Competition in the apparel printing industry (particularly for T-shirt printing) is getting stiffer every day with technology playing a really huge role. While I’m more interested to blog about the outcome of the printing industry, the T-shirt itself, I can’t close my eyes from witnessing what’s happening in the industry. Set aside the gloomy economy outlook.

On the technology side, digital printing gives t-shirt printers and suppliers a flexibility to execute demands without having to face “minimum order” dilemmas, especially from retail customers who often order a single piece per order. Some of them — you’ve heard these big names: Cafepress, Spreadshirt and Zazzle — take this advantage by allowing people to re-sell its printing service and get hundreds (I don’t know… maybe thousands?) so-called instant-entrepreneurs who sell their T-shirts not only to friends and family, but also across the nation and overseas.

At the same time, e-commerce technology (read: internet with its “online shopping” feature) helps them to find customers and sell their services to customers at a much lower cost on both the customer and seller side by eliminating overhead — like shop’s rent. Don’t forget about printers that use on-demand online printing technology, like InkImprints.com, that allows customers to create their own custom t shirts. As easy as 1-2-3, simply upload your t shirt design or photos, then preview it… Once you got the right look, click the “purchase” button and pay it via credit card and your order ships in 24 hours.

Modern T-shirt printing companies like InkImprints.com combines the use of screen printing and “DTG” or Direct to Garment printing for its production. It uses traditional screen printing (which known to be the best printing method to date) to handle large quantity custom shirts while they house several direct to garment printers for small run orders that require full color prints with attention to detail. This is what all modern tee shirt printing companies suppose to achieve in term of efficient work-process. Want to hear its business model? No Minimums and Free Shipping on all orders no matter what size you want.

*image courtesy of Phillie Casablanca and InkImprints.com