| Ordering Custom printed t-shirts can seem like a | | | | intensive it becomes cheaper as quantities increase. |
| monumental task when all the details that need to be | | | | So here are the advantages and disadvantages of |
| addressed come to the surface in the ordering | | | | each type of printing, From a cost stand point Digital |
| process. With a little preparation and knowledge of | | | | Printing may be better for smaller orders, Screen |
| what your printer will need ahead of time your order | | | | Printing may be better for larger orders. Digital |
| will be processed much quicker and the final results | | | | Printing works best on white or light colored shirts, |
| will have a far better chance of meeting your | | | | Screen Printing works best on Black or dark colored |
| expectations. Following are some tips that will | | | | shirts. If the possibility exists that the order may |
| increase your odds of having a good custom t-shirt | | | | need to be added to in just a few days, Digital |
| ordering experience. | | | | Printing is most definitely the better alternative as |
| At the risk of stating the obvious, the first decision | | | | Screen Printing would require another set up charge |
| to be made is the type of shirt that you will want | | | | making the extra shirts cost prohibitive. Armed with |
| the printing to be on. The landscape is broad when it | | | | this knowledge the picture starts to become more |
| comes to t-shirt selection but aside from the color | | | | clear which method of printing makes more sense for |
| there are just a few things you will need to decide | | | | your situation. |
| on. The First thing to consider is do you want a | | | | One final thing to consider before actually placing |
| standard t-shirt, or are you looking for a fashion | | | | your order is the condition of your artwork, if you |
| t-shirt? I do not think a standard t-shirt needs much | | | | have artwork. The old saying garbage in, garbage out |
| explanation as they are the basic shirt that we have | | | | is most certainly true when it comes to your custom |
| known and loved for years for dressing informally | | | | t-shirts printing. Your Printer will want the best |
| and comfortably. I am sure that you have several of | | | | possible artwork they can get their hands on, and in |
| them in your dresser drawer right now. Fashion | | | | most cases this means Vector Artwork. Generally |
| t-shirts on the other hand are typically more of a | | | | speaking artwork falls into two different categories, |
| tailored variety with closer fitting cuts and variations | | | | Raster Images and Vector Images. Without getting |
| in neck line. The second choice to be made is do I | | | | technical the main difference that affects your printer |
| want short sleeves, or long sleeves? And finally, do I | | | | is that Raster Images degrade as they are re sized |
| want a pocket on my shirts or not? It all seems | | | | and Vector Images maintain their integrity even if |
| rather basic, but none the less it pays to have | | | | they are blown up. Raster Images in a higher |
| thought these things over before making the trip to | | | | resolution will work great for Digital Printing, but can |
| your local printer, as these things will narrow your | | | | be difficult to work with for Screen Printing. Think of |
| search and save time in the final selection process. | | | | a Raster Image as the picture you take with your |
| Aside from heat transfers and sublimation, there are | | | | digital camera and a Vector Image as computer |
| basically two different types of t-shirts printing | | | | generated artwork. Unless you are planning on |
| available, Silk Screen Printing and Digital Printing. It | | | | printing an actual photograph on your shirts the safer |
| pays to be educated on this, even if just a little in | | | | bet would always be Vector Artwork. Unfortunately, |
| order to make an informed decision. Digital Printing is | | | | not everybody has a Vector format of their artwork |
| done on a printing machine very much like the paper | | | | and may not have the ability to create one. In such |
| printer you have connected to your home or office | | | | cases, and particularly for Screen Printing, you can |
| computer, the only difference is that you load shirts | | | | expect to absorb an art charge before production of |
| in it and not paper. From a set up stand point this is a | | | | your shirts can continue. The good news is that once |
| better choice for low number orders as screens do | | | | you have the Vector format you will have it the |
| not need to be made for every color in the design, | | | | next time when you reorder. |
| and all that is needed is a quality image. This can | | | | Ordering custom printed t-shirts can involve a lot of |
| make it a more economical alternative if fewer than | | | | little details, but hopefully this resource has enabled |
| 12 shirts or so are being ordered. Screen Printing on | | | | you to make more informed decisions ahead of time |
| the other hand becomes a better option on larger | | | | and avoid the additional charges and time delays that |
| orders, even though the set up is more labor | | | | can be associated with ordering t-shirts printing. |