Custom Apparel Printing is an excellent way to promote a business or event. Printed apparel such as T-shirts, hats and tote bags can all help spread the word and build brand awareness and customer loyalty.
However, it’s important to consider what printing method will best suit your needs. There are different printing techniques including DTG, screen printing and sublimation, all of which have their pros and cons. It’s also a good idea to get feedback from other printing businesses and experts in the industry before making any decisions.
DTG, or Direct-to-Garment, printing is a cutting-edge printing technique that digitally prints images directly onto fabric and clothing. This is in contrast to traditional methods that rely on screen printing or heat transfers. DTG printing offers a wide range of color options, is ideal for small orders and on-demand customization, and can be used with a variety of fabrics. However, DTG printers have some fabric limitations, and may not work as well on polyester or cotton/polyester blends.
Screen printing is a classic printing technique that’s been around for decades and is still commonly used for t-shirt printing. It works by separating colors in the design into separate fine-mesh screens. Each screen is then burned to a specific color in the design. When a new shirt is run, the ink from the screen hits the fabric and prints the desired design on each individual t-shirt. This is an efficient printing method for larger orders, and it can also be used on other products such as caps, hats, and tote bags.
Another option for printing on apparel is heat transfer printing, which involves applying a design to a garment using a special paper and then ironing it to the fabric. It’s an efficient and cost-effective printing method, but it doesn’t work as well on some fabrics. In addition, it can be difficult to apply intricate designs to garments with heat transfer printing, and it’s not a great choice for stretchy fabrics such as spandex or Lycra.
If you’re looking to start your own custom t-shirt printing business, you should think about how much money and space you’ll need for equipment and supplies. If you want to keep your overhead low, you can consider a home-based business or a shop that’s located in an area with a lower rental rate. Alternatively, you could offer contract printing services to other sellers who wish to sell customized apparel but don’t have their own printing equipment. You would print the goods and then ship them to the sellers’ customers. This is a popular option in the ecommerce apparel industry, and it can be a profitable opportunity for those with enough capital to make the necessary investments. However, it’s important to remember that this business model requires a lot of marketing and time to establish connections with other sellers. Then, you’ll need to work efficiently to fulfill orders in a timely manner. If you don’t, you can quickly burn through your resources and lose money on an unprofitable endeavor.