Analysis of Different Types of Printing Methods Used for Unique Graphic T-Shirts

1. An Analysis of Different Types of Printing Methods Used for Unique Graphic T-Shirts

2. Introduction • Graphic tees are the perfect casual-wear for people of all ages, resulting in their massive popularity. • Firms that manufacture graphic T-shirts use different kinds of printing methods to imprint graphics onto plain tees. • Here are some of the commonly used tee printing methods used in the industry.

3. Direct Printing • This involves printing the graphics directly onto a tee, just like a printer prints on paper. • This method of printing requires special printing machinery and technical expertise of the process. • Most of the tees having complex art patterns are printed using direct printing method. • Direct printing is not very durable, and the print may come off in a year or two with repeated washes.

4. Heated Press Printing • This method involves pressing a graphic vinyl piece onto the t-shirt surface and applying heat and pressure to transfer the design. • The design is first printed onto a heat transfer vinyl, and the vinyl is then imprinted onto the shirt by use of heat and pressure. • The protection paper is stripped off the tee, imprinting the design on the shirt. • This method is generally used by small volume manufacturers as it is fast and requires less capital investment than most other printing methods. • It can be used to print any kind of design on a t-shirt.

5. Screen Printing • This involves slapping a nylon mesh and waterproof material on the t-shirt and dipping the entire tee in a dye container. • This method produces high quality finish that lasts longer than most other t-shirt printing methods. • The only drawback of this method is that it can be used for single color designs only, not multi-color designs. • Majority of t-shirt manufacturers worldwide use this method of printing for simple, unique graphic t-shirts with high quality prints that last very long and are easily washable.

6. Vinyl Cutting Printing • This method involves cutting up vinyl into desired designs and pressing them into the t-shirt. • Unlike vinyl press method where the art is first pasted then undesirable portions removed, this method involves pressing of only the design areas. • This method is generally used to print athlete names and brand names onto sportswear tees worn by soccer players and football players. • They are also used for small, minor graphic printing on regular tees like printing of numbers.