Belt Printing T-Shirts

Whenever a customer wants to create a finalized product that involves a screen print that covers the entire front of a t-shirt (including the sleeves) and/or the entire back of the t-shirt, they think typically thing belt printing t-shirts is the only solution.

I’m here to tell you that there is a better way, and why you may want to consider it.

But first, let’s review what belt printing is.

Belt Printing

Belt Printing T-Shirts

Belt printing, is literally printing t-shirts on a belt. A long rubber belt goes under wide screens and stops in position for a print.  It’s not more complicated than that.  This method is actually “old school”.  The top screen printing equipment manufacturers don’t even make these machines anymore. So if you are getting your t-shirts belt printed, it’s with someone that has the older style equipment.

There is nothing wrong with older equipment, but belt printers are very rare, and typically companies that have them, are hard to find and have legacy clients. This means that if you have new work, it may be unlikely that they will agree to take you on as a new customer.  If they do, you’re going to have to wait a while.

Belt printers are expensive to maintain and a scarcity.

The good news is that belt printing is no longer the prefered method of screen printing a design, all over a t-shirt.

Newer, faster technology is now available. Oval printing machines with massive pallets are now the prefered method to screen print all over a tee. These machines are fast and expensive to buy. But, they get the job done nicely.

Oval Printing

Belt Printing T-Shirts

Oversized screen printing, using oval screen printing machines, is now prefered over belt printing shirts. If you are interested in an all over screen print on a t-shirt, please consider giving us a call (908) 806-8337 or email us.