Depending on age, print design experience, and print/custom garment knowledge there can be very different opinions about print quality, print placement, print types of garments, etc…
On the other side, people who buy hoodies online will often ask if they can print their own designs on them with sublimation or digital printing techniques that allow for full-color layouts. Sublimation is an ink transfer process where special paper (transfer) is heated under pressure until the dye turns into gas and adheres to the fibers of your garment. Digital printing uses an electronic process through which you print your graphic directly onto a garment using either water or solvent-based inks depending on how it needs to react with the fabric.
Whether you print hoodies online or at the print your own print shop, print quality can be important to some people. This is because the print on garments like t-shirts typically lasts longer than the graphic itself unless it is a heat-applied print, so printing a design with a solid color over another print may not be noticeable in the long run. But if there are many details incorporated into a print design, especially one that has been printed solid and placed over existing fabric prints they will likely show through the new layer of ink causing what we call an “ink bleed” effect. In this article, I will go over the different types of print materials used for print hoodies as well as examples of each.
Over the past few years, there has been a recent trend in print-on-demand services. Online print shops such as Zazzle and CafePress have seen an increase in customers printing graphics onto articles of clothing such as t-shirts and hoodies.
The results turned out to be quite interesting, with most designers saying they themselves wouldn’t print their work or recommend clients print them.
When asked if the print on demand was worth it and did the designer get paid fairly for his/her time and effort answered: “I don’t think so anymore.” said print lab fees made print on demand not worth it. “I would print something for you if I wanted to give it away, but only because the print lab charges me more money when someone else orders from my print account.”
Cyberpunk poet agrees print on demand is not right for professional work saying: “It’s a massive ripoff for people who are actually trying to make a living off of their creative skills.”
With that in mind, some designers still think print hoodies are okay for certain designs and can be viable if done correctly. The graphic artist thinks there are some designs that print well. He said the problem lies in how they are applied onto apparel which causes them to print poorly.
However, print hoodies can be printed successfully if printed correctly. /u/Crescendo_89, a print shop employee said: “If you want a print to look really good on a hoodie, the print has to be thick enough to hold up against washing and wear.”
In addition, Cyberpunk poet says the issue is print shops not using proper methods for printing on cotton apparel. In fact, he mentions CafePress leaves fuzzy areas behind after shirts are printed with their process. He said it’s due to high temperatures in the print lab they use which causes ink balls up when they roll across clothing fabric. If any readers ever print onto clothes at home or order custom designs online, be sure to use a print shop with high-quality print methods.
Here are some FAQs recently asked by print hoodies online customers:
-“Can I print a graphic onto cotton?”
Yes. Cotton is the most common fabric print shops print on and will not cause any issues. If you’re wondering, just ask your print shop what kind of clothing they print on!
-“Can I print using iron-on transfer paper?”
Yes, almost all apparel can be printed with this method. As long as it’s high quality and adheres to clothes well, do not worry about washing or wearing afterwards.
– “What if my shirt has different colors in the design?
Will they print differently during the production process?”
No. All graphics will print exactly how you designed them when printing to clothes. So even if there are different colors (such as multiple shades of red and green print onto a hoodie), they will print in the same exact manner.
-“Do print shops print on cotton/polyester blends?”
Yes! They print on all fabrics. There is a reason why most print shops print onto clothes and that’s because it’s ideal for mass production, affordable cost, and to reduce waste from dying fabric or pre-made garments such as t-shirts.
-“How do I know what print shop to use?”
You can search online for print shops near you. Most print shop websites will say what kinds of clothing they print onto so don’t worry about whether it will print correctly or not.”
In conclusion:
Zazzle’s print-on-demand service provides many artists and designers with another outlet for self-expression as well as earning money from print sales. However, print hoodies can print successfully if printed correctly. Hopefully, this article has provided readers insight into the process behind printing onto clothes and allows them to avoid poor print shops that will ruin artwork by providing shoddy printing methods.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
