Can I Get White Printing on a Dark Sun Shirt? - Ask Elmo
Dear Elmo,
Can I get white printing on a dark sun shirt?
Yes, but... you might want a different option. Here comes a big long answer that tells you why.
To print white on a dark shirt, we would need to use a different type of printing than we normally use for UPF50 fabric. Keep reading for a crash course on the difference between dye-sublimation printing and DTF printing.
Dye-Sublimation Printing vs. DTF Printing
Dye-Sublimation Printing Explained
We typically use dye-sublimation printing on the sun shirts. This is a process where the ink is absorbed into the fabric.
This means the design won’t crack, peel or block the airflow. It also means the color of the printing needs to be darker than the shirt. There is no white ink with this option, although white areas can show through if the design is printed on a white shirt.
Because the ink is absorbed into the fabric, the color of the graphic will be affected by the color of the shirt. See images below for an example.
DTF Printing Explained
If you wanted a dark shirt with white printing, we could still create it on a sun shirt, but a different type of printing would need to be used. In this case we would use DTF, or direct-to-film printing, where the design is “stuck” on the front of the fabric.
You still get a high-quality print, but it will not be breathable like the dye-sublimation option. DTF can be used on sun shirts as well as cotton and tri-blend shirts of any color.
Quick Note on this Dye-Sublimation vs. DTF Printing Blog
This blog is from a series called: Short Answers to Common Sun Shirt Questions. We could have put all the info in one big-long blog but then it would be one big-long thing to read. We’re keeping it short and sweet.
Know that when it comes to sun tips and sun shirt questions, we got you covered – in UPF sun protective clothing to be exact. Visit our Cape Life shop in downtown Cape Coral or shop online right here at CapeLifeApparel.com.
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