I'm into shameless self promotion and I like to wear my company colors on my caps, jackets and shirts rather than promote some obscure company like Nike.(LOL) I've had caps and jackets embroidered as well as in heat set vinyl. However, several months ago I made several t-shirts with my logo on the front and large slogan on the back and they have lasted through many, many washings so I'm going to share my simple technique.
I like to use white cotton t-shirts, however just about any light color would work. I've got a vinyl-cutter so I cut my logo and slogan the size I desired and reverse weeded them. You can hand-cut your logo into vinyl or mactac if you don't use a vinyl-cutter. I applied the desired locations on the shirts taking care to remove the carrier sheet because vinyl does not stick to fabric very well. Then I carefully masked the entire shirt with a plastic bag and sealed it with tape. Then over the course of about 3-4 hours I sprayed the logo with many light coats of Varathane brand Colors in Plastic in a spray bomb because it seemed like the best and most convenient paint for the job. Probably any paint will do but I can't guarantee that. Make sure you spray in very light coats otherwise the paint will run along the fabric threads. Then remove the mask after the final coat is dry and voila!
I used only black but it is possible to use several colors if you mask and spray them separately. If you don't want to or can't put out the bucks to get your logo embroidered or screen printed, try this. It helps promote a professional image by wearing your own 'corporate wear' and anything you can do to appear more professional will help you in the long run.
Happy Signing.....Marty
------------------ Marty Happy Happy Ad Sign & Design Regina SK, Canada
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Hi Marty: That sounds like something worth trying! Did you do pocket prints or full fronts? did you have to heat set the paint? And have you tried a multi-color print in the same method?
I recently did a pocket-size print on the front with my logo and a large slogan across the back in just black on white. I see no reason why you can't do several colors by waiting a day or so between colors that are masked separately. And no, I didn't heat set anything other than put it in the sunshine to speed the drying and it's been through at least 20 washes now without hardly any loss of color. Looks screen printed actually. It's not practical to do a large number of shirts this way but if you lack screen printing skills and equipment and don't want to bother with heat pressed vinyl like stahls which requires a special plotter knife and settings as well as a heat press, this is the ticket to make yourself some shirts and look corporate. I've even tried the inkjet t-shirt iron-on kits but they just never lasted like my method which saturates into the fabric rather than just sticking to the surface. It may not be the most efficient way to make a t-shirt but it doesn't take that much time unless you sit there and watch the paint dry between coats. It's still a good investment to look professional. It should work on jackets and caps too providing you have a smooth and paint receptive surface but I had those as well as some golf shirts embroidered.
Happy Signing....Marty
------------------ Marty Happy Happy Ad Sign & Design Regina SK, Canada
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