Design and screen print a T-shirt

Have you ever wanted to get one of your designs onto a T-shirt? Well, in the following tutorial, we talk you through the process of creating a digital design and transferring it to a tee using silk-screen printing. Screen printing is one of the most accessible forms of reproduction available and, matched with its flexible uses, it’s ideal for the production of all forms of textile prints. It’s no wonder that it’s still the primary means of producing designs for the fashion and garment industry. We show you how a simple two-colour composition is easily transformed into a physical, wearable design that can be paraded around.

We start with the basics of setting up a print file to laying out a T-shirt design. From here, we add bespoke patterns using simple tools and techniques in Illustrator and then prepare the artwork for production. Then we talk you through the hands-on process of silk-screen printing to show you how you can turn your digital design into a wearable object.

Although our tee is produced in a professional environment – by Nottingham screen printers I Dress Myself – these production techniques can be replicated easily. Many of our tips are those used by professionals within the industry and are invaluable for anyone tackling such a project at home.

Click here to download the support files (79KB)