At The Tee, we know that the blank AS Colour tee is just the start — the real story is in the decoration. From traditional screen printing to cutting-edge DTF (direct-to-film), every technique brings its own personality to your custom apparel. As part of the Printwear Group (with The Tee, The Hoodie, and Stubbyz), we help businesses, teams, and creatives choose the right decoration for their project — whether that’s 50 classic uniforms, a one-off custom hoodie, or branded stubby holders for your next event.
Here’s your guide to the most popular decoration methods and where they shine.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is the workhorse of the industry — bold, bright, and built to last. At The Tee, we use it for logos, slogans, and designs that need consistency across large runs.
- Best for: Bulk orders, simple colour palettes, long-term wear.
- Think: Staff tees, sports clubs, events.
Embroidery
Embroidery brings a premium, textured look with stitched thread. It’s popular across our sister site, Printwear, for caps and polos, giving your brand a more elevated feel.
- Best for: Professional uniforms, premium merch, high-value branding.
- Think: Corporate logos, team crests, subtle monograms.
Plastisol Heat Transfers
Perfect for short runs or intricate designs, heat transfers are screen prints (on paper or film) that are pressed onto fabric. They're flexible and affordable, and works great across The Tee and The Hoodie.
- Best for: Small runs, multi-colour designs.
- Think: Launch events, creative test runs, fast turnarounds.
Vinyl
Vinyl decoration is clean and crisp — ideal for bold numbers, names, or sharp logos. Sports clubs love this for personalising jerseys, and we’ve used it for one-off t-shirts as well.
- Best for: Personalisation, bold text.
- Think: Team names, numbers, individualised gifts.
Metallic Ink
Metallic ink adds instant wow-factor. Screen printed with reflective pigments, it gives tees and hoodies that shimmering edge.
- Best for: Standout merch drops, fashion-forward designs.
- Think: Limited runs, premium streetwear vibes.
Water-Based Ink
For eco-conscious brands and those who love a softer feel, water-based ink sinks into the tee for a breathable, vintage look. This method is especially popular across The Tee’s AS Colour range.
- Best for: Sustainable fashion, retail brands.
- Think: Boutique merch, eco-friendly collections.
Full Colour Process (CMYK Printing)
Need a photo or complex design on a shirt? Full colour process (CMYK) blends four inks for detailed, realistic prints.
- Best for: Photographic or detailed artwork.
- Think: Music merch, graphic art tees.
DTF (Direct-to-Film)
The newest player on the block, DTF is versatile, durable, and vibrant. We use it across The Tee and The Hoodie for detailed prints that look sharp on any fabric type.
- Best for: Versatility, fine detail, colour vibrancy.
- Think: Small business merch, startup drops, creative projects.
Printwear Group: Your Partner in Custom Decoration
From tees to hoodies to stubby holders, Printwear Group covers it all:
- The Tee → Custom AS Colour t-shirts, endless colours & fits.
- The Hoodie → Premium custom hoodies, built for comfort and branding.
- Printwear → devorated apparel and promotionalo products.
- Stubbyz → Printed stubby holders for events, giveaways, and merch packs.
Whatever the decoration method, we match your project with the best process to make sure your design not only looks good, but lasts.
Explore your options at The Tee or talk to us at Printwear about your next project.
