· Press My Crew, Chicago Ridge
How we print your shirts
We use DTF, short for direct-to-film, at our shop in Chicago Ridge. We print your design onto a clear film, add a glue powder, and press it onto the shirt with heat. The design becomes a thin layer on top of the fabric. It bends with the shirt.
DTF prints full color, photos and smooth color fades. It is not embroidery, which uses thread. It is not dye printing either, where the ink soaks into the fabric. (Our mugs are dye printed. Our shirts are not.) Want to compare methods? Read DTF vs. screen printing.
Why does a big print feel heavier?
Picture two designs the same size. One is a logo with lots of open space. The other is a solid square. The solid one covers more of the shirt. You feel it more, and it lets less air through.
Want a light, cool shirt? Try a smaller front logo, or take out big solid blocks behind your design. Just don’t cut so much that the logo falls apart.
A smooth print with a little shine is normal. Lifting edges, missing parts or a cracked print are not. If you see any of those when your shirts arrive, tell us.
The shirt matters, too
The shirt is most of what you feel. A light tee, a polo and a hoodie all feel different, even with the same print on them.
Our tee packages use the Gildan Softstyle 64000 adult T-shirt. Most of its colors are all cotton. Sport Grey is mostly cotton with a little polyester, so it feels a little different. Our garment specs page has the details.
Need a shirt that pulls away sweat, or a certain fit? Tell us how your crew will use it, and ask for a quote. A thin tee is not a sports shirt just because it is light.
Why don’t the colors match my screen?
Your screen makes its own light. A shirt only reflects light. So some bright screen colors can’t be printed exactly the same. The shirt color and the light in the room change things, too.
Send your file in RGB. Don’t switch it to CMYK hoping it will help. It usually does not. If a color really matters, tell us before you approve your proof.
White logos on dark shirts
We can print white. If your logo has white letters, keep them in the file. On a dark shirt, a white layer under the colors helps them stand out. It still can’t make every screen color possible.
Ordering the same shirts again?
Keep your logo file, the shirt style, the color and the print size together. If any of them change, the new shirts can look and feel different. Check the new proof with care, even if the last order was perfect.
Choosing shirts for a work crew? Read how to pick soft custom work shirts.
Quick questions
- Is a bigger print always better?
- No. Pick the size that suits your shirt and your message. A bigger print covers more of the shirt, so you feel it more.
- Will washing make a print softer?
- Don’t count on it. Follow the care steps, and don’t use extra heat or harsh products to change how it feels.
- Can a small logo still be clear?
- Yes, if its words and shapes are big enough to read. Tiny words may need to be made bigger or taken out.
More from the blog
- Custom T-shirts for a small team
- How much do custom T-shirts cost?
- How to pick soft custom work shirts
- Can you bring your own shirts for printing?
- When should you order shirts for an event?
- How to wash a printed T-shirt so the design lasts
- What size should a logo be on a T-shirt?
- How to get your logo file ready for a sharp T-shirt print
- Before you approve your proof: a 5-step checklist