Ways to Design Your Shirt
If you want to have a personalized shirt that no one else owns, you can design it yourself. You do not have to buy shirts off the rack. You can just get plain T-shirts and think of ideas on what to print on them. But before you do, you should also know how to put your design on the shirt. It should be durable and can withstand multiple washes without any changes in the quality of print.
How To Put a Design on Your Shirt
Heat Transfer Vinyl
One of the easiest ways on how to print designs on your shirts is through heat transfer vinyl. This process is used both by artists and commercial professionals. Heat transfer vinyl, as the name implies, utilizes heat to place the design on the shirt. You can put letters and images on the vinyl to be used on the front and back parts of the shirt.
To be more unique in the design of your shirt, you may want to try puff vinyl. This type of vinyl expands when exposed to heat. This means that the image or letter puffs up once placed on the shirt. It creates a 3D effect on the design.
Heat press printing
This is a low-cost printing style for most home artists who want to save money while, at the same time, expressing themselves through shirt art. Heat press printing is done by creating a design on a computer and printing it on a special kind of paper. The paper is then heat-pressed on the shirt so that the design sticks to the fabric.
Screen printing
Screen printing is another way to print designs on fabric. This is a great option for artists who want to use multiple colors on the shirts and use their hands to manually place colors on them.
To do this, you must create a negative of the design on a screen. You then use a plastisol ink over the screen and press it on the fabric. The image is then created on the shirt through the stencil. Because of the flexibility of the process, you can produce complex designs for your print.
Direct-to-Film Printing
Direct-to-film printing, often referred to as DTF printing, has revolutionized the way we put eye-catching designs on t-shirts. Imagine a process where your intricate artwork is seamlessly transferred onto fabric with vibrant colors and intricate details. This method involves the use of a specialized printer like the Prestige DTF printer, which directly applies the design onto a film that is then adhered to the fabric. This technique ensures high-quality results that stand out, making it a popular choice for those seeking a unique and professional look for their personalized t-shirts.
Airbrushing
Another preferred shirt printing style that most artists use is airbrushing. This is due to the creativity presented by this process. Instead of the usual canvas, you use the shirt as your platform for painting. With airbrushing, you have the option to use multiple colors without being halted by the limitation of the process.
Airbrushing is not used commercially because of the complexity of the process. It mainly depends on the skills of the artist himself. You cannot exactly replicate the design.
Sublimation
This process of printing is one of the quickest ways to print designs on materials commercially. But you should remember that it only works on polyester material.
Sublimation works by using heat to chemically bond the dye to the fabric of the shirt. This style of printing makes it light and breathable. The print also does not peel or crack easily.
You should remember that the equipment used for sublimation is quite costly. For start-up artists, this may not be a
suitable choice. But for large businesses, this is a more cost-effective choice.
Conclusion
You have many ways to be creative with your shirt. Your imagination is your limit. You can use the suggested ways on the list above like puff vinyl, silk screen, or fabric paint. Or you can think of other ways on how to design your personalized shirt. Do not be afraid to try different styles of self-expression in terms of what you wear. Be bold and show your personality through art.