T-Shirt Printing and Customization Guide

Customizing t-shirts is a creative and effective way to promote a brand, create merchandise, uniforms, or unique pieces for events.
At Grafipronto , we use different techniques to ensure the best result depending on the design, fabric and desired quantity.

In this guide, we explain the three main techniques we use: DTF , digital transfer printing with Xerox printing , and flex vinyl , comparing advantages, disadvantages, and ideal applications.

🎯 1. DTF (Direct to Film) Printing

How it works:
The design is printed onto a special film with pigmented inks, covered with polyurethane powder, and then transferred to the fabric using heat and pressure.

✅ Advantages:

• High definition of colors and very fine details, ideal for intricate logos, photographic images with shadows and white printing.

• Works on almost all fabric types (cotton, polyester, blends and dark fabrics).

• Good durability even after many washes.

• Allows for small runs or unique pieces with excellent quality.

⚠️ Disadvantages:

• Multi-step process, slower production than printing or simple vinyl.

• Light relief on the fabric, noticeable to the touch, in very saturated designs.

💡 Ideal for:
Merchandising, custom uniforms, complex designs with many details and colorful clothing items.

🎯 2. Digital Printing with Transfer

How it works:
The design is printed on special transfer paper on a Xerox digital laser printer , using high definition toner.
Then, the transfer is applied to the shirt using a heat press , fixing the image to the fabric.

✅ Advantages:

• Very fast production , ideal for short deadlines and small runs.

• Vivid, sharp colors , great for simple images and logos.

• Possibility of printing photos or gradients.

• Good option for light fabrics, especially white T-shirts .

⚠️ Disadvantages:

• On black or very dark t-shirts, the result may vary: sometimes it maintains good quality, but in others it loses contrast or saturation.

• Less breathable over large areas due to the transfer film.

• Lower durability than DTF in very common washes.

💡 Ideal for:
White t-shirts for events, giveaways, small print runs and quick customization on the spot.

🎯 3. Vinyl Printing (Cut or Print Vinyl)

How it works:
Vinyl is cut (for solid colors) or printed (for complex images) and then applied to the fabric with heat and pressure.

✅ Advantages:

• Very high durability , especially on logos and cut-out images.

• Possibility of special effects with metallic vinyl, glitter, fluorescent, etc.

• Good wash resistance.

⚠️ Disadvantages:

• Less suitable for complex images with lots of detail.

• Thicker, more “plastic” feel.

• More time consuming on designs with many small elements.

💡 Ideal for:
Names, numbers, simple logos and parts with special effects.

🏆 Quick comparison

👕 Grafipronto T-shirts

At Grafipronto, we have a variety of t-shirt colors for customization, although black and white models are the most common in stock for immediate production in local stores.

• Physical stores : models for men and women available at Grafipronto in Shopping Cidade do Porto and Grafipronto in El Corte Inglés Gaia .

• Online : unisex models.

• Featured T-shirts :

  • 190 gsm, 100% cotton jersey knit (shaded grey: 90% cotton / 10% viscose)

  • Carded cotton yarn

  • 1x1 ribbed collar

  • Jersey reinforcement tape

  • Double stitching on sleeves and bottom

  • Tubular

  • Regular cut

  • Enzymatic treatment

🌱 Which is more environmentally friendly?

• DTF: Water-based inks, reduced waste, but film and dust are plastic.

• Digital Printing (Xerox + Transfer): Consumes little material and energy, but the transfer is plastic that must later be recycled.

• Vinyl: Less sustainable but much more durable as it uses PVC.

📌 Conclusion

Each technique has its space.
If you're looking for speed , digital transfer printing is unbeatable.
If you need unique detail and versatility , DTF is the right choice.
And if your focus is visual impact and durability , vinyl is unbeatable.

📞Contact us or visit our stores and find out which technique and T-shirt model is best suited for your project.