[bmodzelewski]

Hello all,

I am looking to have some tshirts printed. I am looking for a very specific final product when the shirts are completed.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions for shirt styles (specific colors needed) and printing methods... and even reputable printers that can help with what I need.

SHIRT STYLE
1. The shirts need to be a lighter weight and have a softer feel than regular gildan or anvil tshirts - the shirts should resemble the trendy lightweight thinner shirts that are popular today. Need suggestions here!

2. At the moment we are looking for 2 specific color shirts one is coral and the other is steel blue - the colors of these shirts are pretty important because they need to stay consistent with the already established brand colors. Do you have somewhere I can look to pick which colors best match what we are looking for?

PRINT STYLE
3. I want the ink on these shirts to have a vintage/distressed look - not the standard plastic scene printed look. One shirt would print only one color, the other shirt would print two colors. I'm not sure if the right way to print these is water based inks or something else. Need suggestions here!

4. The main graphic would be printed on the front of the shirts. I would like a smaller brand logo printed on the upper back, just below the neck line.

5. I would need the inside tag removed and replaced with a custom printed tag on the inside of the shirt.

thank you so much in advance!

 

[fdsales]

Lets begin at the top: What quantity? Are you looking to print these yourself, or contract out the printing?
1. Bella, American Apparel, Canvas, Alternative, just to name a few that offer 3 ounce & above lite weight shirts.
2. Alphabroder.com, the largest wholesale distributor out there. You can view styles & colors without having an account just by going to their site, and running thru the various styles & colors.
3. Water based, or digital garment printer (DTG), you probably need to contract out for both of these services.
4 & 5: This can all be done by a contract printer, but at a cost depending on quantity.
If you're doing small quantities (less than 12 of each shirt) best to find someone w/ a DTG printer, but small quantities cost much more to print.

 

[bmodzelewski]

Lets begin at the top: What quantity? Are you looking to print these yourself, or contract out the printing?
1. Bella, American Apparel, Canvas, Alternative, just to name a few that offer 3 ounce & above lite weight shirts.
2. Alphabroder.com, the largest wholesale distributor out there. You can view styles & colors without having an account just by going to their site, and running thru the various styles & colors.
3. Water based, or digital garment printer (DTG), you probably need to contract out for both of these services.
4 & 5: This can all be done by a contract printer, but at a cost depending on quantity.
If you're doing small quantities (less than 12 of each shirt) best to find someone w/ a DTG printer, but small quantities cost much more to print.

First of all, thank you for your response.

The quantity can be up there since we'll need sizes small through XXL - maybe 72 or more total.

And this would have to be through a contract printer - any suggestions for good printers that specialize in this vintage feel printing?

I want these to be a slightly higher end shirt. Seems like all these brands are lightly nicer. Would you recommend 100% cotton or a 50/50 blend?

I feel like maybe water based is the way to go because direct to garment may start to get a little more expensive.

I am thinking about having at least 1 sample created of each shirt and I know that will have to be DTG. Would the final outcome of DTG and water based screen printing be similar? So I know what to expect when getting the final shirts created?

 

[bmodzelewski]

1. i think were going with a canvas 4.2oz 100% combed ringspun cotton shirts - any thoughts?

2. looks like I found a printer that can do the vintage style but they can not print the inside shirt labels (S/M/L/ care instructions...)

Does anyone know where to send them to do it all in one shot? Or maybe a separate company that does just the inside shirt printing?

Any help/feedback/suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[kimura-mma]

1. i think were going with a canvas 4.2oz 100% combed ringspun cotton shirts - any thoughts?

I haven't used them, but I've heard good things about the Canvas/Bella lines. 4.2 oz will be a lightweight shirt, so make sure that fits in with your target market. It's probably a good idea to order a sample of each size to get a good idea of what you're using. It really comes down to personal preference and what you think your customers will want and expect.

2. looks like I found a printer that can do the vintage style but they can not print the inside shirt labels (S/M/L/ care instructions...)

Does anyone know where to send them to do it all in one shot? Or maybe a separate company that does just the inside shirt printing?

I would suggest finding one shop that can do both. Otherwise you will rack up shipping fees getting the shirts to one printer, then the other printer, then to you (or your customer).

If you qualify for contract printing, do a google search for "contract screen print in maryland" or "wholesale screen print in maryland." You should find a few good resources.

If you don't qualify for contract printing, just keep searching for local screen print shops in your area. Chances are, one will offer both services.

 

[akar]

American Apparel and District Threads also make light, trendy shirts like that. If you got a 50/50 blend and had it dye sublimated it would have that "worn" look, no hand and never fade. With a dye sub printer you could also have the instructions/sizes pressed on.