Custom T Shirts Key Terms

Make sense of the terms related to producing custom T shirts

There are several processes used when creating custom T shirts, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Knowing more about each can help you decide which one is right for your situation. Once you've decided on the process, there are other custom T shirts key terms that you will want to know about which relate to choosing the best type of shirt fabric. Some key terms help explain aspects in regards to creating an image that will result in the best graphic on your custom shirt. Learning these terms will help you choose the right printing company for your custom T shirt.

Cotton knit fabric

Fabric comes in many types, but most manufacturers make t-shirts from some kind of cotton knit fabric. Despite this narrow classification, there are still many different types, and it's good to know the differences and the benefits of each.

Pantone Matching System (PMS)

The Pantone Matching System, usually referred to as PMS, is a standard that allows graphic artists to match colors, so the color specified on a computer screen looks the same as the color printed, whether printed on paper or fabric.

Image resolution

Most customized shirts use imprinting to transfer the image from a computer to the custom T-shirt. Image resolution refers both to the size (dimensions) of an image and the number of pixels or dots per inch that make up the image. Most companies that produce customized shirts require an image that has 300 dots per inch (DPI), no matter what size it is.

Screen printing

Screen printing is one of the common methods of printing an image onto fabric. This process produces an image with multiple colors that is washable. With screen printing, you can transfer the image in different sizes.

Embroidery

Embroidery is the process of putting an image, logo or name onto fabric using complicated decorative stitching. Old-fashioned embroidery resulted in simple logos in one or two colors, but computer technology allows today's machinery to reproduce multi-colored logos and complicated designs. This process is still a relatively expensive manner of customizing a T shirt, but it also results in a classy and attractive product often worth the extra cost.

Direct-to-garment printing

Newer digital printing technology allows some companies to produce shirts with quality images at low quantities for a reasonable per-item price. These companies use a direct-to-garment printing system.

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