Printing on clothing and souvenirs: how to order without overpaying
The printing method decides almost everything
The price and look of a print depend on the technology. Screen printing works well for large runs with few colours. DTF suits small batches and complex multicolour images. Sublimation is for mugs and polyester items, embroidery for caps, polo shirts and hoodies, and engraving for metal and wood. Pad printing is used for pens and small objects.
If you don't know what to choose, write about the item, the quantity and the look you want, and print shops will suggest a technology.
What to put in your request
- item — T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, pens, caps, bags, notebooks;
- quantity — how many pieces; it decides which technology is better value;
- printing method — if you already know it;
- artwork — whether you have the logo as a vector, how many colours the image has;
- size and position — for example, A4 on the back or a small logo on the chest;
- whose items — your own or the print shop's; for clothing give the fabric and weight;
- sizes and colours — the size range, for example S–XL, and the colours of the items;
- timing — by what date;
- delivery city and budget.
Example: “I need 50 black and white T-shirts, about 180 gsm cotton, sizes S–XL. An A4 print on the back, logo as a vector, 2 colours, screen printing or DTF. Ready by 15 November, delivery to Sharjah. Budget up to AED 660.”
How to compare offers
Check that everyone is pricing the same way: whether the price includes the T-shirts themselves or only the printing, and whether artwork preparation, DTF film or screens for screen printing are counted. On small runs, preparation can be a noticeable part of the cost.
- Ask about the fabric, its weight and the brand of the blanks if the print shop supplies them.
- Ask for a sample or photos of similar work and find out how the print stands up to washing.
- Check how many artwork revisions are allowed and whether you get a proof before the run starts.
- Find out whether the size range changes the price and how different sizes in one run are charged.
Common mistakes
The most common is to send a low-quality logo, which gives a blurry print; printing needs a vector or a large file. The second is not stating colours and fabric: on dark fabric a print looks different than on light. The third is ordering on a tight deadline with no margin for approval and delivery.
If you need more than the products themselves, think about printing, advertising and print work or signs.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write one request, and print shops reply in the chat: what exactly they will do, the price or what it depends on, how long it takes and whether delivery is available. The request is checked before it is shown, and you are told what else to add. Providers see where they stand among the others, so they often improve their terms. Only the print shop you choose sees your contacts. See also how it works.
