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Ever wondered what happens after you click “Add to Basket” on a custom t-shirt or hoodie? We thought we would take you behind the scenes and show you exactly how your design goes from pixels on a screen to a premium printed garment on your doorstep.
Step 1: Your Design is Prepared
Once your order comes through, our production team reviews your design file. We check the resolution, colour profile, and positioning to ensure everything will print perfectly. If we spot any potential issues (like a low-resolution image that might not look sharp), we will contact you before printing to discuss options.
Step 2: The Garment is Prepared
Your chosen garment is selected from our stock and prepared for printing. For DTG printing, the fabric needs to be pre-treated with a special solution that helps the ink bond to the fibres. This is what gives our prints their incredible durability and colour vibrancy.
Step 3: DTG Printing
DTG stands for “Direct to Garment” – and that is exactly what it means. Your garment is loaded onto our printer, and your design is printed directly onto the fabric using water-based, eco-friendly inks. Think of it like a very sophisticated inkjet printer, but for clothes.
The advantages of DTG printing include:
- Unlimited colours: Unlike screen printing, there is no limit to the number of colours in your design
- Photographic quality: Perfect for detailed images, gradients, and complex artwork
- Soft hand feel: The ink absorbs into the fabric rather than sitting on top, so the print feels like part of the garment
- Eco-friendly: Water-based inks with no harmful chemicals
Step 4: Heat Curing
After printing, your garment goes through a heat press that cures the ink at high temperature. This step is crucial – it locks the ink into the fabric fibres, making your design permanent, wash-resistant, and incredibly durable.
Step 5: Quality Check
Every single garment is inspected by our quality control team. We check print accuracy, colour consistency, garment condition, and sizing. If anything does not meet our standards, we print it again. Simple as that.
Step 6: Packing and Dispatch
Your garment is carefully folded, tissue-wrapped, and packed in our branded packaging. We use recyclable packaging wherever possible because we believe great printing should not cost the earth.
Once packed, your order is handed over to our delivery partner and you will receive a tracking number by email. UK Standard orders typically arrive within 3-5 business days from dispatch, while UK Express delivers in just 1-2 business days.
The Result
From start to finish, the entire process takes around 5-8 business days for standard delivery. Every step is handled with care by our UK-based team, ensuring you receive a product that looks exactly like your preview – or better.
Ready to see the process in action? Start designing your custom creation today.
