Promo t-shirts are an excellent method of advertising, celebrating an important occasion, or simply highlighting your personality. Although screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing are common for designing custom t-shirts, embroidery provides a touch of sophistication and sturdiness. If you are thinking of using embroidered custom t-shirts, read these tips to avoid getting it wrong.
Choose the Right Fabric
This is because the type of fabric that you select to put your embroidery on will determine the outcome of your work. Natural fibers particularly soft cotton and cotton blends are most suitable as they give a good finish for embroidery. Thick or textured fabrics pose challenges that may include poor stitch definition or inability to scribe intricate areas. When designing your custom t-shirt, ensure that you select good quality, medium to lightweight fabrics that will help in giving a perfect mix of durability and comfort.
Simplify Your Design
Most of the time, embroidery is most appropriate when the design is not too complex or intricate, but rather large and clear. A typical challenge with embroidery is that tight holes, fine lines, and small fonts cannot be captured per the required accuracy. When designing your custom t-shirt, avoid complicating the design drawing by making sure the shape is solid, the lines are clean and clear, and the font size is large enough. If you are going to include text in your design, use a font that is easy to read and avoid styles that are too ornate or thin.
Choose the Right Thread and Colors
The kind of thread to be used also matters as well as the choice of color to be used on the t-shirt to be embroidered. Polyester threads also have great tensile strength and washing fastness, while rayon threads give a nice sheen to the embroidery. It is also important to select colors that are going to be distinguishable against the shirt material so your design is easy to see. This is also a good time to ask your embroidery provider for thread samples or digital proof of your artwork to ensure color accuracy before the actual production.
Consider Placement and Size
The positioning of the design and the size of the design are important aspects of creating a balanced and professional look for the custom t-shirt design. Areas of placement for the embroidered design are the left chest, center front, or the shoulder or sleeves. The design has to be put at the right scale for the area where it will be placed to avoid any distortions. For example, the logo placed on the left chest should not be more than 3-4 inches and the bigger images which can be placed at the center front should be 8-10 inches at most. It is preferable to seek guidance from your specific embroidery provider in terms of positioning and dimensions.
Test Your Design
It is advisable to ask for a sample or a test embroidery of your design before going for the actual production run. This enables you to determine how your design will appear in embroidery and make corrections if necessary. A sample will assist you in checking the standard of stitching, color differentiation, and looks of the product before placing an order.
Work with a Professional Embroidery Service
Selecting the right embroidery service provider is a critical factor that will determine the right outcome of the custom t-shirt design. Choose a provider who has experience in embroidery and see the portfolio of samples they have done. In this case, professional service will advise on the changes to be made, the sort of thread to be used, and the compatibility of fabric with the embroidery work to be done to it. Do not be afraid to ask for references and feedback to identify a credible service provider.
Things to Consider
Epic t-shirts with embroidery have to be designed carefully and every detail has to be considered. This includes choosing the right fabric, eliminating the complexity of a design, picking the right color and type of thread, and hiring a professional to embroider the t-shirts will make your t-shirts aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting, and fashionable. Whether it be for yourself, an event, or even for your brand, these guidelines would help increase the chances of having the right custom t-shirt design on your next embroidered shirt.