T-shirt printing has become a versatile industry, and there are many ways of personalising the clothing. Whether you are printing fashions or corporate events, there are varying uses of each printing process by the fabric type, design complexity, and production volume.
In this aspect, this article examines the technical details of the popular printing processes involved in custom T-shirt printing.
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Screen Printing
Screen printing, also known as silkscreen printing, is one of the most traditional and widely used techniques in the industry. It entails forcing ink through a stencil (screen) that has tiny openings to transfer a pattern to the garment.
Technical Process
A different screen is needed for each colour in a design. After the stencil is ready, the ink is added with the help of a squeegee. This T-shirt is then dried and cured by the heat tunnel in order to permanently have the ink in place.
Materials
There are two widely used types of ink, the plastisol and the water-based inks. Plastisol is known for vibrant colours and durability, but water-based ink is environmentally friendly and has a soft touch.
Best Applications
This situation is ideal for large quantity orders that do not require a wide variety of colours, like corporate uniforms, event T-shirts, and merchandise.
Application in Singapore
Screen printing has been introduced by many T-shirt printing Singapore services because it is economically efficient in bulk orders and gives durable prints.
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Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing
The DTG printing is a new digital technology which operates in the same way as ink inkjet printer, where the ink sprays into the fabrics.
Technical Process
Before printing, a pre-treatment solution is used in order to have the ink absorb better. After the T-shirt is printed, it is hardened with the help of heat to attach the ink fibres.
Materials
Pigment inks are specifically made for cotton fabrics. The technique is strong when it comes to the creation of detailed full-colour images.
Best Applications
Small orders, on-demand printing and complex prints such as photographs or gradients.
In the context of Singapore
This is the best method for start-ups and online stores. T-shirt printing Singapore businesses frequently use DTG for fast turnaround and customisation.
- Heat Transfer Printing
This process uses heat and pressure to transfer a design already on paper or vinyl onto the material.
Technical Process
The design is first printed onto transfer material. An iron press is then used to transfer it to the T-shirt to paste the design onto the fabric.
Variants
Covers the processes of digital heat transfer, sublimation of polyester and vinyl cutting.
Best Applications
Miniature run, individual names/numbers and colour images. With the increase in demand for custom-made apparel, T-shirt printing Singapore companies are continuously developing newer ways to print in a faster and convenient way.
Final Thoughts
Learning the methods of the T-shirt printing process would help the customer to make their decisions based on their design requirements and spending budget.. The robustness of screen printing to DTGs’ accuracy, each technique has its benefits when it comes to custom apparel. Another way through which the effectiveness of production can be enhanced in businesses is by choosing the appropriate method for handling various orders.
