Get help with creating your t-shirt graphics. Discuss t-shirt design software, special effect techniques, or other topics related to creating a t-shirt design on your computer.
Hello, I am looking to begin producing t-shirts. I've been looking into several different methods of doing this, including silk screening, and heat transfers. My question is, what method will produce the highest quality print, that optimizes breathability, comfort, and durability? I could imagine the heat transfers are easy to mass produce, but I hear they flake off after a wash or two, and they're limited to the size of your press as well. I have basic knowledge of silk screening, but I am also wondering what other methods are out there. Thanks in advance for any help
With vinyl heat transfers, it is Ok for simple design and without very fine details.
Screen printing is best in terms of durability, I bought t-shirts 6 years ago, and the printing is as nice as the 1st day I bought it.
For breathability vinyl is not the best, but you can look for screenprinting and no hand feel techniques.
The quality of the t-shirt is to be considered as well for durability.
Mass production with heat transfers ? I am not so sure, you can output more print with a manual press than with one heat press.
You have lots of informations on this forum, and consider to buy the book "How to Print T-Shirts for Fun and Profit!" which will give you valuable informations on screenprinting techniques.
Depends on what quality means to you. None of the methods maximize breathability, comfort, and durability; each method has a trade off so you have to decide what is important to you. There is more than one method of screenprinting used on shirts, there are many different kinds of transfers; some kinds can flake just as screenprinting can flake. Any of the methods can fail if done improperly. Most of the methods will last as long as the shirt, some will outlast the shirt. This whole site is dedicated to the question you ask, after spending some time reading you should have the information to ask more specific questions.
the method for maximum breathe-ability, comfort and durability is dye sublimation. This method will also allow you you use photographic quality full color images - there is a catch, however: this method only works on polyester fabrics.
Here is a newer thread about print quality of the different processes in the first post, and the second post gives good info on choosing the one that's right for you. Welcome to the forum!
I have to agree with Tania the best for breathability and great detail with any color has to be the dye sub process, but it's limited to light colors and polyester ( and now vapor apparel) shirts.
Highest quality printing technique? 
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