What method was used for this shirt, and how can I copy it?
Hi!
About three years ago, I went to a gig and bought the band's shirt, like I usually do. This shirt is different to every shirt that I've bought though, as it has lasted extremely well with no cracking or fading. I wanted to find out what method was used to make this t-shirt so I can make my own shirts using the same method. I hope it's ok if I can ask this here, and hopefully find out
The shirts label says it's made by Continental, and is 100% cotton. The design has several colours on it, and seems to be printed on. A small amount of what I guess is the ink has leaked through onto the inside of the shirt. It cost £25.. but band shirts are always expensive!
Here are some pictures on my webcam, the colours haven't come out too well, but I hope you get the gist!
Design on the shirt:
The design on the front is quite thin, it's like the cotton threads are coloured:
Inside of the shirt:
I'd very much appreciate any help, thanks for reading
Re: What method was used for this shirt, and how can I copy it?
Looks like to me it was screen printed using simulated process. All of the inks are opaque so that is why you see no fading. Looks like multiple passes of base white (reason for bleed through) and isn't cracking because it was heat cured correctly. Cracking usually occure when they have not been cured long enough.
I have a softball t-shirt I have had for over 10 years now and wear often, it is white printed and has just recently started to crack.
Cheers,
Tracy
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Re: What method was used for this shirt, and how can I copy it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fredthedeadhead
Hi!
About three years ago, I went to a gig and bought the band's shirt, like I usually do. This shirt is different to every shirt that I've bought though, as it has lasted extremely well with no cracking or fading. I wanted to find out what method was used to make this t-shirt so I can make my own shirts using the same method. I hope it's ok if I can ask this here, and hopefully find out
The shirts label says it's made by Continental, and is 100% cotton. The design has several colours on it, and seems to be printed on. A small amount of what I guess is the ink has leaked through onto the inside of the shirt. It cost £25.. but band shirts are always expensive!
Here are some pictures on my webcam, the colours haven't come out too well, but I hope you get the gist!
Design on the shirt:
The design on the front is quite thin, it's like the cotton threads are coloured:
Inside of the shirt:
I'd very much appreciate any help, thanks for reading
Does it penetrate the fabric and does the ink is noticeably not that thick then I suppose it was done using discharge inks.
Re: What method was used for this shirt, and how can I copy it?
I was thinking the same thing as J... it could be waterbase discharge inks. That is quite popular these days with some if the bigger brands like Affliction and Ed Hardy.
It wold be tough to do discharge printing yourself, unless of course you own a print shop. Discharging is different than the standard screenprint method, in that it actually releases the dye that is used to color the shirt. Because of this chemical process, it needs to be done in a proper ventilated environment by an experienced pro.
Re: What method was used for this shirt, and how can I copy it?
Thank you very much for your replies . I'll look into the methods you've described, it's a shame though because I think they're not very applicable for one-offs, which is what I wanted (I have no access to t-shirt printing equipment at all, I'd have to do it at home).
This is a discussion about What method was used for this shirt, and how can I copy it? that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
What method was used for this shirt, and how can I copy it? 
