Custom Tees

What are my options for custom tees?

We can do screenprinting, embroidery, heat press lettering, custom transfers and sublimation on tees.

What is the difference between screenprinting, custom transfers, sublimation and heat press?  

Screenprinting is a process where an image is burned into a screen, creating "holes" for the ink to pass through directly onto the garment.  A different screen is needed for each color to be printed.  The shirts then pass through a dryer to cure the ink. 

Custom transfers are made using special paper that is fed through commercial grade printers or copiers.  The paper is then heat applied to the garment.  The paper pulls away, but the image remains. 

Sublimation is similar transfers, but requires special inks that work on polyester garments, as well as ceramic and metal.

Heat Press numbers and letters are made out of a special opaque film that is heat applied to the garment.   We carry stock letters and numbers in specific fonts or we can custom cut letters and numbers from film using a variety of fonts.

What is the advantage of one process over the other?

Screenprinting is usually recommended for large quantities of garments, particularly dark shirts.  It is frequently the least expensive process, but there are artwork restrictions and it is not ideal for less than 12 pieces.

Transfers are great for single or small jobs.  They also work well for larger orders where the artwork is too detailed or has too many colors for screenprinting.  If you are looking for a photograph or child's drawing to go onto a shirt, transfers are the way to a do that.  Transfers are used on garments with some cotton content, such as a regular t-shirt or a sweatshirt.  They do tend to feel stiffer in the area where the transfer is applied and do not work well on darker colors.

Sublimation is similar to transfers, but it can only be used on 100% polyester items, such as running singlets or bike shirts.

Heat Press will work equally well on light or dark garments.  If you are looking to do individual names for a team or simple lettering on one shirt, this is usually the best way to go.  With cad, it is possible to do very simple one color graphics.

What is the turnaround ?

Standard turnaround for screenprinting is 14 days (10 business days).

Transfers and sublimation can take anywhere from 1 day to 14, depending on the quantity as well as whether the garment is in stock.  Up to 12 pieces is usually within 3 days (if the shirts are in stock).

Heat Press, again, depends on quantity, but is also available in a quicker turnaround.  Most heat press orders are completed within 1-3 days.

Can you do rush jobs?

Rush jobs are at our discretion and will entail a rush charge.   Rush charges vary depending on the job and the turnaround, but are usually based on a percentage of the total job.  Same day turnarounds are not available.

Can I get a PMS match?

We can custom mix ink for screenprinting for an additional charge.  If we create the artwork for transfers or sublimation, PMS matches are not a problem.  Heat press is only available in standard film colors.  PMS matches are not possible for heat press.  Because you are dealing with dye lots in embroidery threads, PMS matches are only approximate.