A customised t-shirt could be a great way to stand out from the crowd, rally a group of people, or promote a brand, particularly in this colourful city landscape of Singapore. Whether creating one for a corporate event, a school gathering, or merely for personal use, making your very own customised t-shirt is a great deal of fun and highly rewarding. In Singapore, there is certainly no lack of choices when it comes to getting a customized t-shirt to show off your personality or be a brand ambassador.
This post will take you through the steps and considerations involved in creating your own custom-made t-shirt in Singapore, from selecting the right materials up to choosing the best printing techniques.
Why Choose Customised T-Shirts in Singapore?
Custom t-shirts have become in-demand items to meet personal and corporate needs. Here are some reasons why most people in Singapore require custom t-shirts:
- Brand Promotion: Customised t shirt Singapore offer a cost-effective way to market your brand. By printing your company logo or slogan, you turn every employee or customer wearing your t-shirt into a walking billboard.
- Corporate Identity: Uniforms foster team spirit and help staff feel valued. Customised t-shirts ensure that your employees look professional and unified during events or at the workplace.
- Personalised Gifting: For special occasions like birthdays, family reunions, or weddings, custom t-shirts can serve as memorable keepsakes that everyone will treasure.
- Event Merchandise: Whether it’s a school event, charity fundraiser, or sports day, custom t-shirts make for great merchandise or giveaway items that people can wear with pride.
Step 1: Choosing the Right T-Shirt Material
Material choice will be the very first step in the designing of any kind of customised t-shirt. For Singapore’s hot tropical climate, one will need something that is breathable and comfortable to wear. A good custom t-shirt will make the wearer feel confident and comfortable. Chances are, the t-shirt will be worn repeatedly!
Here are some popular fabric choices:
- Cotton: A very popular, classic material. It can be used as a corporate uniform, casual daily wear and at family events. Depending on the range of cotton fabric that your supplier offers, usually they come in different thickness such as 180gsm or 230gsm. Something to note is that cotton tends to shrink after wash.
- Polyester: Polyester is super durable and usually comes with a moisture-wicking function, which is commonly made into sportswear and t-shirts intended to be worn outdoors. Such polyester fabric will help the wearer feel cool and dry in hot and humid weather. Polyester fabrics come in different textures, some have eyelets and honeycomb texture, while some are flat and smooth. Unlike cotton, polyester fabric does not shrink.
- Cotton-Polyester Blend: This blend combines the comfort of cotton with the durability of polyester. Compared to cotton, cotton-polyester blend fabrics do not wrinkle as easily, making it more convenient. It’s perfect for uniforms, corporate events, and casual wear that requires frequent washing.
- “Dry-Fit/Dri-fit”: Most people are familiar with the terms “dry-fit, dryfit, drifit, dri-fit”. They are made popular by the sportswear company, Nike. Generally, people are looking for a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric. A top choice for athletic events or outdoor activities, dry-fit materials are designed to absorb sweat and dry quickly. They are perfect for team-building events or sports days.
To elevate your look or brand identity, consider using branded, high quality t-shirts made by international companies like adidas, Under Armour, Gildan and Puma. With the brand association, the value of t-shirts are perceived to be higher. The performance fabrics by these sportswear companies are suitable for the hot tropical weather in Singapore. Some of the shapes, fit and cutting of the t-shirts are specially designed to suit different sporting activities.
Step 2: Selecting the Best Printing Method
The second step after deciding on the kind of fabric that you would need for your T-shirt is to choose the printing technique. Depending on the artwork design, budget and objective of the T-shirt, some print techniques may be more suitable than others.
Here are some popular t-shirt printing methods available in Singapore:
- Silkscreen Printing: This is one of the most widely used and economical methods; it is suitable for higher quantity bulk orders. It is very suitable for simple artwork or text designs consisting of a few colours. Opt for high-density silkscreen prints for a thicker print on your tshirt. Silkscreen inks are favoured for their durability!
- Heat Transfer: Printing designs onto a t-shirt by applying heat to a vinyl sheet. The vinyl sheet could be a solid color or printed with your artwork. This is the best method for complex and detailed artworks, but not as durable as silkscreen prints.
- Direct-to-Garment (DTG): Extremely detailed art works are printed straight into the fabric. Best for small orders and designs that require high detail. The best method for full-colour prints with no hand-feel.
- Embroidery: While this is not a print method, this is a popular embellishment method that should be considered. A top choice for corporate logos and text! Embroidery gives your order that premium feel and appearance. It is very professional for corporate t-shirts or uniforms, and it’s extremely durable especially with color-fast high quality embroidery threads.
Step 3: Designing Your Custom T-Shirt
Designing artwork for custom t-shirts can be fun and the possibilities are endless! Consider these things when developing your t-shirt design:
- Logo Placement: Logos on corporate tees are commonly placed on the chest or sleeve for good visibility. Some choose to have the logo printed big on the back or front chest for even higher visibility.
- Colours: Ensure that you select colours that are aligned with your brand identity or event theme. Note also, that some designs work better on light colored fabric than on dark fabric. Depending on budget and print technique, your custom t-shirt supplier may advise to reduce the number of colors in your artwork.
- Font and Typography: When you apply text, ensure that the font is legible and communicates your message or corporate brand. Strong, simple fonts work very well for corporate apparel while decorative fonts are better suited for custom or event tees. Custom t-shirt suppliers may review your design and depending on the preferred embellishment type, adjustments to the font may be required.
Step 4: Ordering and Lead Time
A top concern for most people about customising t-shirts is the lead time.
If you require a sample for your custom t-shirt, allow at least a week for the sample to be produced.
Some Singapore-based companies offering t-shirt printing services have fast turnarounds and some can deliver within 3 to 5 days if a rush order is required by the client. For bigger orders or tshirts with complex designs, it is recommended to factor in at least 2-3 weeks for bulk quantity production.
Step 5: Choosing the Right Supplier in Singapore
Consider these factors for the selection of the custom t-shirt supplier to work with:
- Experience and Reputation: Quality products by an experienced company is a must! Customer reviews should show a high level of satisfaction with the custom t-shirt supplier’s products and services.
Price: While cost is a significant factor, quality should not be compromised. Compare prices across different suppliers and choose one that offers value for money without cutting corners on quality. - Customer Service: Good customer service is essential, especially when it comes to custom orders. You’ll want a supplier who can guide you through the process, offer advice on designs and materials, and ensure that your order meets your expectations.
- Customization Options: Make sure the supplier offers a wide range of customization options, including various printing methods and t-shirt styles. This will allow you to create a truly unique product.
Step 6: Caring for Your Customised T-Shirt
Here are some wash care tips to extend the lifespan of your custom t-shirts:
- Washing: Please keep the t-shirt inside out before washing. This reduces any chances that a print might get damaged by cleaning agents. Avoid using warm or hot water because it may cause fading or cracking on the print.
- Drying: Do not tumble dry the custom t-shirts. Line dry or lay them on flat surface to dry.
Ironing: If necessary, iron the t-shirt inside out to avoid burning the prints.
Conclusion
Planning your own customized t-shirt in Singapore can be pretty fun and exciting, creative and fulfilling. Whether you are making t-shirts for corporate events, personal events or t-shirts to be sold as merchandise, permutations of fabric material choices with different printing methods can be virtually endless. Through knowing the details above and by selecting the right supplier, your customized t-shirts will enhance your events, making them more memorable!
Our team at Ark Industries is committed to working with our clients to produce fantastic customised t shirt Singapore to your satisfaction and meet your order’s requirements; contact us today to get started on your custom t-shirt journey!
