Print guide
Everything you need to order with confidence: how each print feels, which shirt to pick, how to prepare artwork, where prints go, sizing, proofs and washing.
Soft print vs. Bold print
Both are digital, so there are no screens, no setup fees and no limit on colors. The order builder recommends one for each shirt color, and you can switch.
| Soft print (DTG) | Bold print (DTF) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Ink is printed straight into the fabric. | Your design is printed on film, then heat-pressed onto the shirt. |
| How it feels | Soft. Feels like part of the shirt. | A thin, flexible layer on top, slightly smoother. |
| Looks | Natural, detailed, great for photos and gradients. | Bright, punchy color, crisp edges. |
| Best on | Cotton and cotton-blend tees and hoodies. | Any fabric: 100% polyester, blends, hats and polos. |
| Dark shirts | Needs a white base first: +$7; colored shirts +$3. | No extra charge on any color. |
| Price, 1 Premium tee | $20.95 light · $27.95 dark | $23.95 any color |
| Washing | Inside out, cold, low heat. | Inside out, cold, low heat. |
Quick rule: light shirts get Soft print. Black and dark shirts get Bold print, which is brighter and $4 less than Soft print with a white base. Mid-tones can go either way.
Which shirt should I pick?
Prices are for one front print, shipping included, on 1 to 24 pieces.
| Shirt | Fabric | Weight | Fit | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClassicGildan 5000 | 100% cotton | 5.3 oz | Classic, roomier | $16.95 |
| Premium SoftNext Level 6210 | 60% cotton, 40% polyester | 4.3 oz | Soft retail fit | $20.95 |
| Premium FittedNext Level 3600 | 100% combed ringspun cotton | 4.3 oz | Slim | $22.95 |
| FestivalNext Level 6200 | 100% cotton | Heavyweight | Relaxed, drop shoulder | $26.95 |
| Tri-BlendNext Level 6010 | Cotton, polyester, rayon | 4.3 oz | Vintage drape | $26.95 |
| SuededNext Level 6410 | 100% combed cotton, sueded | 4.3 oz | Retail fit | $26.95 |
| Premium Fitted SuededNext Level 3600SW | Combed ringspun cotton, sueded | 4.3 oz | Slim retail fit | $26.95 |
Not sure? Classic is the budget pick for events and big groups. Premium Soft is the one people keep wearing. 100% cotton shirts take Soft print especially well.
Artwork that prints sharp
Best file types: a PNG with a clear (transparent) background, or a vector file (SVG, PDF, AI, EPS). JPG and phone photos work too.
Watch for white boxes. A logo saved on a white background prints as a white rectangle on a colored shirt. Use a transparent PNG, or tell us and we’ll remove the background on your proof.
Big enough to be sharp. Small web images look fine on a phone but print blurry. The builder checks this as you resize and warns you. The table shows how wide your image should be.
Very thin lines and tiny text may not hold up. We’ll flag anything risky on your proof.
Colors look a little different on fabric than on a screen, especially neon and very dark shades.
| Print spot | Print width | Minimum | Sharpest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left chest | 4 in | 600 px | 1,200 px |
| Center chest | 7 in | 1,050 px | 2,100 px |
| Full front | 11 in | 1,650 px | 3,300 px |
| Full back | 12 in | 1,800 px | 3,600 px |
| Sleeve | 3.5 in | 525 px | 1,050 px |
| Hat front | 4.5 in | 675 px | 1,350 px |
Pixels wide. Minimum is 150 pixels per inch at print size; sharpest is 300.
Where prints go, and how big
You can drag and resize in the builder, but these are the standard spots. The front is included; other spots add to the price per piece.
| Spot | Typical size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Left chest | about 4 in wide | Included |
| Center chest | about 7 in wide | Included |
| Full front | about 11 × 14 in | Included |
| Oversized front | up to 14 × 16 in | Included |
| Upper back | about 10 in wide | +$8 |
| Full back | about 12 × 16 in | +$8 |
| Sleeve | about 3.5 in wide | +$5 each |
| Neck label | about 3 in wide | +$5 |
| Hat front / back / side | about 4.5 / 3 / 2.5 in | Front included, others +$5 |
Finding the right size
- Lay a shirt you like flat.
- Measure straight across the chest, armpit to armpit.
- Measure from the top of the shoulder to the bottom hem.
- Match those numbers to the chart for the shirt you picked.
Classic is a roomier cut. Premium Fitted is trimmer, so if you’re between sizes in a fitted style, many people size up. Ordering for a group and still collecting sizes? You can change sizes until your order goes to print.
| Inches | XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width (laid flat) | 17½ | 19 | 20½ | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 |
| Length | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
| Inches | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width (laid flat) | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 |
| Length | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 |
Measurements from the manufacturers, ±1 inch. Width is measured across the chest, 1 inch below the armholes. Length is measured from the highest point of the shoulder to the hem. Both tees are unisex fit. Size charts for hoodies, polos and other tees: [add from the S&S product feed].
Proofs and timing
- 1You orderBy 1 pm ET on a weekday to start that day.
- 2We send a proofFree, by email, usually within one business day. We fix anything risky first.
- 3You approveNothing prints until you say yes. Sizes can still change.
- 4We print and ship1–24 pieces in 2 business days, 25–99 in 3, 100+ in up to 5. Rush: next day.
- 5It arrivesFree shipping. Your exact arrival date shows in the builder.
Chose "Send file later"? Your dates start once we have your artwork and you approve the proof.
Names and numbers
Each shirt can have its own name, number, or both, printed on the back: $4 for a name, $3 for a number, $6 for both. In the builder, type each person’s name, number and size, or paste your list one person per line, like Rivera, 23, L. We flag repeated numbers so you can double-check them.
Washing and care
Soft and Bold prints are made to be worn and washed. These habits keep them looking new longer.
- 1Wait a day before the first wash.
- 2Turn it inside out.
- 3Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, with mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener.
- 4Hang or lay flat to dry, or tumble dry on low.
- 5Don’t iron over the print. If you must, iron inside out on low.
- 6Don’t dry clean.