How to Print T-Shirts: A Complete Guide to Custom Printing Methods

Stork Print Professionals is a sublimation printing company, specializing in customized T-shirts, polo shirts, and sportswear in Pattaya, Thailand. If you are looking for branded uniforms or a sports team that needs personalized jerseys, you don't have to worry because we guarantee high quality and prints that last.

In this guide, we will discuss the types of T-shirt printing methods, specifically sublimation printing, and how to create custom designs that will definitely stand out.

Methods of Printing T-shirts

There are different methods involved in printing t-shirts. Each comes with its advantages based on the design, fabric, and quantity of the t-shirts needed. The common methods are:

• Sublimation Printing

• Screen Printing

• Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing

• Heat Transfer Printing

• Vinyl Cutting

Now let us examine each approach in detail.

1. Sublimation Printing: The Best for Vibrant, All-Over Prints

When you apply heat and pressure to transfer dye to fabrics made of polyester or polymer-coated materials, it is known as sublimation printing. In contrast to the other processes, the dye gets into the fibers of the fabric and does not remain floating on top; as a result, you get an image that is soft, breathable, and light resistant.

How Sublimation Printing Works?

• Design Creation – Your artwork is printed using special sublimation paper and dye-sublimation inks.

• Heat Transfer – The printed design is placed on the material and pressed at high temperatures (approximately 400°F or 200°C).

• Ink Sublimation – Hence, the ink heats up and turns into a gas, fusing into the polyester fibers.

• Cooling and Finishing – It subsequently cools down, finally adhering the design to the material.

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Best Fabrics for Sublimation

• 100% Polyester - Will give the brightest colors.

• Polyester Blends (at least 65% polyester)- It's okay, but less bright than 100% polyester.

• Polymer-Coated Materials - Some of the cotton blends can be sublimated if pre-treated.

Mesh Fabric 150gr/sqm

✅ Best for: Polyester fabrics, all-over prints, sportswear, and vibrant designs.

Advantages

• High-resolution, full-color prints

• Soft feel (no extra layer on the fabric)

• Durable and resistant to washing

• Perfect for complex designs and gradients

At Stork Print Professionals, we utilize the top quality sublimation techniques to make sure your T-shirts, polo shirts, and sportswear look smart and professional.

B. Screen Printing

An -old method wherein color is pressed through a stencil (screen) on the fabric.

Example of screen printing

✅ Best for: Bulk orders of cotton T-shirts, simple designs with a small number of colors. 

Advantages

• Inexpensive for large orders.

• Bright, opaque colors that stand out. 

• Lasts long if done properly.

  
  

C. Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing

DTG printing is comparable to inkjet processing; it applies ink directly on the fabric. 

Best used for: small runs, highly detailed designs, and cotton fabrics.

Advantages

No setup costs (great for small orders)

High detail and color accuracy

Soft print feel

D. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

Vinyl is manually cut into a desired shape and heat pressed onto the T-shirt.

Best used for:  simple logos, text, and single-color designs. 

Advantages

Good for small runs

Durable and bright

Printing T-shirts using Sublimation: A Complete Stepwise Guide

Step 1: Design your T-Shirt

• Adopt graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or Canva.

• Make sure your design is high resolution (300 DPI) for sharper prints.

• For sublimation, bright colors are used, as they transfer better onto polyester.

💡 Pro Tip: If you need help designing, our team at Stork Print Professionals can assist you!

Step 2: Choose the Right Fabric

• Sublimation is most effective for polyester or polyester-blended fabrics (at least 65% polyester).

• Best performance will be achieved by white or light-colored fabrics.

Step 3: Print the Design on Sublimation Paper

• Sublimation Printer, using dye-sublimation ink to transfer designs onto sublimation paper.

Step 4: Heat Press the Design onto the T-Shirt

• The printed paper is pressed against the fabric using a heat press machine (190-210 deg C) for 30-60 seconds.

• This causes the dye to become gas and permanently bond to polyester fibers.

Step 5: Peel & Finish

• It is peeled after it cools down, producing a vibrant, seamless print.

• The result is a soft, breathable, and wash-resistant T-shirt.

🎥 Watch our sublimation process on YouTube!

3. Why Choose Sublimation Printing?

At Stork Print Professionals, we believe Sublimation Printed T-Shirts in Thailand

 because:

✔ Unlimited Colors & Designs: With sublimation, you can photorealistically print images and gradients and intricate patterns.

✔ No Cracking or Fading: Unlike screen printing, sublimation won't peel over time.

✔ All-Over Prints: You can put seamless designs all over the T-shirt (ideal for sports jerseys).

✔ Environmentally Friendly: Our process utilizes solar energy and eco-inks.

4. Custom Design T-Shirts for Businesses & Teams

Interested in branded T-shirts, uniforms for a team, or some promotional apparel? Here is what we can do for you:

A. Corporate Branding

Company logos

Employee uniforms

Event merchandise

B. Sports Teams

Customized jerseys

Player names & numbers

Sublimated apparel

C. Souvenir & Gift

Personalized T-shirts

Holiday prints

Special occasion prints

5. Stork Print Professionals: Why They Should Be Your 1st Choice?

📍 Their location in Pattaya, Thailand: Allows them to guarantee a speedy production and shipping system.

🌿 Eco-Printing – A solar-run factory and DHL GoGreen shipping.

🖨 Superior Sublimation – Rich and durable prints.

👕 Customization – From single pieces to bulk runs.

Are You Ready to Print Your T-shirts?

Contact us now for a quote, and let us bring your designs to life.

🔗 Follow us on our YouTube channel for printing tips & behind-the-scenes work!

Final

Printing custom T-shirts doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right method (like sublimation printing) and a trusted partner like Stork Print Professionals, you can create high-quality, personalized apparel that lasts.

Whether for business, sports, or personal use, we’re here to help you make an impact—one print at a time. 🚀

Let’s create something amazing together!