and a special powder that helps transfer designs.
The print is then transferred to the fabric using a heat press machine. The heat-press machine makes the film peel off and leaves an exact print on the garment.
You have to dehumidify and flatten the fabric before transferring the print. The average temperature used to transfer the print to the garment is 165°C.
The fabric then goes through a second round of flattening to
make the design last longer.
DTF/No-cut printing Fabric compatibility
One of the greatest advantages of DTF printing compared to other t-shirt printing methods is its versatility. It can be used on a wider variety of fabrics like cotton, polyester, fleece, nylon, and blended fabrics.
Screen printing (or silkscreen printing)
Screen printing, or silkscreen printing, is one of the oldest t-shirt commercial t-shirt printing methods around. It is also, one of the most efficient. Screen printing offers vivid, durable cost-effective designs for t-shirts, umbrellas, hoodies, and pretty much all garments.
How does screen printing work?
The screen-printing process involves a stencil (that functions as a template), a mesh screen, and a squeegee or a straight blade to transfer your design to the t-shirt. First, you create a stencil of the design and place it on a mesh screen. After that, you block all the areas that won’t receive the design so the ink will go through the open spaces only.
Once the stencil is placed onto the mesh, the ink is poured over it and pressed with the help of the squeegee or blade to reproduce the design on the fabric. After that, excess ink is wiped off and the t-shirt is laid out to dry.
Screen Printing Benefits
- High-quality, long-lasting prints
- Cost-effectiveness for larger orders
- Compatible with many different fabrics
- Fast and affordable for large quantities of the same design (average of 25 pieces per design)
Screen Printing Cons
- Screen printing is a long process and is not ideal for small businesses that want to sell on-demand.
- It is not ideal for complex and/or detailed designs.
- It has limitations when it comes to the number of colors you can print.
- For the production of small quantities and designs with many colors, it’s an expensive solution. This is due to the origination costs e.g. the screen exposition cost.
- It is not very eco-friendly since the process uses a lot of water and the screen printing ink is mostly plastisol-based (not biodegradable).
Disclaimer: Azuri Promo Shop Ltd ONLY provides t-shirt printing services to their clients in Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and other East African countries. We print t-shirts in Nairobi, and ship them to the client, at their expense. If you wish to boost your brand visibility using branded t-shirts, you are welcome. We print t-shirts for different occasions, i.e. corporate, sports, special occasions, etc. Feel free to explore our printing services.
Embroidery
It is the process of stitching a design onto a fabric using embroidery machines. Embroidery is a great way of ensuring the message stays for a very long time.
For the best results, you need to make simple and memorable designs. Embroidery machines transmit images onto any fabric using clusters or a series of stitches.
It is a great way of producing promotional merchandise, especially, corporate apparel, t-shirts, aprons, overalls, dust coats e.t.c.
Benefits of embroidery include but are not limited to:
- Permanent placement– Unlike other printing methods that can wear away due to repeated wash and wear, embroidery is much sturdier. Colors do not fade or peel and will withstand many washing cycles.
- Highly durable– The thread used is always thin and flexible, allowing the design to be shaped to any body part. Sleeves, legs, or even heads under hats can be fitted with any design.
- Tight and tough– As the stitches are tight and close, they are unlikely to get undone. Plus, they are resistant to damage that may occur, allowing the image to keep its shape for a long time.
