According to research, the size of the global custom t-shirt printing market was estimated at USD 3.9 billion in 2021. This proves how much people love customized t-shirts.
Custom t-shirts can be regarded as important marketing tools for businesses and even social movements. They also provide a platform for individual expression. There are so many options available with custom-printed shirts. As a result, people adore them and even give them as gifts and keepsakes.
Many people have developed an interest in the industry as a result of how widely used printed t-shirts are in the U.S. Let’s look into some things that you may find useful if you plan to launch a company that makes custom printed t-shirts.
Custom T-shirt Printing Mistakes to Avoid
People now mostly patronize online custom t-shirt printing shops. This is because some of these companies give customers the option to make their designs virtually. Customers do this either using the templates created by the company or designing from scratch.
This implies that you can choose your unique design and place your order. Then, the company prints it on the shirt you chose and sends you your order. If you are looking at starting a custom t-shirt printing company, you should adopt this online store business idea. You’ll be able to reach more people because of this.
However, t-shirt printing can be challenging. If you are completely new to the industry, you’re going to make some errors. However, regardless of whether this is your first attempt at screen printing on a t-shirt or not, have no worries. Here are some of the most typical t-shirt printing errors made by amateurs (and even professionals!):
- Choosing Complicated Designs
Think for a moment; what aspect of t-shirt printing is the most important? The design, right? Your design approach can make or break your masterpiece. Trying to cram too many details into a small space is one of the biggest mistakes people frequently make. Simplicity always wins over complexity in t-shirt printing designs.
However, some frequently overdo it when trying to show off their creativity. This leads to overly cluttered shirt designs. Just keep in mind that having too much going on in your t-shirt is the last thing you want.
Your design should only contain key information, with simple graphics and thoughtful color selection. The goal should be to quickly convey the message without making the audience rack their brains about what they just saw.
- Inferior Fabric
Quality is important, regardless of the use or occasion for which the shirt is being designed. This is an aspect t-shirt printing practitioners sometimes ignore. They just want to print!
The t-shirt screen printing industry offers a diverse range of fabrics. However, it is important to remember that not all fabrics should be approached the same way. Different printing methods have different interactions with fabric. It is crucial to determine which fabric complements your intended printing technique.
To make sure your customers are comfortable and receive the best value for their money, you need high-quality materials. Everyone is aware of the distinction between high-quality and low-quality t-shirts. Itchy fabrics are not appreciated by everyone, even if they have the best designs and are the least expensive. Make sure people will enjoy the feel of the fabric.
One way to ensure this is to test all the fabrics yourself before printing on them for your customers. Yes! It’s your brand, you should know firsthand how well your customer is enjoying your product.
- Excessive Contrast
A design will be more noticeable based on how much contrast it has. However, be careful not to go overboard with this style so you don’t attract the wrong kind of attention.
The visual distinction between the darker and lighter areas of the image is referred to as contrast in design. Contrast has a significant visual impact on your finished product and is a key component of color selection. For readability and visual appeal, fonts should be of contrasting shades if you have chosen bold colors for your custom printed t-shirts.
Using dark-colored prints on dark-colored clothing is not advisable. An exception would be if you want to make sure they are hidden. For example, the use of navy blue ink on black shirts or black ink on black shirts are common contrast imbalance errors to watch out for.
- Low-Quality Images or Artwork
The resolution of web images is typically low. On-screen, they look fantastic, but using them in customizing t-shirts is not recommended. The image should have a high resolution of about 300 dots per inch (DPI) for designs to look sharp and professional.
Anything lower than that will result in images that are too blurry for t-shirt printing. In t-shirt design, images are essential. You don’t want to make a mistake with this.
- Wrong Fonts Usage and Spelling Errors
The typography and fonts you choose should reflect the level of professionalism you want to project. Put the words in a logical order, and try to avoid using too many different fonts on the same layout.
Always double-check the wording and spelling when printing logos, initials, monograms, etc. to ensure it is flawless. If it helps, ask a friend or a coworker to check it out as well. This way, you have at least had a few people look it over.
Paying attention to detail is crucial in avoiding mistakes and spotting them before the t-shirts are mass produced. Keep in mind that errors are very difficult to correct once the design has been printed. It may cost you a lot to redo the printing.
- Wrong Placement
Placement includes not only where you put your designs but also how you measure them to fit in with their surroundings. When it comes to placement, placing the design on the belly area is a typical custom t-shirt printing mistake.
Placements can be very technical, but here is a good rule of thumb to follow. Your print should be placed so that it extends from the center of the chest, regardless of size. Nobody wants an unflattering belly print, which is what happens when a design is positioned too low.
Final Thought
Every designer wants their clothes to be a must-have for their customers. This article aims at not just showing you the errors but also guild you to avoid them. Your product has to be top-notch because one customer can get you a hundred more customers.
Additionally, learning never ends. To always satisfy your customers with your custom t-shirt, you must be open to learning as you go. It is advisable to search online for a t-shirt printing company that has the required experience.
There are some that can at the very least give you their professional opinion. Even if you have to pay, kindly do it. When you add this to the other information in this article, your business will reach new heights.
