Printing on T-shirts is a popular and affordable service today. Let's look at ways to print images on fabric and determine the file requirements for this. After all, competent file preparation is the key to a high-quality final object with an image. In the article, we will also highlight the pros and cons of printing methods on T-shirts.
Let's start with a method that is very common today, suitable for most private orders.
Direct printing on T-shirts (digital textile printing)
This method of printing on a T-shirt involves direct printing without intermediate image carriers.
Image transfer is similar to conventional printing on paper, but requires a different printing block and inks that can be securely adhered to the fabric.
The undoubted advantage of direct printing on a T-shirt is the ability to print images on dark media. A primer is used as a substrate before applying a color image.
The image can withstand more than 60 washes without significant loss of quality, and this is a very good indicator!
The composition of the fabric also cannot but rejoice - printing is possible on 100% cotton. They also use 95% cotton and 5% lycra. In general, printing is possible on any fabric that can withstand heat fixing at an average temperature of 150 degrees (for example, linen, jute, jeans, canvas tarpaulin, chintz and others).
Suitable for:
Photographic.
File requirements:
Pros:
- high wash resistance
- printing on colored objects
- not expensive printing from one copy
Minuses:
- not yet ubiquitous technology, but readily available online
Printing on T-shirts by silk screen printing
a method of transferring graphic images using a stencil, through which the ink is applied alternately in layers on the printed material. Before printing, printing forms are made - stencils. This technology allows to achieve excellent indicators of resistance to abrasion and the ability to obtain a thick paint layer of color. Also, when silk-screen printing, special effects are available for use - glitters (sequins), three-dimensional printing, imitation of velvet or rubber.
Suitable for: drawings, logos, inscriptions.
Received image quality: bright saturated colors
File requirements: specially prepared vector and raster files
Pros:
- good durable paint
- cheap technology for large circulation
Minuses:
- time-consuming and expensive technology for small circulation
Printing on T-shirts with flex films (FLEX-printing)
The applied image is cut out from a single-color very thin film on a cutting plotter and glued to the fabric under high temperature. The technology is designed for applying 1-5 color images, such as inscriptions, simple logos. The range of colors and textures of films allows you to develop very interesting prints. The image applied with the help of flex films is almost eternal - the film does not wear off and does not fade, it is only afraid of an aggressive environment (for example, it dissolves in alcohol). The printing mechanism is similar to drawing up an application from pieces of colored paper. With this method, photographic image quality cannot be achieved. In addition, it happens that studios refuse to print complex images with small details, because. it becomes a labor intensive process.
Suitable for: simple drawings, logos, inscriptions.
Received image quality: bright colors without halftone transitions
File requirements: vector files, scale 1:1, open and intersecting contours are not allowed, lines should have the smallest thickness (hairline), text converted to curves, size 25 pt (about 10 mm), sans-serif fonts are recommended for small sizes.
Pros:
- High quality color
- Clear contours
- Printing on colored fabrics
- High resistance to streaking and fading
Minuses:
- Photographic images cannot be printed
Sublimation printing on T-shirts
The ink is preliminarily applied to an intermediate carrier (sublimation paper or film) and then transferred to the surface to be painted under the influence of temperature and pressure. In this case, the paint passes into a gaseous state and, as it were, settles into the fabric. The image is stable and with excellent photographic quality. The best result is only available for fabrics containing at least 65% synthetic (predominantly polyester) fibers. The higher the cotton content in the material, the more the image fades when washed. The dyed fabric does not lose its elasticity; when it is stretched, the paint layer does not break. There are special two-layer t-shirts for sublimation: cotton inside, synthetics on top.
Today, high end quality sublimation printing is not available for dark fabrics.
Note: There are machines for direct sublimation printing, when the dye is applied directly to the product. The particles of the coloring matter are instantly heated by the print head and mixed during the transition to a gaseous state, penetrating deeply into the structure of the printed material.
It is possible to implement the method of sublimation printing on fabric at home. The main difficulty is to evenly press the entire printed area with a household iron. This can be done successfully, if only the area of the pattern is not larger than the area of \u200b\u200bthe sole of the iron. Otherwise, there is a risk of uneven printout of the image. The pressure on the material must be strong enough. You also need to take into account the temperature and holding time during transfer. Average temperature 180-210 degrees Aim with a hold time of 30-60 seconds. These values are individual and depend on the structure and thickness of the fabric, the thickness of the paper and the characteristics of the ink. At the same time, they use special ink and special paper for sublimation printing.
Suitable for: photographs, drawings, logos, inscriptions
Received image quality: full color photographic
File requirements:
raster files: PNG, JPG, GIF, PSD formats; color mode RGB, CMYK; size 2340x3310 px (for A3 size) resolution 200 dpi.
vector files: formats EPS 8 version; CMYK model; objects without stroke; the text is converted to curves; "mesh" type fills and gradients are not allowed (replacement with bitmap).
Pros:
- full color high quality image
- stamina
- elasticity (stretches without cracking)
- the image is imperceptible to the touch
- it is possible to implement the method at home
Minuses:
- not suitable for natural fabrics
- Poor print quality on colored items.
Thermal transfer printing on T-shirts. Thermal transfer(thermal transfer).
method of printing on a T-shirt from special paper using a heat press. Thermal transfer paper is paper with a transparent film on which an image is applied. Then the application is transferred to the fabric by heating.
When printing on dark fabrics, a white transfer film is used, which after printing must be cut along the contour and only then transferred to a T-shirt. The image is quite durable, but it is still not recommended to wash the products in washing machines. Moreover, based on experience, printing on colored fabrics is more resistant than for white fabrics.
The thermal transfer method can be successfully implemented at home using an iron. Especially for this, there is thermal transfer paper for printing on home inkjet and laser printers.
Suitable for: photographs, drawings, logos, inscriptions.
Received image quality: photographic.
File requirements: high resolution raster files, vector files.
Pros:
- full color high quality image
- Possibility of making at home
- suitable for colored fabrics
Minuses:
- not durable enough for machine wash
- a film is applied to the fabric, which is very tangible to the touch.
Summary
Image files need to be prepared before printing an image on an object. File requirements depend on how the image is applied to the item.
Each of the described printing methods is good in its own way and you need to choose a printing method depending on specific goals. For printing large runs of the same print, of course, it is better to use silk-screen printing. And for printing a logo, an inscription on a work or sports uniform - FLEX-printing. Flex is also used in promotional clothing. By the way, fans of rock bands and various communities of interest are actively ordering the preparation of vector logo files for Flex printing on the site.
If you need a T-shirt with a print in a single copy, then we recommend Direct to fabric printing (DTG). Today it is the most suitable way to print on T-shirts made from natural fabrics.
Note: the article lists the most common indicators of the requirements of print studios for files for printing on the subject. However, some studios may have different requirements. Therefore, always check the file requirements exactly where you plan to print. When ordering the “ ” service, please indicate these requirements and the selected printing method. By default, we prepare files in accordance with the requirements set out in the article.
Of all the options for printing on fabric, the most popular is printing on t-shirts. Branded items are used as:
- everyday clothes;
- element of corporate style;
- souvenir products;
- presentation/handout material for various events.
Print technologies
Printing on T-shirts is carried out using different technologies. Let's write briefly about the most popular.
Digital
Straight digital printing- progressive technology of drawing transfer quickly and without intermediate steps. Suitable for work with small circulations, single products.
Advantages:
- high quality, gradient fills, detailed details;
- no restrictions on the choice of fabric;
- print resistance to washing / ultraviolet.
Flaws:
- only hand wash T-shirt/fabric;
- not suitable for large print runs;
- prepress required.
With digital printing, there are no restrictions on colors and shades
sublimation
Another name is direct screen printing. Suitable for circulations of 50-100,000 copies or more. The drawings are clear. In the manufacture of batches of 200 pieces, the cost is reduced.
Two types of paints are used: plastisol and water. They come with different effects:
- drawings with sparkles - glitters;
- image on dark fabric - etched paints;
- three-dimensional patterns - foam;
- the effect of gloss, gilding, silvering - metallized.
Sublimation t-shirt printing technology is only suitable for light-colored synthetics. The pattern is transferred to special paper, and then to the material using a heat press. At high temperature the ink evaporates, they penetrate into the fibers of the fabric, coloring it.
A high-quality print will turn out on a fabric with a synthetic content of about 65%. The higher the proportion of cotton, the faster the print fades when washed.
The sublimation process requires the following equipment:
- heat press - with its help, the paint turns into a gas and is transferred to the material, giving it a given color;
- computer / laptop - for searching, editing, printing images;
- printer - inkjet models are suitable, for example, 4- or 6-color Epson;
- paint - sublimation ink, absorbed into the fibers of the fabric under the influence of temperature;
- CISS - provide a continuous supply of ink to the printer;
- paper is an intermediate carrier with a loose surface, when heated, the pores expand, absorb the dye, then the paper cools, the pores close and keep the color inside.
As images, raster (RGB / CMYK, with a resolution of 200 dpi) or vector images (CMYK, mesh filling is not allowed, bitmap replacement is not allowed).
Industrial Sublimation Printer FT-1904X
Advantages:
- no restrictions on image resolution/colors;
- durability of the pattern (at least 50 washes), UV protection - the ink penetrates the fabric,
- becomes part of the fiber;
- practicality of the product - the T-shirt can be ironed, the pattern will not suffer;
- low cost.
Flaws:
- restriction on fabrics - only synthetic;
- high price;
- duration of the manufacturing process.
Sublimation technology for printing on T-shirts is one of the most affordable in terms of the price of the finished product. The average price range is from 10 (one-color printing, a batch of 50,000 pieces) to 200 rubles (full-color patterns, small circulation).
silkscreen
It is carried out both in the conditions of the printing house and at home. To work, you need a mesh stretched over a frame, ink, a stencil. The pattern is obtained by pressing. Silk screen printing is used when printing on T-shirts with various effects on fabric is required:
- fluorescent patterns;
- drawings in gold and silver;
- three-dimensional ornaments;
- printing on a T-shirt with reflective images / inscriptions; 3D, glitters.
The average circulation is from 50 to several thousand units. The larger the circulation, the lower the price.
Silk-screened photo of Homer and Margery
Advantages:
- low cost;
- high speed;
- image stability;
- the ability to create various special effects;
- the compactness of the equipment used.
Flaws:
- the complexity of printing photos;
- duration of preparation;
- applying the same patterns within the entire batch of products.
Silk-screen printing is suitable for applying inscriptions, logos and pictures in small print runs. Specially processed vector and raster files are used.
Thermal application
The color film is cut on a plotter and assembled into a single pattern by analogy with the application. The carrier is fixed on the T-shirt with a heat press. The technology is optimal for applying small inscriptions / logos.
Advantages:
- a wide selection of films of different colors and textures;
- printing on T-shirts of any color - the shade of the fabric does not reduce the saturation of the image.
Flaws:
- long term;
- the complexity of the procedure.
The drawing is voluminous and clear
Thermal transfer technology
Modern method of indirect printing. Special transfer paper is used. The pattern is transferred to the fabric with a heat press, less often with an iron. High-resolution vector and raster files are suitable as source images.
You can print on transfer paper by silk screen printing, less often by offset.
Advantages:
- multicolor pattern;
- duration of storage of transfers;
- high speed;
- minimum restrictions on the choice of fabric.
Flaws:
- lengthy preparation/configuration of equipment;
- the impossibility of printing different images within the circulation.
T-shirt printing equipment
The choice of equipment depends on the technology. For sublimation you will need a printer:
- manual - easy to operate, inexpensive, suitable for home use / small runs, cost - from 35,000 rubles;
- semi-automatic - it is possible to dry the T-shirt during the intermediate stage of the process, the cost is from 60,000 rubles;
- automatic - labor costs are minimal, all processes are debugged, printing speed is high, cost - from 150,000 rubles.
Iron on requires a digital/inkjet printer and a heat press. At home, it can be replaced with an iron.
Thermal transfer uses:
- PC/laptop with graphics editor;
- printer and scanner;
- sublimation press - vertically folding (inexpensive, easy to operate) or rotary.
Direct digital printing requires an inkjet printer.
Digital fabric printer
You can see how digital printing on T-shirts works in this video:
Results
- Each printing technology has its own merits. Choose based on purpose/circulation.
- Sublimation and silk screen printing are suitable for applying pictures with a circulation of more than 1,000 pieces. With single orders, the cost will increase significantly.
- For batches up to 50 units - thermal transfer technology. It is also suitable when applying a pattern where direct printing on a T-shirt is not possible.
- For urgent printing - printer transfer. The resulting image will not be very stable.
- Images are prepared taking into account the requirements of a particular printing technology.
- The type of equipment also depends on the specific technology.
A t-shirt with a slogan or a funny picture can be a great holiday gift for friends or a loved one. A unique present from the heart will delight your loved ones, emphasize their originality and personal qualities.
Special textile printer
This highly specialized device works on the principle inkjet printer. The T-shirt is put on a special movable table that goes into the printer. After drawing the picture, the paint is fixed in a drying device or under a heat press. It is most often used for printing on white T-shirts, since colored items need an additional white substrate under the picture.
The use of this technology allows you to quickly prepare a T-shirt for printing, apply a high-resolution drawing, and change the image for different products. But there are also disadvantages textile printing: high cost and "slowness" of the printer. You will have to spend from 5 to 20 minutes for each piece, so this method is only used for a small number of T-shirts.
Indirect printing on a printer
This type of printing on textiles can have two options. The first involves sublimation printing technology, which is carried out with special ink on paper, after which the image transfers to the T-shirt fabric under the influence of temperature. The transferred pattern does not feel different to the touch; this type of printing on T-shirts can only be used for polyester products.
The second option is also called “magic touch” technology, it consists in the fact that a drawing or an inscription is first applied to a special film, and then glued to the thing itself using a heat press. In appearance, the finished drawing resembles a sticker; in this case, cotton t-shirts must be used for successful printing.
Thermal application (flex, flock)
This fabric printing technology is more suitable for creating simple inscriptions and company logos. It involves the assembly of multi-color pictures like an appliqué, the image is glued onto clothes using a heat press. Flex allows you to choose original textured films (for example, metallic, smooth, velvety), while the color of the T-shirt does not affect the color of the applied image.
Silk screen printing on fabric
Silk-screen printing is an industrial technology for applying inscriptions and drawings on fabric. To transfer textile paints, special stencils are used for each of the colors. Colors are superimposed sequentially, you can change the thickness of the paint layer. Used for silk screen printing different types paints, including luminous and metallic.
This type of printing on T-shirts is convenient for a large number of products (from 50 pieces). It is produced quickly, has a low cost, while the pattern is of high quality and durability. However, among the minuses of silk-screen printing are the duration of preparation for printing, the impossibility of applying variable information, as well as some limitations when printing photographs and raster graphics.
Thermal transfer
This method of printing on T-shirts is also more profitable to use for large runs of products. To implement it, first apply offset printing or silk-screen printing, resulting in "transfers". Application to textiles is carried out using an iron or a heat press. Only paint remains on the T-shirt, there is no feeling of a sticker.
This type of printing on T-shirts allows you to apply multi-color pictures on any fabric. The thermal transfers themselves are stored for a long time, the printing speed is high, and the cost, on the contrary, is low. However, it may take a long time to prepare for printing, and it is also impossible to apply variable information.
Each method of printing on T-shirts has its own characteristics, which must be considered when choosing the right option. It all depends on circulation. required quality, the complexity of the images, the type of fabric and colors used, as well as the period during which your order must be completed.
How to get 30% profit in just a year on 40 thousand? Invest these funds in printing on clothes, or just on fabric. This capital will be enough to open a printing house with own equipment, monthly costs for materials and workers. It also plays into the hands of the fact that the demand for such a product still exceeds the market supply, so there is a place for those who wish. Today they print on anything, even .
It is difficult to estimate the total volume of the market for products printed on textiles. After all, the number of such products increases many times during political campaigns or mass celebrations, and the manufacturers of these products are not known for certain. There is a belief that every political force or other powerful organization has its own printing house, which it uses for its needs.
Case evaluation
On the whole, according to the assumptions of printers, the market for products printed on textiles is estimated at about $ 5 million. The global financial crisis has significantly affected the state of the market. It sank somewhere by 40% and has not yet recovered to its previous volume. Surprisingly, there is little competition, and demand still outstrips supply, the publishers say.
If another company appears that provides a narrow segment of services, other printers will not suffer. Pronounced market players who could claim a monopoly or oligopoly were not found. There is simply a concept of exclusivity for certain categories of goods.
According to rumors in the market, it is the highest-ranking officials who own the printing houses that have the right to print such goods. But we note that today it is better not to invest in opening a newspaper printing house, as experts say that this area refers to businesses that will disappear in 10 years.
It is possible to enter the market, and it is also possible to become successful. However, you should immediately understand the specifics of your company. There are already quite strong specialists in the market for printing on T-shirts and umbrellas, however, there is still a shortage of printers for workwear or sweaters.
Important business details
The image is applied to any surface by screen printing. Based on the technology, an impression is obtained by passing ink under pressure through the printing elements of a stencil form using a printing squeegee. This technology was invented centuries ago and popularly called “printing through silk”, or silk screen printing.
Unlike other types of printing, screen printing makes it possible to print various image formats, on materials of various thicknesses and structures, as well as on products. various shapes. Due to this, the range of services that can be provided with a screen printing machine is quite wide, and the cost of materials is lower than in other traditional printing areas. At the same time, the quality finished products does not suffer. The image remains resistant to various stimuli.
In our country, mass printing of silk-screen began in the mid-90s. Then an industrial stencil was made and the image was applied to the fabric with the help of paint. Now used
automatic machines that can produce up to 5,000 impressions per day. But the process itself, according to the printers, is long and costly. If there is no constant client flow, or fewer than five thousand prints are ordered, the business may turn out to be unprofitable.
Over the years, the technology of printing on various fabrics has improved, today there are extremely advanced technologies, new machines are constantly appearing that can apply images quickly to a wide variety of materials.
Exclusive on fabric
In order not to become attached to the need for numerous print runs, printers use a different method of printing on canvases, which makes it possible to quickly and successfully produce single or exclusive items. This is the so-called thermal transfer technology, the principle of which is similar to silk screen printing technology.
T-shirt printing services sell best on the mass market, printers say. And this is logical, because almost everyone wears T-shirts. In addition, they are suitable for printing experiments - it is on them that the greatest number of colors and images can be applied. In addition, printing on a T-shirt is almost half the price of printing on or workwear, so the finished product is more accessible to customers.
Initial investment
Business entry is quite low. The simplest machine for printing images on textiles in one color can be bought for 1.5 - 2 thousand euros. It can create up to 600 copies of prints per day, print on various materials– T-shirts, sweaters, jackets, etc. In addition, the machine is universal - you can work on paper. Note that the famous one became popular thanks to the sale of T-shirts with a cheerful inscription.
To open a company that can do more than a single color print order, you need expensive equipment. According to market participants, it will cost $10-15 thousand and will provide an opportunity to create a full-fledged printing company specializing in printing on textiles. Usually, it is better to have several machines. This is a guarantee of greater capital turnover. However, there is another side of the coin. Even in such conditions, it will still be impossible to produce serious circulations of products.
In total, according to market operators, these costs can range from $10,000 to $20,000. Therefore, a maximum of $40,000 is needed to enter an average printing business (however, this amount can be reduced by assessing the needs of the future company).
Calculation of payback and profitability
Optimal print runs for silk-screen printing machines are 50 - 5000 pieces. The smaller the circulation, the higher the cost of manufactured products. Therefore, you immediately need to weigh which client to focus on. With a constant load of machines, the payback period of the enterprise will take six months - a year. The profitability of the business can be more than 30%.
You can create smaller-scale printing houses, specializing in a narrow segment of services. For example, opening a company that was engaged only in exclusive thermal printing would cost $ 15,000. Profitability can be increased if you specialize in large circulations of products. But even this line of activity is barbed wire with two ends. On the one hand, you need a permanent reliable customer, losing which you lose business. On the other hand, there are large volumes of work, thanks to which investments can be recouped in a quarter of a year. But equipment suitable for the rapid application of large runs of textile products costs more - from $ 50 thousand.
Because of these factors, dozens of small firms specializing in textile coloring work on the market. There are chances to open your own printing house and make it profitable. After all, there is constant demand and competition is still negligible.
Typically, the cost of products printed on canvas depends on the size, shape, number of materials involved, circulation, color, and the like. Therefore, it is difficult to give exact prices. For example, we can take the most popular position - printing on T-shirts. An image within 20 × 30 cm will cost an average of $ 1.5 per piece. But in order for production not to be unprofitable, the minimum possible circulation is often set.
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