7 Costly Mistakes Happen in Ordering Custom T Shirt Printing and How these Mistakes Can be Avoided?

Custom T-shirt printing has become a popular choice for businesses, event organisers, and individuals seeking a unique gift. A single shirt can serve as a walking advertisement, a memorable keepsake, or a simple way to unify a group. This is an affordable branding option that provides creative freedom.
The process of printing is simple, but it requires attention to detail to avoid any possible costly mistake. Some details, such as fabric choice, print quality, or skipping a proof, can turn your idea into a disappointment.
In this blog, you will learn about the seven common yet costly mistakes that customers make in placing a custom t-shirt order and how these mistakes can be avoided.

7 Mistakes that People Make while Printing Custom T-Shirts

Mistakes while placing a custom order are common, as most of the customers are new to customising apparel. Being a novice makes them susceptible to making mistakes that will turn out costly. The following are seven mistakes that people make while printing customised t-shirts.

Mistake 1: Choose Printing Method Based on Price Alone

Making a decision based only on prices is a common mistake. The lowest prices might entice customers, but this would not give you satisfactory results. Such businesses use cheap materials to get the order done with weak stitches, low-quality fabric, and prints that are not going to last even for a week. Most of the time, customers experience additional charges for shipping and design alteration, with no return or exchange policies. It is best to consider the value delivered in terms of fabric quality, print durability, the company’s time and reliability, and price parity.

Mistake 2: Not Doing Enough Research Before Selecting a Print Method

You need to do your own research on printing methods before settling on one. It would give you an idea of whether the final product meets your expectations. For instance, screen printing is ideally suited for large printing orders, while direct-to-film (DTF) is best used on complex and colourful designs, working well on small batches. It is best to always enquire about the techniques used by the particular printer and make sure that the methodology applies to your order volume and the character of the design.

Learn more about DTF Printing or Vinyl Cutting: What’s Best for Your Custom Apparel Order?

Mistake 3: Ignoring Fabric Quality

Fabric quality is an important attribute to look for while placing an order for custom printing. There are various types of fabrics available in the market. The wrong fabric will be uncomfortable to wear, might shrink after a wash and does not help the print to set appropriately. Make sure to do your own research or reach out to the help centre of the business to gather information on how your print would look on your desired fabric.

Mistake 4: Not Asking for a Proof Approval or a Mock-up

Ignoring proof approval might look like a shortcut to get your order done, but it would lead to an expensive error, especially when working with a large batch. For a big batch of customisation, consider a physical proof to get a better idea of how your shirt or other apparel will look and ensure the fabric quality meets your liking. For a small order, you can go for a digital mock-up. Physical and digital proofs will give an idea of alignment, colour combination, misspelt text and how the actual final product will look.

Mistake 5: Not Using Images with Proper Resolution

Printing on a shirt requires a high-resolution image or artwork. Poor resolution will result in blurry and pixelated print, which will not represent professional work on the final product. For example, in DTF printing, the minimum quality requirement of the image is 300 dpi (dots per inch). If your artwork features detailed work, finer design, small text, or a photorealistic image, you will need 600 dpi or higher. Anything less, and those fine details risk dissolving into a muddy blur.

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Ignoring Care Instructions

Custom prints require careful washing. Hot washes, aggressive spin cycles, and tumble drying can wear down the adhesive or fade the colours, primarily if the wrong method is used for the fabric.

Not Reviewing a Mock-up/Sample

What looks perfect on screen might not translate the same way onto fabric. Fonts can shrink, colours can shift slightly, and placement might feel off. Request a digital mock-up if the order is large.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between DTF printing and vinyl cutting depends on which one fits your specific needs. Both methods offer strong results, but they excel in different areas. If your design is detailed, colourful, or includes gradients, DTF printing is often the more practical option. It handles complexity well and works on a wide range of garments. On the other hand, if you are aiming for bold, sharp designs, such as for names, logos, or team wear, vinyl cutting delivers clarity and lasting strength with a clean, professional finish. The best approach is to start with your design, fabric, and intended use, then match the method accordingly. Both options are reliable. It just depends on what you want your finished piece to say.