How to Put a Picture on a Shirt: The Best DIY Method

Got a plain t-shirt and thinking about jazzing it up with your own style? Maybe you want to splash a memorable photo across the front or showcase a cool brand image.

Well, you’ve multiple ways to print images on the fabric. But, in the article, we are going to talk about the best DIY method for shirt customization; something you can easily perform with a few tools, from the comfort of your home.

How to Put Designs on Shirts: 5 T-Shirt Printing Methods

There are about 9 methods to print designs on T-shirts. Among them, these five methods are well known and largely used commercially and for DIY needs:

1. Screen Printing

Screen printing is the most popular t-shirt printing method. In this process, first, a stencil screen of the design is prepared, and then ink is applied on the shirt with that stencil. Each color is applied using a different stencil, one at a time, combined to achieve the final look.

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Screen printing is best for high-quality print jobs, large orders, and designs that require vibrant, solid colors. It’s a go-to method for event t-shirts, company apparel, and merchandise.

2. Digital Printing (Direct to Garment, DTG)

DTG works much like a paper printer in an office. The t-shirt is placed in the printer, and the design is printed directly onto the shirt. This method uses a special textile water-based ink.

The method is capable of printing intricate, high-resolution images and designs. It allows for a lot of detail and unlimited colors without any additional setup. It’s perfect for small orders and print-on-demand services.

3. Heat Transfer Vinyl

In heat transfer vinyl printing, the design is printed onto vinyl and cut with a specialized vinyl cutter. Then heat and pressure are applied to stick it on top of the material surface. It’s great for single-color designs and small custom orders – a quick method for last-minute jobs.

4. Sublimation Printing

Sublimation printing uses heat-sensitive inks that get infused inside the material when heated. These inks combine well with a synthetic medium (polyester, nylon). In this case, first, the design is printed on transfer paper with a sublime printer. It is heat-pressed on the top of the fabric; the pressure and heat infuse the design into the material.

Sublimation produces vibrant, high-definition images. Since the design is not on the surface but part of the fabric, it doesn’t crack or fade. The technique is best for full-color and realistic image printing.

5. Embroidery

Embroidery is different from the other methods as it involves sewing the design onto the t-shirt using thread. It’s not a print but a thread-based embellishment.

It adds texture and a unique look to the apparel. Commonly used for adding logos to corporate apparel, uniforms, and hats.

Which T-Shirt Printing Method to Choose?

All these methods, we discussed, are great for printing on fabrics, particularly T-shirts. However, if you want to choose one method, it needs to be done after considering the various strengths and limitations of each method.

Here are the key factors to weigh in before using the method:

Quality of Print

You need to enlist your requirements. Do you need to print simple designs or ones with intricate details? Also, consider the durability i.e. how long should the print last.

Screen printing is a durable option for printing vibrant-color designs. While DTG and sublimations are great for intricate designs and high-resolution prints. But durability may be comprised in DTG.

Order Quantity

Determine the number of t-shirts you need. Screen printing is more cost-effective for large orders due to its setup process, while heat transfer vinyl and digital printing are better suited for smaller, more personalized orders.

Fabric Type

The fabric type matters as some methods work only on certain materials. For instance, the sublimation inks work best on polyester. Whereas, for both natural and synthetic materials, screen printing is the ideal choice. Embroidery adds texture and is suitable for sturdier materials.

Color Requirements

Evaluate the need for color accuracy and the range of colors in your design. Digital printing and sublimation allow for colorful or photographic prints. Screen printing is optimal for designs with fewer colors. However, if you need designs with special effects, only screen printing supports such FX inks.

Cost Considerations

Consider your budget and how the cost per item aligns with different printing methods. Screen printing becomes cost-effective for bulk orders. The modern screen printing method is also cheaper compared to other ones in terms of setup cost. DTG and sublimation printers are somewhat expensive.

Turnaround Time

How quickly do you need the T-shirts? Heat transfer and DTG can offer quicker turnaround times, particularly for small orders. Screen printing might take longer, especially when you have multi-color designs.

After considering all these factors, one method that typically shines in most areas is Screen printing. Even for small t-shirt printings or DIY needs, it’s quite cost-efficient and beginner-friendly.

How to Put Designs on Shirts: Step-by-Step Guide

Screen printing is known to be a time-consuming process with a high setup cost. Yes, the traditional method is. But if you follow the modern screen printing, one performed with xTool screen printer and laser engraver, the process is quite quick and cost-efficient.

The xTool screen printer isn’t just another screen printing machine – it’s a complete screen printing package. It shortens the screen printing time by offering pre-coated screens. They can easily be stretched with the frame, which has multiple tensioning strips and quick-pull wrenches. The best part: the design can be laser engraved on these screens in minutes. The inks for screen printing are also available within the package.

Here’s a short method to put designs on shirts with an xTool screen printer:

Step 1: Gather the Tools

To follow the screen printing process, you’ll need a laser engraver and an xTool screen-printer. The printer comes along with all the necessary accessories for printing a photo on the shirt i.e. inks, pre-coated screens, a squeegee, and a spatula. You’ll also need a laptop for operating the laser engraver and of course, a plain T-shirt.

Step 2: Get the Digital Design of the Photo

Next, you will need a digital file of the photo to be imprinted. You may transform your existing photo or create a new one on any graphic design software. If the photo is multi-colored, you will have to split the photo into layers, one color per layer.

Step 3: Engrave the Pre-Coated Screens

Now, based on the design and color, you need to engrave the pre-coated screens. Stretch the coated screens using the frame and place them inside a laser engraver. You can use an xTool D1 Pro or xTool S1 for engraving.

Connect the laptop to the laser engraver and import the design into the laser engraver software. Adjust the positioning of the screen and start the engraving.

Step 4: Setup the xTool Screen Printer

Set up and assemble the screen printer as per the user manual. Place the shirt on its bed and stretch. Then, place an engraved stencil over it. Adjust the height with the knob. Make sure the screen is very close to the shirt.

Step 5: Apply the Ink

Apply ink on the screen using a spatula, and spread it evenly with a squeegee. Change stencils based on the number of colors in the design. Wait for the ink to dry.

Your design is ready!

Conclusion

Among multiple fabric printing methods, screen printing is the most durable and low-cost method for printing photos on a t-shirt. This is the case when you’re using the modern xTool screen printer which comes with all the accessories you need to start printing.

Grab your xTool screen printer today and start surprising your friends and family with custom-designed t-shirts!

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