Here is a few tips for people looking for fast turnaround screen
printed t-shirts. (These advises are for people looking for fast screen
printed t-shirts instead of digitally printed t-shirts. Digitally
printed t-shirts are done in a different process than screen print
t-shirts, they have the advantage in speeding up the process since they
do not need color separation and screen burning process. However screen
printed t-shirts have better imprint color quality as well as better
imprint longevity.)
Here is a check list for you to speed up your custom t-shirts job.
How ready is your artwork? Artwork can be categorized into 2 groups
based on their origins. First are scanned images and second are
computer generated images. In the first group, paintings, photographs,
printed materials or the similar are scanned and save as digital files
of your artwork. Quality of your digital artwork has a lot to do with
your scanning resolution. Normal requirement is 300 dpi (dot per inch).
However keep in mind that your reproductions will not be better than
your originals. So no matter how high your scanning resolution is, you
are simply not getting a better reproduction image if your original is
not. So in a nutshell for people using this group of artwork, find the
best quality original you can. Scan it at 300 dpi or better. Save it
and send it to your printer without re-sizing it. The file size of your
scanned image will potentially be big. However, supportive printer
should be able to accommodate your file sending by either increasing
the mail box size or arrange a FTP transfer for you. In the second
group, computer generated images, we have 2 sub-groups which are raster
images and vector images. Raster images are resolution dependant images
such formats as tiff, jpg, psd.
The only requirement for this group is to make sure they are created
in actual imprint size (or close to actual imprint size), and are in
300 dpi as original resolution (not resample resolution). The file size
of this sub-group is potentially big, make sure you talk to your
printers about the size of your artwork file before sending. The second
sub-group is called vector based images such formats as ai, eps. They
are resizable, non-resolution dependent artwork. Their file size are
usually reasonable. They are very welcome by most printers due to their
non-resolution dependent nature. When you submit vector based images,
just make sure you create outlines for your type (so your printer won’t
run into missing font problem when opening your artwork), your image is
created at actual size or close to actual size. And of course if you
have a printer who is knowledgeable and capable in preparing artwork
for you for a reasonable cost, that could be your best bet in making
sure you don’t waste time going back and forth on artwork format and
requirement with your printer.
Do you know the type of shirts you want? There are many choices of
shirts you can get . Make sure you did your homework and know what you
want when placing an order for your custom t-shirts. If you just want
basic t-shirts, it is pretty simple. Even though there are many brands
of basic t-shirts, they are normally in 2 classes of fabric weight, 5.6
oz and 6.1 oz. Then you have pocket and non-pocket t-shirts for each
weight, as well as long sleeve and short sleeve t-shirts. Beside basic
t-shirts, you will have fashion fitting t-shirts such as American
Apparel and Tultex, these are slimmer fitting than the basic t-shirts.
They are in ring-spun 30 single fine jersey fabric, meaning softer and
finer fabric. Then we have even more choices for girls and ladies
t-shirts such as cap sleeve, raglan 3/4 sleeve, scoop neck, boys beater
tank tops, baby doll spaghetti, ringer t-shirts, camouflage t-shirts
etc…
Do you research on t-shirt styles ahead of time will not only save
you time, it will allow you to find the best style for your event.
If your custom t-shirts job requires individual names or numbers
printed (such as team numbers), prepare a list to indicate the names or
numbers and their sizes to expedite the process.
If there is dead line to meet, make sure your printer is aware of it as well as taken shipping time into consideration.
If you are under press of time and without artwork. Ask if your
printer has any kind of ready art library that you can pick and ask
them to modify to fit your requirement. It will be much faster than
having yourselves starting from scratch.
Give your printer the Pantone number to indicate your imprint color
when submitting your t-shirts order. This will save some time in
communication and help speeding up your order.
Your printer should provide a paper proof for you to review the
accuracy of your custom screen print t-shirt order. As soon as you
finish your review, get back to your printer immediately so they can
process your order right away.
Last but not least, there are shipping options such as 3-day select,
2nd day air and next day air to accommodate your need in speed. Ask for
full price quote with different shipping options from your printer.
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