which t-shirt printing process would be best for detailed prints like these?
Well, I'm a newbie when it comes to T-shirts. I hope this is the best forum for my questions. I want to get some made, but I need some education first. I have a number of questions.
1) The art I want for the shirts is based on botanical prints. Can I use art from 1800's era botanical prints, or is there some legal issue?
2) What process would be used to transfer such detailed art to a shirt? What programs or editing software? Granted, It wouldn't have to be as detailed as the actual print- of course there are limitations to what would be on a shirt. This type of art is more life like than much of the T-shirt art I've seen. It's more natural colors and detail. Would it have to be some kind of photo process? I have owned a few shirts made from photos, and seen shirts with more detailed art.
3)Are there people who specialize in preparing this type of art? I'm not asking for a referral at this time, but want to know what to ask for when looking. My final art design will combine some of the print art with words and lettering to match the same type that would have been used (font, fading to look like they go together...), and I may need some original art or at least modifications.
If you have a printer in mind, there would be the first place to start. If the printer doesn't have an artist capable of producing your design, he will probably know one. Yes, from your description, it will have to be process printing, or if a small order try DTG. There whould be someone in your area with a DTG printer.
1. Pretty much anything older than 80 years is public domain and free to use, unless it's a trademark that's still in use or something like that.
2. It's amazing what t-shirts can be made now days, there's pretty much no limit any more. It all depends on the actual art but I'm guessing your gonna want to look into Heat Transfers, DTG (direct to garment) or die-sub. I'm assuming your not going to print these yourself? If so them just research printers that have done designs similar to your and what methods they used. They'll also know what software to use.
3. Yes, there are people who prepare t-shirt art, but most printers can convert your art too.
Thank goodness for wikipedia so I could look up DTG, Heat transfer, and die-sub.
I'm also curious, how do you keep the company you are working with from sharing the art/concept with anyone else or competing? It there typically a non-compete agreement, and confidentiality?
When you have a printer do the art for me, do I then own the art and rights to it?
I don't really know about contracts because I print my own shirts, but I do know that the minute you create any piece of original art you automatically own the rights and copyright (the right to make copies, because you created it in the first place).
Someone shady could try to steal it, but as long as you can prove you have the original or show something with a date that proves you did it first, your good.
I highly doubt you would have any problems with printers try to steal your art, they work on tons of art files a day they have no interest in the art just printing the shirts. But always play it safe and make sure you date your art or have some way of proving you did it first.
And if the printer does all the art, you still own it because you paied them to do it. Although they usually retain the right to show it as a portfolio piece, but not to use it for resale.
This is a discussion about which t-shirt printing process would be best for detailed prints like these? that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
which t-shirt printing process would be best for detailed prints like these? 
