Help
T-shirt printing FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we are asked most about ordering, artwork, printing and delivery.
Ordering and prices
These t-shirt printing FAQs cover the basics first. Cannot see your question? Contact us.
Is there a minimum order?
No. You can order one printed t-shirt online, with no setup cost. For large runs of one design, screen printing can work out cheaper, so ask us for a quote.
Do you offer bulk discounts?
Yes. Order 10 or more items for 10% off, or 20 or more for 20% off. The discount is not applied automatically, so please get in touch before you place your order. See also our bundles.
Why is it cheaper to print on white?
On a white garment, the colours go straight onto the fabric. On coloured and dark garments, we first lay down a white base for the colours to sit on, a bit like primer on a car. That takes more ink and work, so some garments cost more in colours.
The garment I want is not on your website. Can I get it?
Possibly. We use several suppliers with a near endless choice of garments. Tell us what you are after and we will check.
Can I cancel or change my order?
Get in touch as soon as you can. Once work has started on your order, a charge may apply to cover it. Items that are already printed, or being printed, cannot be cancelled. The details are in our terms and conditions.
Delivery and timing
How much is delivery?
Royal Mail Tracked 48 is £3.50 and Tracked 24 is £5.00. A 4 Day Guaranteed service costs £12.00. Collection from our Portishead shop is free. We deliver to UK addresses only. See delivery for details.
How long will my order take?
We print most orders in a few working days. We cannot stock every garment we offer, so some have to be ordered in from our suppliers first, which adds time.
Standard black, white or grey t-shirts are usually in stock, so they go out sooner. A ringer t-shirt or organic hoodie may mean a short wait. If you have a deadline, tell us before you order.
Can I get my order faster?
It is possible. Orders can be fast-tracked for an extra charge. Contact us before you order by email at teepigprinting@gmail.com or call 01275 840033.
My order has not arrived. What now?
Orders we ship are insured. If an order is lost, a claim can be made with the courier after 28 days, and we will then arrange a replacement or a refund.
We cannot guarantee delivery by a set date unless you told us your deadline and chose guaranteed delivery. Please order in plenty of time before an event.
Artwork and design
All I have is an idea. What do I do?
Use our online designer to build it yourself. You can choose fonts, clipart and shapes, upload your own photos, or use free images from Pixabay and Unsplash. It is easier on a computer than a phone. Watch our design video guide to get started.
Rather not design it yourself? Call or email us and we can do it for you, from £25.
Is my design good enough to print?
Resolution matters most. We work at 300 dpi (dots per inch), and 150 dpi is fine. Images taken from websites or emails are often only 72 dpi, which is too low to enlarge.
Text and clipart from our online designer are always good quality. For photos, use ones with good lighting, focus and contrast. If we see a serious quality problem, we will contact you.
Can you remove the background from my design?
Yes. We remove a plain background colour at no extra cost, and white backgrounds are removed unless you tell us otherwise. Backgrounds with shading, several colours or objects need more editing, and there is a charge for that.
Do you have any design tips?
Keep it bold: strong lines, bold colours and good contrast with the fabric. Leave plenty of the garment unprinted, and avoid big blocks of ink, especially white. Large prints stop fabric breathing. Our design guidelines go into more detail.
Printing methods and quality
Which printing methods do you use?
Most online orders are printed by DTF (direct to film). We also use DTG (direct to garment), screen printing, embroidery and sublimation. We usually choose the method that suits your design best, but tell us if you have a preference. Compare them on our printing methods page.
Do you do embroidery?
Yes. Please contact us for a quote on embroidered garments. Your logo is first turned into a stitch file, called digitising, which is a one-off cost from £12. Read more about embroidery.
I am a perfectionist. Will I be happy with the result?
We use up-to-date printing equipment and recommended garments. Even so, most printing is lined up by eye rather than by laser, so print position can vary very slightly.
Garments are not always stitched to exact measurements either. A hoodie pocket sewn slightly off can make a straight print look crooked. Look closely at any print and you may find tiny inconsistencies.
Every order passes our quality check before it leaves. If you are not happy with it, please contact us.
Aftercare
How do I look after my printed t-shirt or hoodie?
Wash at 30°C or below. Avoid tumble drying, and do not iron directly on the print. Prints fade naturally over many washes, but with care a print can last as long as the garment.
Can I get the same design printed again?
Yes. We keep your design on file, so when your favourite t-shirt wears out we can print you a fresh one.
Still have a question?
Call or email our Portishead shop and talk to the people who print your order.