T-shirts are a part of our day-to-day life. We wear them for events, sell them for fundraisers, create different garments to promote our businesses, wear them to show off our school spirit, support our favorite sports teams or musicians, wear them to exercise, or just wear them around the house for pure comfort! They are a staple in each family and company and we know that it can be a fun but overwhelming process at times to create them because of all of the options available. If you’re anything like me, you want to know what all of your possibilities are when it comes to creating your design, so here’s a run down of some of our most common options that we love to use when bringing our customer’s projects and designs to fruition!
Plastisol ink is the most common medium for screen-printing. Plastisol is typically the standard option for most shirts/garments. It is one of the most cost-effective options and has a great look and feel to it. When you see a t-shirt, whether it is for sale in a shop or handed out at an event, it is probably safe to bet that it was screen-printed with Plastisol. It’s a great option because it is available in a wide variety of colors, can be custom mixed to create the exact color you’re looking for, and it’s light weight enough to be printed on all types of garments whether it be your favorite comfy t-shirt, your dry fit tank tops, or even a koozie to keep your drink cold - the possibilities are endless. Plastisol is durable, long lasting, and inexpensive so it’s always a standard and great option for anyone looking to have their design printed!
Water based ink is often preferred by customers going for a more “vintage” look or just something more light weight. It is soft to the touch and breathable but still easy to be produced in big quantities similar to plastisol. Water based ink is a great option as well because it is long lasting and flexible and helps the design on the garment stretch and endure wear and tear while still remaining in tact and comfortable. While water-based ink typically isn’t as vibrant, because it can vary depending on the color of the garment, or as common as plastisol, it is still a great option to bring your design to life!
Vinyl is a great alternative to screen-printing when it comes to personalizing your garments. Whether you want to print individual names on the back of your shirts for a family reunion, wedding party, sporting event, etc. or get your team’s numbers on each individual shirt, vinyl is a great option and can add a great finishing touch to any garment. Vinyl is also a great alternative to embroidery. Embroidery is often used on hats, polo’s, bags, and other garments for logos and branding, however vinyl is a more cost-effective option available in a variety of colors that will really make your brand or design stand out among the crowd. Foil vinyl has become a popular option as well. Foil vinyl is available in metallic colors like gold and silver that are perfect for designs that really want to stand out, like your businesses brand or even tank tops for your next bachelorette party or event!
While this may seem overwhelming, our team is here to help you choose the best option for you and your ideas or project. There are tons of options when it comes to printing your design and we love to get to know each individual customer, their needs, and their concepts, and help them bring their design and brand to life through different mediums to create the perfect garment.
From the Desk of Kiah, our Custom Gal
Instagram: @KiahBailey
Kiah@Oklahomashirtcompany.com