Make Sure to Get what You Want When Designing a T-Shirt Online

To some t-shirt design is an art. They strive for the perfect balance between text and art, consider font color and fabric hue and try to create the perfect logo, slogan or mantra. For many a t-shirt can express to the world who they are and what they think. Internet and printing technology has made it possible, fast and cost effective to create and wear your own t-shirt art, but sometimes what you see on the screen isn’t what arrives in the box. Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing your shirt online.

Printing Methods

Screen printing, not long ago this was the only method for printing on shirts. This is the process of transferring an image or text to a garment using a stencil method in which a design is imposed on a screen of silk or other fine mesh, ink is than forced through the mesh onto the printing surface. This is still the most common type of shirt printing and is usually used in large orders like team sports and organizations.

Digital printing is quickly becoming a popular choice, because advanced technology allows the image to be electronically placed onto the garment. Additionally, you are not required to place a large order for cost effectiveness. Digital printing allows you to create and print one shirt and still have comfort, flexibility and durability.

Flex and Flock Printing are new to the t-shirt scene. However, they are fast becoming popular options. Flex printing transfers an image from a special foil through an immense amount of heat and pressure. Flock images are similarly transferred, but the material has a fuzzy velvet feel.

Images

Every choice you make when designing a shirt will depend on your image. You cannot choose garment color or type without knowing what you will place on it. Images should be simple and easy to see or read. Often complex images with many colors and shades will appear blurry, grainy or smudged.

Upload your image in it’s largest available dpi. The bigger the image is when it is created the better it will look when it is shrunk down to fit a shirt. Many online sites suggest never submitting an image less than 300 dpi. Additionally, many prefer vector graphics. Vectors are made with curves as apposed to pixels. Curves are less likely to appear grainy when increased in size. Vector graphics can be made using software like Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw and usually have an AI or EPS file name.

Only submit original work created by you and not protected by copyright laws. Most images, logos, phrases and celebrities are copyrighted material and you need permission by the original artist or copyright holder to use it.

Color

Most printers use the CMYK color pattern. This is Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. Typically the more colors you choose, the more expensive your shirt will be. Especially when using screen printing methods. Each color has to be separated from the original image and then placed onto the shirt in sections. Most shirts printed for teams, companies or organizations only use one or two colors.

White is a tricky color. When placing an image on a white shirt you usually want to avoid using a predominately white image. Typically, an online designer will ask you if you want to remove the white from your image. Anything that was white in the image will be seen as material. Additionally, avoid using white on black or extremely dark colored garments. Most times, there are several measures that need to be taken to prevent the dark garment from bleeding though the white print.

Garment Selection

Shirt selection depends on your image and price range. Most online design services provide you with a large selection of clothing choices. Typically, the more it costs the better the quality. Again, keep color in mind. It’s better to place dark images on light colors and vice versa.

Additionally, clothing containing polyester is prone to bleeding. Most suggest using 100 percent cotton. However, flex prints work better with polyester than screen prints.

Customized online t-shirt creation services have opened the door and made it possible for everyone to have an affordable and fun avenue to express themselves. With careful planning and a bit of printing knowledge you can design a great looking t-shirt that perfectly reflects your creativity.

Resources

Asap Screen Print Co. (n.d.). Custom screenprinting tips and guides from asapshirt.com. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.asapshirt.com/spdesigntips.htm

Jeff Proctor. (n.d.). Choosing the Correct Union White Plastisol. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.ryanrss.com/2ChooseWhitePlas.html

UberPrints, Inc. (2004). UberPrints.com Help Center. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.uberprints.com/help/top/studio/?id=help