We love working on getting our customers’ custom designs printed on t shirts. A great custom design should most definitely be paired with a great t shirt! We enjoy the wide variety of designs that we are asked to print and to create for our customers.
What are some things to consider when designing for custom t shirt printing in Singapore?
At a Glance
For a custom T-shirt design that looks good when printed, start with the audience, choose a controlled colour palette and use readable fonts. Then select a suitable fabric and printing method based on the artwork, order quantity and intended use. Ark Industries can review your design and recommend an approach for corporate apparel, events or merchandise.
1. Know who are you are designing for
Understanding the visual language that the audience is familiar with and including the graphic elements in your custom t shirt design helps the audience to relate more to the design.
For corporate T-shirts, think about where the apparel will be worn. A staff uniform may call for a subtle company logo, while an event T-shirt or promotional giveaway may benefit from a more visible design. Consider whether the artwork will still be recognisable from a distance.
2. Be selective with your colour choices
Sometimes less is more! A 2 colour customised tee shirt design might be more impactful than a 7 colour design. We recommend choosing complimentary colours and a controlled colour palette to create a holistic, overall theme for your custom t shirt design.
You can also consider using a tone-on-tone colour scheme, for example, a black print on black t shirt! The difference in the textures of the print and t shirt provides just enough contrast for the artwork or the text to be seen. Subtlety at it’s best!
If you are printing a company logo, share your brand colour references with the supplier. Print colours can appear different on different fabrics, so review the proposed print method and colour outcome before confirming production.
3. Choosing font types
A good font type can be the highlight of your customised tee shirt design. Choosing 1 or 2 font types for your t shirt design is ideal to create a controlled aesthetic quality for your custom t shirts. With so many font types to choose from, be sure To dedicate some time to select the most suitable font types for your design.
Before finalising your artwork, check that small text is legible at the actual print size. Fine lettering and thin lines may need adjustment depending on the printing method and fabric.
Choosing the T-Shirt and Printing Method
A great t shirt design should be on a good quality t shirt.
First up, which type of fabric material for you prefer for your t shirt? Will it be cotton, polyester or a blend of polyester and elastane? Each material has specific properties to them, such as moisture absorbency, sweat wicking and stretch.
For example, cotton may suit casual merchandise, while performance fabrics may be more appropriate for outdoor events or sports activities. The garment’s fabric composition also matters when assessing which printing techniques can be used.
There are many brands to choose from for your custom t shirt order. Some common brands are Gildan and Crossrunner, however there are also the very well known brand names such as adidas and Under Armour. Consider printing your custom design on adidas polo tees or even Under Armour running tees.
With the design of the custom t shirt and the choice of t shirt type, the next thing to do is to choose the best way to print on your required quantity of t shirts. The custom tshirt printing method for a 10 t shirts order may differ from the t shirt printing method for a 100 t shirts order.
For a lower quantity order such as 10 t shirts, we would recommend the Heat Transfer Printing method for your custom t shirt design. This involves cutting your artwork out from a roll of vinyl material, weeding it out from the vinyl, before using heat and pressure to seal the vinyl to the t shirts.
For higher quantity orders such as 100 t shirts, the t shirt printing method we will most likely recommend is the Silkscreen Printing method. This means that screens are set up for each of the artwork of your custom t shirt design and ink is applied through the screens onto the t shirts.
The quantities above are examples, not fixed rules. The most suitable method also depends on the number of print colours, design detail, garment fabric and production requirements. Ask Ark to review your specific artwork before deciding.
The above 2 custom t shirt printing methods are very suitable for solid colour t shirt designs. If your custom t shirt design includes many colour shades and gradients, or the entire t shirt needs to be filled with a repeating pattern, the t shirt printing method we would recommend is the Sublimation Printing method. Dye is transferred onto the fabric of the t shirt and you will not be able to feel the print on the t shirt as the dye would seep into the fabric itself.
Sublimation is generally suited to compatible polyester-based fabrics and products. If you have a specific cotton T-shirt or branded garment in mind, confirm the available printing options before designing around this method.
What to Prepare Before Requesting a Quote
To help the team assess your design, share your artwork file, preferred T-shirt style and fabric, estimated quantity, print size and positions, and required delivery date. If the order is for a company, include any brand guidelines or colour references. This makes it easier to discuss printing options and identify adjustments early.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is silkscreen printing always better for bulk T-shirt orders?
Silkscreen printing can be cost-effective for repeated designs in larger quantities, but the right choice depends on the artwork, number of colours, garment and total order requirements. - Can I print a gradient or photographic design on a T-shirt?
Some printing methods are better suited to gradients and detailed artwork than others. Share the artwork and garment type so Ark can advise on a suitable technique. - What artwork format should I provide?
Original vector artwork is helpful for logos and text-based designs. If you only have a raster image, send the highest-quality version available and ask whether it is suitable for the intended print size. - How do I choose a T-shirt for a company event?
Consider who will wear it, whether the event is indoors or outdoors, how the fabric feels, and whether the design and sizing will work across the team.
Get Your Company Logo T-Shirts Started
Planning custom logo T-shirts for your staff, corporate event or team? Explore Ark’s T-shirt printing services and embroidery services. Send Ark your logo, estimated quantity and preferred delivery date through the contact page so the team can advise on a suitable garment and customisation method.
