T-shirts are one of the most popular items to print on, and for good reason! Not only are they comfortable and trendy, but they’re also versatile – you can wear them for a casual day out or turn them into something more formal for a special occasion. However, before you go ahead and start printing your t-shirts, it’s important to know how to do it the right way. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about screen printing tshirts without costing you an arm and a leg.
What is screen printing?
Screen printing is a process of printing text, images, or patterns onto fabric using a mesh screen. The most common type of screen is the mesh, which is made up of thousands of tiny perforations. This allows the ink to be absorbed by the fabric while preventing it from being dispersed throughout the entire print.
One of the main benefits to screen printing is that it’s a high-quality printing method that can produce long-lasting prints. In addition, because there’s no need for molds or rubber stamps, screen printing is an affordable way to produce high-quality prints.
There are a few things you should keep in mind when screen printing t-shirts:
1) Screen size: First and foremost, make sure your mesh screen is large enough to print your design on. You’ll want to choose a screening size that’s at least twice as large as your desired finished product size. This will ensure adequate room for error and prevent any unwanted blemishes from appearing on your print.
2) Fabric type: Depending on the print you want to create, you’ll need to select the correct type of fabric. For example, if you want a digital print, you would use vinyl or polyester fabrics because they are resistent to moisture and won’t fade over time like other fabrics might.
How does screen printing work?
Screen printing is a process of printing text or images onto fabric using a screen. The fabric is placed on a flat surface, usually a table, and the desired image is printed onto the fabric by pressing it against the screen with pressure. This creates an image that is either on top of the fabric or fused to it.
The different types of screen printers
There are three main types of screen printers: the offset printer, the digital printer, and the thermal printer. Offset printers use large plates that are lowered onto a printing surface. The printhead then touches the plate to create the image. Digital printers use a printhead that is moved across a ribbon to print images. Thermal printers heat up ink in order to create prints.
The most popular type of screen printing is digital printing, which is why it’s often used for t-shirts and other small items. Digital printing is cheaper than offset printing and also faster, so it’s great for high-volume production. However, digital prints can be less detailed than offset prints and tend to have more color variations than thermals.
Thermal printing is great for larger items like hoodies or posters because it produces very accurate prints with no color variation. However, thermal prints can be quite expensive due to their high upfront costs and limited output options. In addition, because thermal printers require special paper that heats up when printed, they’re not always compatible with all types of materials.
If you’re looking for a way to save money on your screen printing project without sacrificing quality or output, choose an offset printer. Offsets are relatively affordable compared to thermals and digital prints, and they still produce high-quality prints with plenty of variations.”
How to select the right printer for your needs
If you’re considering screen printing your own t-shirts, there are a few important factors to consider first. For starters, the type of shirt you want to print on will affect which printer is the best choice.
For example, if you want to print on a cotton t-shirt, a thermal printer is the best option because it doesn’t require heat to create prints. On the other hand, if you’re printing on a polyester shirt, an inkjet printer is better because it uses heat to activate the dyes and produce prints.
Once you know what type of printer is right for your project, you need to decide how large or small your prints will be. Larger prints can be printed on a wide range of printers while smaller prints should be printed on printers that have limited print widths such as an inkjet printer.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a printer is price. There are many affordable printers on the market that can handle most projects. Just be sure to research each model carefully before making your purchase so you don’t end up disappointed in the final product!
If you’re new to screen printing, or just don’t know where to start, our team at The Screen Printing School can help you choose the right printer for your needs. Contact us today to learn more!