Not all clothing materials are suitable for different t-shirt printing techniques due to the quality and density of the fabric. This is why it’s important to do your research before committing to a style of clothing and t-shirt printing method.

Customisation plays a significant role in choosing the most suitable material to print on. While the design looks good, it can be useless if you pick the wrong t-shirt printing method and item of clothing.

For more advice on t-shirt personalisation, click here to read our article or contact us for more information.

So, which materials are in partnership with the various t-shirt printing techniques?

Once you’ve chosen the customisation and fabric to print on, it will help determine which is the most suitable t-shirt printing method to ensure your personalised clothing is high-quality and durable.

If you’re considering embroidery, it’s recommended to print on polo t-shirts or clothing made from dense fabrics such as hoodies. This is because of the stitching and pulling of the material. A thin t-shirt such as polyester won’t be able to tolerate the constant pulling from the stitch and threading as well and can result in holes.

Embroidery is the perfect option for creating smart and professional workwear, so choosing garments such as polo t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and shirts is a fantastic option to give off a lasting impression to clients.

Cotton t-shirts and hoodies work well for screen printing, heat transfer and vinyl cutting. The fabric will naturally absorb the printing ink and heat compared to polyester materials and other artificial materials.

With heat transfer, natural fabrics such as cotton are the preferred choice due to the material being able to sustain the high heat. Polycotton materials (a combination of cotton and polyester) will also work for a heat transfer printing method. If you prefer to print on fabrics such as polyester, the temperature on the printing will have to stay low, which can extend the timeframe for the final product.

Polyester is an excellent choice for vinyl printing, as the design is first printed on transfer paper before it gets heat pressed onto the fabric.

Gildan is one of our most popular wholesale clothing brands. The diverse range of apparel means there is something suitable for all t-shirt printing methods. Gildan’s Premium Weight Ring Spun range is perfect for screen printing.

Another popular wholesale clothing brand is Fruit of The Loom. If customised hoodies are on the cards, the range from Fruit of The Loom is an ideal choice for screen printing. Likewise, with the Fruit of The Loom Value Weight T-Shirt, it’s perfect for screen printing, heat transfer and vinyl printing.

Of course, you’ll want to preserve your personalised t-shirt for as long as possible. Here are our top tips for ensuring your customised clothing is long-lasting.

• When washing your customised garments, we suggest turning the item of clothing inside out. It will help prevent the design from cracking and peeling during the wash and discolouring. 
• Avoid high-temperature washes for the same reasons. The standard washing temperature for popular fabrics (cotton and polyester) is 40 degrees. However, for customised printed clothing, we suggest dropping the temperature to 30 or 20 degrees.
• If you’re concerned about which temperature to wash your printed garments on use the ‘delicate’ or ‘cold’ wash option. Delicate washes generally use less time, which will reduce the harsh conditions from the washing machine.
• If you’re still unsure about how your washing machine will handle the t-shirt printing, or it’s temperamental, hand-washing is another excellent option. You can control the water temperature and handling of the customisation.
• Iron your personalised clothes inside out to avoid excess heat on the print, as it can also result in cracking. If you can, iron on a low temperature.
• Once your personalised clothing has been successfully washed and ironed, fold it up neatly. Hangers can sometimes stretch the garment and impact the design.

If you have any questions regarding choosing the right material for a specific t-shirt printing method, or how to care for your customised clothes, contact Buytshirtsonline today on today 01928579951 or send us an email to info@buytshirtsonline.co.uk.