You can express yourself as an individual in Melbourne or as a business by designing t-shirts. Whether you are looking for a one-off custom printing service for a special occasion or looking for an elaborate business product service that offers a branded compatibility to build up your business into large scales, or having a creative idea that you want to be displayed uniquely on t-shirts, Melbourne has a great capacity of t-shirt printing service for you. The local industry of t-shirt printing in Melbourne is well-devised and the most trusted companies for t-shirt printing offer you a range of beautiful and myriad t-shirt shapes and types with suitable pricing. To make a wise decision, some different kinds of t-shirt printing services have been reviewed along with essential factors that differentiate them from one another.
DTG Printing (Direct-to-Garment)
Direct-to-garment (DTG) best t-shirt printing melbourne is arguably the most modern and versatile form of t-shirt printing technology that we have today. It utilizes specialized inkjet printers to print water-based inks directly on to the t-shirt garment. DTG is the perfect choice if you want your shirt printed with very detailed, vibrant, and colorful designs. If you have a complicated multi-colored design or even a photo you want on your shirt, DTG printing is your go-to method.
Companies such as The Print Bar and Omen Providing Painting in Melbourne that provide high-end DTG printing services are focusing on quality output, attention to detail and turn around times. Digital printing is ideally set up for one-off prints or small runs when there is no setup cost of screen printing involved.
Screen Printing
Screen printing (also known as silk printing) is the oldest and most reliable method of printing a t-shirt. It is a good method for bulk orders because it can become cost-effective when printing large numbers of shirts. A screen is effectively a stencil that is made for every color in the design that is being printed. It then layers the ink onto the t-shirt using a squeegee. Screen printing is a good method for simple designs with a small number of colors, as it produces a long lasting yet durable print.
There are lots of businesses in Melbourne that specialize in screen printing; for example, PSI Screen Printing and Monster Print. They are some of the most experienced professionals that can help you print on bulk apparels for businesses, sports teams, schools and individuals. Screen printing is the go-to choice for printing high quality shirts with long lasting designs.
Sublimation Printing
Sublimation printing is a process that is particularly good for printing on polyester or poly-blend fabrics, whereby the dye is transferred through heat onto the fabric. It is a more expensive printing process but is particularly popular for sportswear as the design is embedded in the fabric so won’t fade, crack, or peel off in the long run.
In Australia, companies such as Sub Print and PrintLocker offer professional sublimation printing services at affordable rates. It’s the ideal choice for anyone looking to print customs sportswear, performance clothing or personalized gifts. People can also send their simple logo designs to have pants made or to print business promotional items. Color graphics are transferred as powder and can fill in every crevice, making it great for full-color prints, which are perfect for custom fashion and promotional materials.
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
On the other side of the bowl are t-shirts prepared for heat transfer vinyl. With heat transfer vinyl, you cut out the design from a vinyl sheet and then heat-press it on to a shirt. This is another way of printing shirts – this one is much easier to do on a larger batch of t-shirts. For heat transfer vinyl, you can create names, numbers or logos that you would apply to sport uniforms, but you can also create simple, bold designs.
In Melbourne alone, there are companies such as Tee Junction and Vinyl Tees that offer this service in small-order or customized runs. HTV creates crisp, bold prints with clean edges, which make it an excellent choice for smaller orders or designs that need to really pop on the shirt.
Eco-Friendly Printing Options
Looking at sustainability as a growing issue, t-shirt printing companies in Melbourne and other parts of Australia have started to take steps to go eco-friendly with organic printing solutions. It could be water-based inks and solvents that support sustainability in the fashion apparel industries. Or it could be fabrics that are made out of organic materials such as bamboo viscose, grown and processed with environmental consideration.
There are other printers who specialize in sustainable practices, such as Red Bubble and InkTee (which ethically produces organic-cotton t-shirts and eco-inks that are better for the environment when compared with non-eco prints).
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a T-Shirt Printing Service
Print method: You’ll have to decide before you print – depending on your order make or break will be the printing method. For bigger numbers it’s usually custom printed t shirt, but for high detail or a one-off design, it could be DTG.
Fabric: What are the shirts (or other materials like mugs or hats) made of? Some materials, like sublimation, require specific materials like polyester.
Turnaround Time: Each company quotes different turnaround times for their transcription packages, depending on whether you want a ‘rush’ job (ie, less time is needed for it to be completed, and subsequently more expensive) or if there is just a standard timeframe. It’s important to make sure the service you choose can realistically meet your deadline.
Cost: Printing costs will differ based on the printing method, number of shirts ordered, and design complexity so shop a few vendors to get the best value.
Eco-Friendly: If sustainability is key, consider companies with eco-friendly materials and paper stock processes.
Conclusion
T-shirt printing in Melbourne caters for a wide array of needs, ranging from low-volume customized printing to high-volume commercial bulk orders. From DTG to screen printing, sublimation to eco-friendly printing, there’s a t-shirt printing service that can cater to your every need. Our guide outlines the different t-shirt printing methods and the things to consider before engaging a t-shirt printing service in Melbourne. Knowing what it takes to find the best t-shirt printing service in Melbourne, we can equip you with the know-how to the make the right choice.
