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Custom T-shirt printing is a business of pure art. Although it needs technology, the real craft is coming up with a creative design that sells. If you are a fan of custom designed t-shirts, you know what it is, but you should know the best methods, how is the process, and what are the various types of custom t-shirts, and lastly how much does it cost on average. 

What Does A Custom T-shirt Mean?

A custom t-shirt is a piece of cloth tailored for your personal preference that has a unique design and specified design, message, or branding on it for an event or a person. 

Best Printing Method for Custom T-shirts

The best printing method for customized t-shirt printing is not a single method, there are too many out there, such as Direct to garment printing, direct to film printing, t-shirt screen printing, sublimation printing are the best methods used for custom printed t-shirts. Having said that, screen printing is the most common and old custom tee shirts printing method.

How Are Custom T-Shirts Printed?

The process of customized  t-shirts is typically dissected into 8 steps.

1- Create a Design

 First create a digital design of your custom t-shirt, it is made in a vector format e.g., .AI, .EPS, or high-resolution .PNG. There is a separate screen for each color in your T-shirt design.

2- Prepare the Screen

A light-sensitive emulsion is coated on the screen. Now the emulsion needs to dry in the dark before we get to the next step of t-shirt printing

3- Image Exposure

In this step the custom design will be printed on a transparent film. The screen needs to be placed in an exposure unit with the film on top. Now the screen is washed out with water, leaving the design as open mesh.

4- Setup the Press

Once the screen is dry, it has to be placed on a printing press. The custom t-shirt is being aligned on a platen which is a flat board under the screen.

5- Using the Ink

Now ink is placed on the top of the screen. A squeegee is pulled across the screen to push ink through the open areas onto the T-shirt. This step has to be repeated for each color using different screens. 

6- Curing the Ink

After printing is finished, the T-shirt goes through a conveyor dryer to cure the ink. The process of proper curing is used to make sure  the print is durable and will not wash out or crack.

7-Quality Control

To make the best quality, final products are checked for alignment, ink quality, and defects.

8- Pack the Tee Shirt

Once the customized  t-shirts are approved by the quality control team, t-shirts are folded, bagged, and shipped or stored.

Trending Custom T-shirts

The custom tees are always in trending due to Millenials’ and Gen Z’s obsession with looks and charisma. The custom t-shirt designs range from graphic T-shirts, minimalist custom T-shirts to abstract geometric and Bold Monogram styles designs. Here is a list for some of the top Custom apparel t-shirts. 

Taylor Swift T-shirt

Official Taylor Swift T-shirt displays designs which are inspired by her albums and tours like recent, The Eras Tour. These shirts often feature album artwork, lyrics, or tour dates, with which fans get to celebrate their favorite eras of Taylor Swift's music.

Christian T-shirts

Christian T-shirts are designed to express faith and spirituality, which often feature Bible verses, inspirational messages, or religious symbols. Brands like PrintMast offer a variety of styles whose goal is to remind wearers of their beliefs throughout the day.

Disney T-shirt

Disney T-shirts are something that cater to fans of any age. They display the popular and beloved characters like Mickey Mouse, Elsa, and Buzz Lightyear. These shirts often involve colorful graphics and are available in various styles.

Nirvana T-shirt

Nirvana T-shirts, and particularly the ones having the iconic "smiley face" logo, are now timeless pieces recalling the nostalgic grunge era. These shirts are still popular among both old fans and Gen-Zs discovering the band's legacy. 

Casablanca T-shirt

Casablanca T-shirts mix luxury fashion with sportswear aesthetics, which often shows intricate patterns and motifs like tennis rackets or tropical scenes. They are made from high-quality stuff, and offer a sophisticated yet casual look.

Christmas T-shirts

Christmas T-shirts are festive relevant garments highlighting holiday-themed designs like Santa Claus, reindeer, or humorous quotes. They are best for your family gatherings, holiday parties, or as matching outfits during the festive season.

Halloween T-shirts

Halloween T-shirts get spooky and fun designs, including ghosts, pumpkins, and classic horror characters. These shirts are great for celebrating the Halloween spirit, whether you are at parties or casual hangouts with your friends.

Harley Davidson T-shirts

Harley-Davidson T-shirts are known for being iconic in the motorcycle community, which displays the brand's signature logos and designs. Made for comfort and durability, they are ideal if you are a rider and fans for sure.

Metallica T-shirt

Metallica T-shirts often display artwork from the band's albums, such as "Ride the Lightning," and are vital for heavy metal fans. These shirts allow you to show off their allegiance to the legendary band.

Spiderman T-shirt

Spider-Man T-shirts feature your popular and loved Marvel superhero in different dynamic poses or iconic scenes. They are popular among fans of all ages and are available in numerous designs and styles.

Star Wars T-shirt

Star Wars T-shirts celebrate the expansive universe of the famous franchise, it features characters like Darth Vader, Yoda, and Boba Fett. These shirts are a must-have for you if you are looking to display your love for the Star wars saga.

Barbie T-shirts

Barbie T-shirts, mostly the ones inspired by recent Barbie movies, feature the classic Barbie logo and themes in vibrant pink hues. These custom T-shirts are particularly tailored to appeal to fans of the iconic doll and fashion brand.

Anime T-shirt

Anime T-shirts normally take characters and scenes from popular Japanese animations, which cater to fans of series like "Naruto," "Dragon Ball," and "One Piece." These custom shirts are often colorful and feature detailed artwork.

Beyonce T-shir

Beyoncé T-shirts, such as those shirts from her official merchandise line, have designs inspired by her albums and performances. These shirts allow fans to celebrate the artist's music and style.

Bob Marley T-shirt

Bob Marley T-shirts pay tribute to the reggae legend, often showing his image, lyrics, or Rastafarian colors. They are popular among fans of his music and message of peace and unity.

Christmas T-shirt

As previously mentioned, Christmas T-shirts are festive garments perfect for the holiday season, featuring various holiday-themed designs.

Dog T-shirt

Dog T-shirts can refer to apparels with dog-related designs printed for pet lovers or actual clothing designed for dogs. They often showcase breeds, paw prints, or humorous canine-themed slogans.

Jesus T-shirt

Jesus T-shirts are a part of Christian apparels, particularly focusing on imagery and messages related to Jesus Christ. They often feature Bible verses, crosses, or depictions of Jesus to express faith.

How to Order Custom T-shirts?

To order  t-shirt printing online or offline you can follow a simple few steps method:

First decide which type of custom printing you want.

Select a t-shirt style whether crew neck or V neck.

Get a design for the artwork or design yourself from online sources.

Determine the quantity and place an order on a custom printing website.

Review and approve it before production begins.

Finish the payment and wait for the delivery of the t-shirts.

How to Care for Custom T-shirts?

To care for custom t-shirts, wash them before the first use, turn it inside out before washing it, avoid bleach or hard detergents. Also air dry it as much as possible, iron the shirt inside out, and store it in a cool and dry place keeping from direct sunlight.

How to Buy Custom T-shirts?

You can buy  custom t-shirts from online or local t-shirt printing stores. You can also check marketplaces like Custom Print House to buy. For events or business activities you can buy in bulk to get discounts.

How Much Does Custom T-shirts Cost?

The cost of printing custom t-shirts depends on printing method, order quantity, t-shirt quality, design quality and creativity, with additional costs like fast order, shipment charges, setup changes. However, on average you must expect to pay $15-$35 per shirt. You can also buy cheap custom tees for lower quality and design.

FAQs

Why do people buy custom t-shirts?

People buy custom T-shirt printing to express individuality, promote brands, or commemorate people or events.

Can I provide my own custom t-shirt designs for t-shirt printing?

Yes, most custom tee shirt printing services allow you to upload and print your own designs.

What is the best site to design t-shirts?

Custom Ink, Printful, and TeeSpring are top-rated platforms for designing T-shirts.

How long does it take to make a custom t-shirt?

Production of custom t-shirts typically takes 3–7 business days, plus shipping time.

What type of t-shirt printing lasts the longest?

Screen printing generally offers the most durable and long-lasting results.