Digital t-shirt printing can be accomplished in several ways. There are direct-to-garment printing techniques as well as transfer-paper (heat transfer) printing—two of the most common methods used to digitally transfer designs onto t-shirts. Using direct-to-garment printing, designs can be printed directly onto the fabric using a purpose-built printer. This specialised printer looks like a large, modified version of a typical ink jet printer, only it uses garments instead of paper to print. The device is connected to a computer just like a normal printer; it uses a special software that manages colours and other aspects of the printing process, from producing the underbases to setting the volume of ink to be used.
In the past, DTG printing was only possible on white and light-coloured garments as white ink was not yet available during the time DTG printers were invented. Today, however, white ink can be used together with the traditional CMYK printer colours, making it possible to process darker garments. DTG printers work best with 100% cotton garments, but newer models can now replicate the same results on various fabrics like polycotton and polyester. For the design to bond well with the fabric, an additional heat pressing process is done after the graphic has been transferred using this printing method.
Transfer-paper printing on the other hand uses a specialized type of coated paper, where the design is printed on. This pre-printed design is then heat-pressed using high pressure/heat onto the T-shirt so the design can be transferred onto the fabric. For better results on dark coloured shirts, a different paper is used to make sure that the design registers well even on dark backgrounds.
If you want to explore other methods of t-shirt printing and weigh your options for your next batch of custom shirts, you may consult t-shirt printing companies and select the best method to produce your unique designs.
In the past, DTG printing was only possible on white and light-coloured garments as white ink was not yet available during the time DTG printers were invented. Today, however, white ink can be used together with the traditional CMYK printer colours, making it possible to process darker garments. DTG printers work best with 100% cotton garments, but newer models can now replicate the same results on various fabrics like polycotton and polyester. For the design to bond well with the fabric, an additional heat pressing process is done after the graphic has been transferred using this printing method.
Transfer-paper printing on the other hand uses a specialized type of coated paper, where the design is printed on. This pre-printed design is then heat-pressed using high pressure/heat onto the T-shirt so the design can be transferred onto the fabric. For better results on dark coloured shirts, a different paper is used to make sure that the design registers well even on dark backgrounds.
If you want to explore other methods of t-shirt printing and weigh your options for your next batch of custom shirts, you may consult t-shirt printing companies and select the best method to produce your unique designs.