Want to get your custom printed T-shirts noticed? Try mixing medias to add texture and dimension.
Do me a favor, next time you’re out shopping at a retailer that carries a selection of pre-printed T-shirts, spend some time reviewing the designs. Is it a flat print or multi dimensional? Are the prints vibrant and shiny or muted and dull? Are there any embellishments such as sequins or beads? Study these designs and the way they’re applied. Now, take this knowledge back to your shop and review your designs – do they mimic the “trends”?
Today, you’ll be hard pressed to find a single dimensional print in a retail location. More and more, mass producers are incorporating new textures and design elements into their graphics.
The good news is that with some innovative creativity and heat transfer vinyls, you can re-create the same look and feel.
Glitter vinyl adds dimension to the graphic
For example, look at this design. The original idea was that the glove was produced from shiny silver sequins that were sewn to the fabric. The design was beautiful but also very expensive. For our version, we substituted a glittery heat applied vinyl instead of sequins and a traditional heat seal vinyl for the text.
This is a very simple design, that pops with the addition of the glitter. Let’s just say that there are fans here at Great Garment Graphics that are fighting over this T-Shirt!
We realize that the mixing of materials can be a little confusing. What materials can be used together? How to effectively layer the materials? Do you need to modify application instructions?
We’ve devoted a 3 part webinar series on Mixing Medias, so tune in tomorrow for Mixed Media Series Part 2: Mixing CAD-CUT® Materials Using Your Vinyl Cutter and if you missed the first webinar, you canwatch the video Mixed Media Series – Part 1.
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