T-Shirt Vinyl
Plan your vinyl-decorated apparel
Heat-transfer vinyl can suit simple logos, individual names, and numbers on compatible garments. The design is cut and applied with a heat press, so the garment must tolerate the required heat and pressure.
Send the exact garment style, artwork, design size, placement, quantity, and any individual names or numbers. Vector artwork is required for cut designs. Compare apparel decoration methods if you need detailed full-color artwork. Include your deadline so we can review production timing and any shipping needs.
What is it?
T-shirt vinyl is a type of vinyl with an adhesive backing. It can be cut, weeded, and applied to a variety of fabrics with a heat press. We now offer the ability to purchase blank vinyl online by the foot that can be picked up from our Indianapolis office during business hours.
Order quantities and minimums
There is no minimum garment quantity. A $20 minimum order value applies to all customers except approved wholesale/reseller accounts. Screen-printing orders of fewer than 12 shirts have a setup fee. Your quote confirms garment, decoration, artwork, setup, and shipping charges as applicable.
Equipment:
We have two Roland GX-24 vinyl cutters that cut vinyl, and a Stahl’s heated weeding table to weed (the act of removing excess material not part of the actual design) the vinyl in mirrored form. The vinyl is then heat pressed onto the garment and the transfer paper is then removed. Each layer of vinyl (if using multiple colors) is applied separately.
Artwork:
We require vector art for creating vinyl designs.
-File types: Corel Draw (.cdr), Adobe Illustrator (.ai), .svg, .eps, and in some cases, .pdf files. Please DO NOT use Photoshop and save it as an EPS file…it is not the same as a vector art .eps file made with vector art software.
If you don’t have professional graphic design software, you can hire a third-party designer, or have us create something for you. We can also convert raster images to vector art for a fee.
Print Locations and Use:
We can attach vinyl to almost any area of a garment. Vinyl is generally used for creating one or two color, one-off decoration, like small and simple company logos, name and/or numbers on sports jerseys, and prototypes for larger screen printed orders.
Our GX-24 Vinyl Cutters
Our lower heated pallet for heat pressing delicate fabrics
Left: Regular Vinyl Right: Glitter Vinyl
Printable Fabrics:
A variety of fabrics will work the types of t-shirt vinyl we stock. This includes, but isn’t limited to: 100% cotton, 50/50 cotton/polyester blend, tri blends, 100% polyester, mesh, spandex, and vinyl. For t-shirt vinyl to be securely attached to a garment, a hot heat press is required. The fabrics being decorated must be able to withstand the high temperature and pressure of a heat press. Never washed or worn apparel is recommended. If previously worn apparel is to be decorated, it is recommended the garment is washed five times in water only prior to remove any detergents from the fabric. Chemicals/detergents remaining in the garment could burn when heat pressed.
Vinyl Colors:
While a wide variety of vinyl exists in different colors for use on different fabrics, we stock vinyls meant for cotton, polyester, and cotton/polyester blends: Athletic Gold, Black, Cardinal, Grey, Fluorescent Pink, Fluorescent Green, Gold, Kelly Green, Lemon, Navy, Orange, Red, Royal, Silver, Vegas Gold, and White. In glitter vinyl, we stock: Black, Black Gold, Copper (orange), Blush, Gold, Green, Jade, Lavender, Navy, Purple, Red, Royal, Silver, Vegas Gold, and White.
Vinyl in many different colors for use on these and other fabrics can be ordered on request.
Curing:
The adhesive backing on the vinyl used to bond it to a garment is very high quality. When attached with a quality heat press for the proper time and temperature (like the ones we have), a properly applied vinyl design can provide a durable finish.
Garment Care:
Once you have your garment, proper care is necessary to achieve a normal garment and print life. For all garments, we recommend cold-water washing inside out and hang drying. You may tumble dry on fluff (no heat). Never iron over the decoration. Following these steps will help you achieve the maximum amount of life for your garment. Remember, no garment or print is designed to last forever!
Glitter flake vinyl on a tote bag
We have samples of these types of t-shirt vinyl and more in our office. Please contact us to schedule an appointment and check them out. Get your questions answered, and see if custom vinyl or glitter vinyl is right for your apparel project!
A+ Images is based in Indianapolis. Explore our service areas and contact our team to discuss your location and delivery needs.
Contract vinyl printing services and pricing are available.
For questions about t-shirt vinyl decoration, please contact us via email, or call 317-405-8955.
Frequently asked questions
What is heat-transfer vinyl for shirts?
Heat-transfer vinyl is cut into a design and applied to compatible apparel with heat and pressure. It is often useful for lettering, names, numbers, and designs using selected solid or specialty finishes.
Can you add individual names and numbers to apparel?
Yes. Vinyl can be a practical option for individual names and numbers. Provide an accurate list, garment sizes, placement, lettering size, and preferred colors when requesting your quote.
What artwork do I need for cut vinyl?
A+ Images requires vector art for cut-vinyl designs. A raster image saved with an EPS extension is still not vector artwork. Send the original file so we can assess any preparation needed.
Does vinyl work on polyester, blends, or stretch fabrics?
Different vinyl materials suit different fabrics. We review your garment’s composition, finish, and stretch before choosing an appropriate material and confirming the decoration.
How should I wash a vinyl-decorated shirt?
Follow the instructions supplied with the garment and decoration. Wash inside out in cold water, hang dry, and avoid ironing directly on the design. Ask us when the first wash is appropriate.
Have another question? Visit our complete FAQ page or contact our team.