The Complete Guide to Custom T-Shirt Printing in London

Custom T-shirts are more than just clothing — they’re walking billboards for your brand, event, or business. Whether you’re a startup launching your first line of merch, a company creating uniforms, or an individual designing one-off pieces, choosing the right T-shirt printing service in London can make all the difference.

At Skar Printing, we specialise in helping clients turn ideas into high-quality garments. This guide covers everything you need to know about custom T-shirt printing in London: the methods, costs, turnaround times, and how to make sure your designs come out exactly as you imagined.

1. Why Choose Custom T-Shirt Printing?

• Branding: Build recognition with branded workwear or merch.

• Events: Perfect for teams, fundraisers, festivals, and corporate events.

• Fashion: Test designs for your streetwear or clothing brand.

• Personal: Celebrate birthdays, hen/stag parties, or gifts with one-off prints.

  
  

Custom T-shirts are cost-effective, versatile, and fast to produce — making them one of the most popular personalised items in London.

2. Printing Methods Explained

DTF Printing (Direct-to-Film)

• Prints onto film, then transfers to fabric with heat.

• ✅ Vibrant, durable, and works on cotton, polyester, blends, and even technical fabrics.

• ✅ Best for startups, brands, and workwear because it’s long-lasting and flexible.

  
  

DTG Printing (Direct-to-Garment)

• Prints directly onto cotton T-shirts using water-based inks.

• ✅ Smooth feel, great for detailed, colourful artwork.

• ❌ Less durable, not suitable for polyester or dark fabrics.

Screen Printing

• Ink pushed through mesh screens onto fabric.

• ✅ Very cost-effective for bulk runs (50+ shirts).

• ❌ Expensive for small orders due to setup costs.

  
  

Vinyl / Heat Transfer

• Designs cut from coloured vinyl and pressed onto shirts.

• ✅ Great for names, numbers, or simple logos.

• ❌ Limited detail, less durable than DTF or screen.

3. How Much Does Custom T-Shirt Printing Cost in London?

Pricing depends on the print method, garment type, and order size:

• One-off custom T-shirt: from £15–£25

• Small batch (10–20 shirts): from £10–£15 each

• Bulk orders (50+ shirts, screen print): as low as £5–£7 each

At Skar Printing, we keep pricing transparent and flexible, with no need for high MOQs (minimum order quantities).

4. How to Prepare Your Design

For the best results, always provide print-ready artwork:

• Vector files (.AI, .EPS, .SVG) or high-res PNG with a transparent background

• 300 DPI at actual print size

• Solid colours (no gradients or fades for DTF)

• Clearly defined white areas, since DTF printers don’t print white unless specified

  
  

Not sure if your design is ready? Our team can clean up, vectorise, or redesign your artwork so it’s perfect for print.

5. Turnaround Times

In London, speed matters. At Skar Printing:

• Same-day and next-day printing is available for urgent one-offs.

• Small runs (10–20 T-shirts): typically 2–3 days.

• Bulk orders (50+): 5–7 working days.

  
  

We pride ourselves on never missing deadlines — whether it’s one shirt or one thousand.

6. Choosing the Right T-Shirt

The garment itself matters just as much as the print:

• Budget basics: lightweight cotton tees (great for giveaways/events)

• Premium fashion: heavyweight cotton, organic cotton, or oversized fits (ideal for streetwear brands)

• Workwear: durable blends, hi-vis, or moisture-wicking technical fabrics

We can source garments for you from trusted suppliers, or you can bring your own.

7. Why Skar Printing?

• ✅ Specialists in DTF printing in London for maximum durability

• ✅ Same-day and low-MOQ services

• ✅ Artwork support so your design always comes out right

• ✅ Options for sourcing, finishing, and packaging — full-service printing under one roof