Ever caught yourself staring at a banging T-shirt with a wicked design and thought, “How the hell did they make that?” Whether you’re dreaming up a cheeky tee for a night out in Camden or a stack of branded gear for your startup’s big launch in Shoreditch, T-shirt printing is like a bit of wizardry with some proper gear thrown in. If you’re wondering how it all comes together and what materials will make your tee look the dog’s bollocks, you’re in the right spot. Let’s break it down like we’re having a pint and a natter, with a nod to Exact Print, the London crew who make this stuff a doddle.

How T Shirt Printing Actually Works
Turning your random idea—a doodle, a photo, or a bold logo—into a T-shirt you can strut around London in is proper cool. There’s a few ways to do it, each with its own vibe depending on what you’re after and how many tees you need. Here’s the lowdown, like I’m explaining it to my mate over a curry:
1. Screen Printing: This is the classic, like the vinyl records of https://exactprint.co.uk/t-shirt-printing[t shirt printing]. You make a stencil (called a screen), slap on some ink, and push it through onto the tee, one color at a time. It’s mint for bold, punchy designs like logos or slogans, especially if you’re printing a load (think 20 tees or more). The colors pop, it lasts ages, and it’s cheap as chips for big orders. Only catch? It’s not great for super fiddly designs with a million colors.
2. DTG (Direct-to-Garment): Imagine a printer that just yeets your design straight onto the fabric. That’s DTG. It’s ace for detailed stuff like photos or colorful artwork, and you can print just one tee without breaking the bank. Exact Print’s DTG game is on point, making your designs look sharp as a tack.
3. Heat Transfer: This one’s like ironing a patch onto your old school uniform, but fancier. Your design gets printed onto special paper, then pressed onto the tee with a hot press. It’s quick, works for small runs, and handles full-color designs, but it might not hold up as well if you’re wearing it non-stop.
4. Vinyl Printing: Think of cutting out shapes from colored vinyl and sticking ‘em on with heat. It’s perfect for simple stuff like names or numbers—proper footy kit vibes. Tough as nails and bold, but don’t expect it to handle complex art.

Pop into Exact Print, and they’ll figure out which method’s your best mate based on your design, budget, and how many tees you’re after. You just rock up with your idea (or even a half-baked vibe), and they’ll sort the rest, whether it’s a one-off for a laugh or a hundred for your next big bash.

Picking the Right Material: Make Your Tee a Proper Star
Alright, so the printing’s sorted, but the T-shirt itself? That’s where the magic really happens. Pick the wrong fabric, and you’re stuck with a scratchy, saggy mess. Pick the right one, and your tee’s the comfiest thing you own. Here’s the scoop on what to choose, straight from the London streets:
1. 100% Cotton: The absolute don of T-shirt fabrics. Soft as a cloud, breathable, and comfy enough to live in, cotton’s your go-to for everyday tees. It plays nice with screen printing and DTG, soaking up ink for vibrant, long-lasting prints. Perfect for rocking to a gig in Brixton or a pub crawl in Soho. Exact Print’s got top-notch cotton tees that feel like a proper treat.
2. Cotton-Poly Blends: Want a tee that’s stretchy and won’t shrink to doll size in the wash? Go for a cotton-poly blend (like 50/50 or 60/40). They’re tough, hold their shape, and work with most printing methods. Ace for promo tees or sports kits where you need a bit of wiggle room, and they’re usually cheaper for big orders.
3. Tri-Blends: These mix cotton, polyester, and rayon for a silky, vintage vibe that’s soft as anything. They’re lightweight and drape like a dream, making them perfect for stylish, fitted tees. DTG prints look cracking on tri-blends, but they cost a bit more, so save ‘em for special projects like a streetwear drop.
4. Performance Fabrics: Got a 5K run or a footy match lined up? Polyester or moisture-wicking fabrics are your mates. They’re light, dry quick, and hold up with vinyl or heat transfer prints. Not the coziest for Netflix marathons, but spot-on for sweating it out.
5. Mate’s Advice: Think about how you’ll wear the tee. For chilling with mates, cotton or a blend’s your best bet for that lived-in feel. For promo gear or sports, blends or performance fabrics are the business. Not sure? Exact Print’s crew will point you to the perfect fabric and print combo to make your tee a proper belter.

Why Exact Print’s Your London Go-To
Ready to turn your idea into a T-shirt? Exact Print in Elephant and Castle is the spot to hit up. They’re not some boring print shop—they’re like that mate who always knows how to make things happen. Here’s why they’re the dogs for Londoners:
1. Quick as a Flash: Same-day printing and next-day delivery, so you’re sorted even if you’ve left it to the last minute.
2. Quality That Bangs: Soft, durable tees with prints that stay fresh, done by a crew that’s dead fussy about getting it right.
3. Design Mates: Only got a sketch on a beer mat? Their team’s ready to polish it up into something you’ll love to wear.
4. Tons of Options: T-shirts, hoodies, polos, tote bags—pick your style and fabric, and they’ll make it yours, with extras like embroidery for that posh touch.
Whether you’re printing one tee for a mate’s birthday or a stack for a startup launch, Exact Print makes it fun, fast, and proper easy.

Tips to Make Your Tee a Winner
Want your T-shirt to be the talk of the town? Here’s how to nail it:
1. Send Good Artwork: High-res files (300 DPI, PDF, or AI) mean crisp prints. Blurry pic, blurry tee—nobody wants that.
2. Match the Print to Your Vibe: Simple logos? Screen printing or vinyl’s your mate. Photos or detailed art? DTG’s the one. Exact Print will steer you right.
3. Check the Fit: Grab a sample or check size charts. A comfy tee’s a happy tee.
Think Long Game: For tees you’ll wear to death, cotton with screen printing or DTG is tough as nails.

Ready to Print Your Thing?
https://exactprint.co.uk/t-shirt-printing[custom T shirt] printing is your chance to wear your vibe, your humor, or your hustle loud and proud. With the right print method and fabric, your tee will look and feel like a million quid. And in London, Exact Print is your crew for making it happen. Swing by their shop, give ‘em a bell, or hit up their website to get cracking. From picking the comfiest cotton to landing that perfect print, they’ve got the know-how to make your idea a reality. Let’s print something proper mint—starting now!


 Discussion on "How Do You Print a Cracking T-Shirt and What Fabrics Should You Pick?" by Femi Anderson (@femianderson, 0)