Custom Printed Shirts: Customer Review and Print Guide

Robert, an Arklavo customer, left a review in September 2024 on a custom logo tee listing. What the review praises is how the design was applied: it says the shirt was really printed, as opposed to the sticky, cheap paint type of finish. The words are below, exactly as written.

Arklavo customer review

“I really like that it was really printed and not that sticky cheap paint type of stuff very nice job”

Robert, September 2024

What was ordered

The review was left on a listing for a custom logo tee with options for a company logo, team shirt or personal text and graphics. Robert does not say how many shirts were ordered, what kind of business or group they were for, what color they were or exactly which printing method was used. The listing is titled as a Comfort Colors custom logo shirt and does not name AS Colour, so this page makes no claim that the reviewed shirt came from AS Colour. What it can do is take the review's one clear point, that a real print feels different from a painted-on look, and explain what to look for when you order.

What a good print should feel like

The review's contrast with the alternative is easy to recognize. A poor print sits on top of the fabric like a layer of plastic. It feels stiff or tacky, and it can crack or peel after a few washes. A good print is part of the shirt's hand feel, with the ink or transfer working with the fibers instead of sitting on them.

Several things influence that result, and most of them are choices you can make before you order.

• Artwork size. Large solid blocks of ink feel heavier on any shirt. If feel matters to you, keep the design moderate in size or choose artwork with open areas.
• Garment color. Dark shirts usually need more ink to show a design, which can change the feel. Light shirts need less.
• Fabric. Smoother cotton generally takes fine detail better than very textured fabric. Read the product page for the style you are considering.
• Method. The right method for the artwork matters more than any single feature of the shirt.

Picking the tee: short sleeve, long sleeve, or both

For most teams a short sleeve tee is the base. Start by browsing decorated apparel and decide on neckline, fit and color. Then consider whether a second option helps. Teams that work in cool rooms, outdoors in the shoulder seasons, or in air-conditioned stores often want a long sleeve alternative in the same color.

That is where custom long sleeve t-shirts come in. Using one logo on both a short and long sleeve version keeps a group looking consistent, and the long sleeve gives people an option instead of forcing a single choice. Check the size charts separately, because a long sleeve style may fit differently from its short sleeve sibling.

Decoration method and logo placement

Arklavo offers DTG printing, heat press, embroidery and, on select items, DTF. For a tee, printing is usually the better match for artwork with several colors, gradients or larger shapes, while embroidery fits simple, solid marks on small areas. If you want to avoid a heavy or glossy feel, favor moderate artwork sizes and light garment colors, since large solid areas feel heaviest on any shirt. We cannot promise one method is right for every design, but the proof shows how it will be placed.

On placement, the left chest is the conventional spot and works well for compact logos. A center chest print suits bigger artwork. Back prints give a shirt a second life, and a sleeve print is a quiet extra detail for a team. Keep the print out of seams and collars, where it tends to wrinkle.

Artwork tips

• Vector files (SVG, PDF, AI, EPS) give the sharpest edges. PNG and JPG are also accepted if large and clear.
• Remove the background from your logo so no box prints around it.
• Check contrast: pale ink on a pale shirt will vanish, even when the file looks good on screen.
• Keep text readable at the size it will print. If your wordmark has tiny lettering, enlarge it or drop it.

How ordering works at Arklavo

Sizing and care

Collect sizes from each person and compare against a tee they already like. Ask people to follow the care label and wash printed shirts inside out, which protects the print and helps it last. Check the product page for care notes on the style you pick, since fabrics differ.

Reordering the same shirt

A saved design and a reorder with no minimum make matching a shirt later straightforward. Order a few more in the sizes you missed, or add a long sleeve version of the same design. Review the proof again, particularly if the garment color changes, because the same logo can feel different on a new color.

Frequently asked questions

Will the design feel like a sticker or paint on the shirt?

It depends on the artwork size, the shirt color and the method. Smaller, simpler designs on light fabric feel lighter. Check the product page for the style you are considering, and look at the proof to see how large the design sits on the shirt.

Which print method will be used?

The right method depends on your artwork and the garment. Arklavo offers DTG printing, heat press, embroidery and DTF on select items. Check the proof before you approve it.

Is the reviewed shirt an AS Colour?

This page makes no such claim. The reviewed listing is titled as a Comfort Colors custom logo shirt and does not name AS Colour. The product page shows the colors and sizes for the style you are considering.

Is there a minimum order?

No. You can order a single piece, and discounts start at 10.

How long does it take?

Production runs about 2 business days after you approve the proof, and US delivery takes 3 to 5 business days beyond that.

What if the print arrives with a defect?

A defect reported within 30 days is remade, repaired or refunded.

Want to see how your design would look on a tee? Request a quote and review a free digital proof first.