Understanding Wrap Around Screen Printing For T-Shirts

We get a good number of requests for t-shirt printing where the designer would like the printed design to wrap from the front of the T-Shirt to the back of the T-Shirt.  Understanding Wrap Around Screen Printing For T-Shirts is important before you begin any project.  These requests usually come in two flavors.  The first is a print request that will go around the t-shirt horizontally. Typically this request is for a print that is featured on the entire front of the T-Shirt and goes under the arm pit and around to the back.  (See AOP 1).

The second request is for a wrap around t-shirt print that is printed vertically on both the front and the back.  This type of request is usually from the bottom hem up to the shoulder seam on the front, and the same on the back. (See AOP 2).

AOP 1 – Horizontal Wrap Around Screen Print

Wrap Around T-Shirt Printing Continuous Print

AOP 2 – Vertical Wrap Around Screen Print

Edge To Edge Screen Printing T-Shirts

Understanding Wrap Around Screen Printing For T-Shirts

What is important to note for both varieties of wrap around screen printing for T-Shirts is that each method has it’s inherent issues and/or flaws.  True wrap around t-shirt printing is done in a cut and sew environment, not after a t-shirt has been created.  It’s also important to note that this is not dye sublimation printing, this is traditional screen printing but with specialized equipment and inks that help facilitate the oversized screen printing area required to print all over a t-shirt.

Here is a list of things that are important for you to know before embarking on a wrap around t-shirt project.

• There are only two ways to print a wrap around design on a T-Shirt.  The first is screen printing on the front, flipping the shirt over and screen printing on the back.  The second is loading the shirt on it’s side and screen printing once, placing some of the image on the front and some of the image on the back.  Short of a cut and sew, custom t-shirt there is no other way.
• Both methods are not perfect.  For method #1, printing on the front, then flipping and printing on the back, you will never have a perfect match on the side.  The illusion of what you intend will be there, but, the “connection” of where the images should “meet” from the front around to the back, will never be perfect, and in some instances, may show a slight gap or misalignment.  For method #2, the physical limitations of the T-Shirt itself, prevent us from screen printing something that can fill the front and a portion of the back, you just can’t stretch the shirt far enough, this is why this work is typically done prior to the shirt being sewn into a t-shirt. (See video below)
• Screen printing over seams causes smudging.  This can be mitigated, but not avoided and should be expected.
• Multi-Color registration of designs is challenging when screen printing a traditional size, so doing so on a wrap around print, is very challenging, as a result, expectations should be set appropriately.
• The setup required to execute on a print of this type is extensive, as a result, the minimum order is 144 pieces.
• The print price for a single side, single color wrap around can range from $3.00 to $4.50 per print (per side) depending on the artwork.

Our goal is not to scare you away from wrap around designs, they can be done.  Our goal is to ensure that you have the proper expectations set on what can and can’t be expected for this process.  If it is absolutely essential that you have pure perfection, then a cut and sew project is in order.

However, if you can live with the slight nuances as noted above, then you can expect very reasonable result.  Keep in mind that nobody besides you and us will be looking as closely at the results of your wrap around t-shirt.  If the end results display the intent and illusion of what was intended, then the project is a success.  A slight seam smudge or 1/16th of an inch connection misalignment will not destroy the intent of the project.  If you don’t believe us, then the next time you are in a clothing store that sells T-shirts, inspect them closely, especially near the seams, you’ll notice major variances that were once invisible to you because you weren’t looking or focused on it.  The same thing is the case with your custom wrap around t-shirt printing project.

If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you turn your wrap around t-shirt printing project into a reality, please give us a call (908) 806-8337 or contact us by email.