Best Places to Order Custom T-shirts Online for Any Occasion
Ever hopped on a flight or entered a restaurant only to find a lively bunch wearing matching t-shirts? This seemingly quirky display can add a delightful touch to any celebration or special occasion, taking it up a notch. Custom t-shirts work wonderfully as swag gifts at weddings, giving guests a distinctive and wearable souvenir.
Beyond festivities, customized t-shirts serve as a powerful marketing tool for small businesses and an excellent way to foster community spirit and morale within charitable organizations or community sports teams. They also make for a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind present for your closest friends, beloved partners, or cherished siblings (without picking any favorites, of course).
No matter your custom t-shirt needs, rest assured there's an online platform out there to cater to them.
Custom t-shirts offer a fantastic opportunity to stand out and create brand equity, whether for your company, an event, or a non-profit organization. However, achieving outstanding results requires more than merely purchasing plain white t-shirts for men or women. The process includes discerning attention to the quality and appropriateness of the design to be printed. Here are a few things to remember when ordering custom t-shirts online:
Design
To ensure your design translates beautifully onto fabric, factoring in resolution, copyright, design editing, and color considerations is vital. Here's how to guide your process:
Resolution and Format: For quality prints, your design needs to be in a high-resolution format, preferably vector. This will prevent it from appearing pixelated when enlarged for print. Vector files (.AI, .EPS, .SVG) are preferred as they maintain the quality at any size without losing resolution.
Copyright Considerations: Steer clear of copyright issues by using original artwork or royalty-free images. Unlicensed usage of copyrighted materials can result in legal issues.
Using Design Editing Tools: Utilize the capabilities of online design editing tools. They allow you to experiment with artwork and text placements on the shirt. This will help you optimize the balance and aesthetics of your design.
Ink and Fabric Color Match: Last but not least, ensure that the ink color compliments your shirt color. This can significantly impact the overall look of your printed t-shirt.
Through careful consideration of these aspects, you're well-equipped to create a design that not only looks great digitally but also shines when printed on your t-shirt.
Shirt Quality
Investing significant time into crafting an impressive graphic certainly warrants pairing it with a quality t-shirt. The fabric type, weight, and color of your t-shirt are as crucial as the graphic it carries.
Fabric Type and Weight: Opt for a fabric that complements your graphic. The t-shirt's weight can reflect its quality and durability. A heavier t-shirt often suggests better quality.
Color: The color of your t-shirt should not only enhance your design but also be appealing in its own right. Ensure the color complements your graphic and matches your branding.
Quality and Size Range: Many online platforms offer high-quality, brand name t-shirts that come in a wide range of sizes to cater to your custom needs.
Remember, a great design is best showcased on a high-quality tee. By considering these elements, you can create a custom t-shirt that not only looks appealing but also stands the test of time.
Printing Method
Various printing methods, notably screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, are available for your project. Each method comes with its unique set of advantages and limitations.
Screen Printing: This method is excellent for high-volume orders and simple designs. Still, it could have limitations when it comes to intricate multi-colored designs as it requires individual screens for each color.
Direct-to-Garment Printing: DTG is ideal for complex, multi-colored designs or photographs, but it might not be as cost-effective for bulk orders.
If you're uncertain which method best suits your needs, don't hesitate to contact the customer service department of the platform from which you are ordering. They can provide expert advice and help clarify your options to ensure you receive a final product that perfectly matches your vision.
Timeline
Numerous companies offer accelerated production and expedited shipping services. However, these rapid services often come at a significant additional cost. Therefore, it's advisable to plan ahead.
Planning Ahead: Begin your process well in advance of your deadline. This not only saves you from added stress but also enables you to avoid any costly rush fees.
Account for Printing and Shipping Time: Ensure your timeline has ample provision for both printing and shipping. This allows any unforeseen delays and still ensures you receive your order in time.
Remember, patience usually pays off in cost savings. Pocketing the additional cost of urgent orders could mean more budget for your creative initiatives. Hence, always endeavor to plan ahead.
Our Top Online Custom T-shirt Providers
The online platforms we've selected include options for various budgets and levels of design assistance, from minor tweaks to a fully-assisted bespoke design. Several of these platforms even provide expedited production and shipping services for those who might have left their ordering to the eleventh hour. Whatever your custom t-shirt design needs may be, rest assured there's something here for everyone.
Printfits is a groundbreaking custom t-shirt company that breathes life into your personal style with its unique and quality offerings. With Printfits, you have the opportunity to turn your designs into wearable art or broaden your brand's reach with customized tees.
By merging innovative design tools with quality materials and superior print technology, Printfits ensures that every t-shirt becomes a novel canvas, expressing your taste and creativity. Whether you're seeking one-off unique pieces or bulk orders for your company or event, Printfits stands ready to make your custom t-shirt dreams a reality. Dive into the world of Printfits and discover the true joy of creating your t-shirt, your way.
Specifications:
Size Range: YXS – Adult 4XL
Shipping: Free shipping over $100
Returns: Refund within 15 days if your product differs from what you created, is flawed in some way, or arrives late
Best for: Complicated designs when you might need some input from a professional
How long it takes: 1-4 days
Prices starting at: $11.40 each for 25 items
What we like:
Customer service is available 7 days a week
High Quality Apparel
Fast shipping
What we don’t like:
Website can be a bit overwhelming with so many options
Vistaprint, a renowned company, caters to your custom printing needs across a diversity of products from paper to t-shirts. It offers the flexibility to print your design via various methods, such as direct-to-garment and screen printing.
Direct-to-garment printing, a method where ink is directly sprayed onto the t-shirt and absorbed into its fibers, enables virtually limitless colors and design possibilities. With no order minimum, you can make a one-of-a-kind statement on a t-shirt with your exclusive artwork.
If you're looking for a cost-effective, hard-wearing option for bulk orders, Vistaprint's screen printing method is your answer. With this technique, ink is pressed onto the garment via a mesh screen, constructing a smooth, slightly raised design you routinely find in mass-produced logo t-shirts. This ensures both durability and a premium look for your custom t-shirts.
Specifications:
Size Range: S to 3XL
Shipping: Starting at $8.99
Returns: If items arrive damaged or defective, you can receive replacements free of charge
Best for: Bulk orders of simple designs
How long it takes: 10 days
Prices starting at: $7.95 each for 150; $11.95 for one
What we like:
Simple design creation interface
Comprehensive catalog of images to add to your design
What we don’t like:
Customer service wait times can be long (it’s a very large company)
Zazzle is your creative playground when it comes to designing custom t-shirts. It allows you to create your unique designs or shop from an array of products crafted by other Zazzle members, providing an experience akin to shopping on Etsy.
Zazzle offers two distinctive printing options: "classic" and "vivid" printing. With classic printing, your design lacks a white base layer, meaning any white in your design is printed transparently, letting the t-shirt's color shine through. On the other hand, vivid printing employs a white base layer, resulting in a standout appearance.
Furthermore, Zazzle has an extensive collection of tutorials and articles designed to guide you in creating designs that mimic the refined aesthetics of professional designers.
Specifications:
Size Range: S-3XL
Shipping: Unlimited free standard shipping with a Zazzle Plus membership (419.85 a year with a free 30-day trial).
Returns: Yes within 30 days for defective or damaged products (they ask for images to be uploaded as documentation)
Best for: High-quality t-shirts with ultimate customization options
How long it takes: 2 – 10 days
Prices starting at: $16.11 each
What we like:
No minimum quantities
You can edit pre-existing designs
Many color, style, and fabric options
What we don’t like:
Can be expensive compared to others
At Underground Printing, you can customize a spectrum of t-shirts according to your style, ranging from heavy cotton tees, stylish women's scoop neck poly-cotton tops, cotton heritage garment dyed shirts, to unisex ultra-blend tees featuring well known brand names such as Gildan, Hanes, and Nike, among others.
Additional features that truly set Underground Printing apart include an advanced online design editor, complete with a library of clip arts and design inspirations to fuel your creative imagination. For those who prefer face-to-face design support, they have physical locations across 24 states where you can further shape your design ideas. A selection of t-shirts also comes with the option of a speedy two-day turnaround, granting you quick access to your unique, custom t-shirts.
Specifications:
Size Range: XS – 4XL depending on specific t-shirt used
Shipping: From free to 10 days to $5.95 each for 4 days
Returns: 100% satisfaction guarantee; must contact them within 15 days
Best for: When you’ve waited until the last minute to order
How long it takes: Quickest turnout is 2 days for select t-shirt styles; most are 10 days
Prices starting at: $8.89 each for 64 items (some t-shirts have no minimums or minimums as little as six)
What we like:
Wide range of colors and styles
Excellent customer service
Quick turnaround time
What we don’t like:
Some may not like that you have to set up an online account in order to save your designs
Canvas Prints
With Canvas Prints, customizing your t-shirt is exceedingly effortless. The platform allows for a seamless process to upload your preferred images and incorporate text to your designs. Their service revolves around 100% cotton t-shirts, accepting even single piece orders.
A standout feature of Canvas Prints is their double-sided printing at no additional cost. If your design is intended to adorn both the front and back of your t-shirt, Canvas Prints is your go-to solution, providing high-quality prints on both surfaces for the price of one.
They also facilitate blind shipping, ensuring that neither the packaging nor the finished product bears any Canvas Prints logos. This premium, discreet service elevates the overall professional look of your unique, custom t-shirt orders.
Specifications:
Size Range: S -2XL
Shipping: 1-5 days
Returns: Yes, if the product is defective; must document with photos
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