Churches often seek ways to engage their communities, encourage fellowship, and create a sense of belonging. Custom church merch can be a powerful tool in these efforts, offering an easy and effective way to spread the word about your church, raise funds, or provide practical items for members. 

Whether for a special event, a youth retreat, or everyday use, church merch helps create unity and provides lasting keepsakes.

Below is a detailed look at some easy church merch ideas, including custom apparel options from Real Thread to help you get started. 

Custom t-shirts are a popular choice for church merchandise. They’re versatile and easy to customize with screen printing or embroidery methods. Whether you’re designing tees for a youth group, a mission trip, or simply as a gift for members, the possibilities are endless.

Bella + Canvas 3001 Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee

The Bella + Canvas 3001 is a soft, lightweight tee perfect for church events. Available in a wide range of colors, it features a comfortable fit and smooth printing surface, making it ideal for custom designs featuring your church’s logo or a Bible verse.

Simple Logo Tees: Feature your church logo prominently on the front or back. Choose colors that align with your church branding. 

Event Tees: Create custom t-shirts for events like mission trips, youth group outings, or VBS.

Faith-Based Graphics: Incorporate Bible verses, Christian symbols, or inspirational quotes to resonate with church members. 

Custom Hoodies and Sweatshirts: Perfect for Cooler Weather

As the seasons change, hoodies and sweatshirts are a great way to keep your congregation warm while promoting your church. These trendy items are also great for youth groups and fall or winter events. 

Independent Trading Co. SS4500 Midweight Pullover Hoodie

This midweight hoodie is a cozy option for cooler days, offering comfort and durability. Its high-quality cotton-poly blend comes in multiple colors and ensures your custom designs will last wash after wash.

Minimalist Designs: Opt for a small church logo or message on the chest or sleeve.

Youth Group Hoodies: Bold, colorful designs for your youth group will resonate with a younger audience and help create a sense of unity during events.

Custom hats and beanies are functional, stylish, and suitable for all seasons. They are ideal for church outings, fundraisers, or as gifts for volunteers. 

This cap is perfect for casual church events. It can be embroidered with your church’s logo or a meaningful Bible verse. 

Snapback Hats: For a more structured look, snapbacks can feature bold logos or artwork.

Beanies for Winter: Keep your congregation warm during winter events with custom beanies that feature the church name or an inspirational message.

Tote bags are practical and offer a large canvas for your church’s designs. They’re perfect for carrying bibles, notebooks, or groceries, making them a favorite for church members.

This sturdy, 100% cotton canvas tote is a durable option for everyday use. Its larger size and clean design make it an ideal canvas for custom prints. 

Bible Verse Totes: Feature an inspirational verse or uplifting message that will resonate with your congregation. 

Event or Retreat Totes: Customize tote bags for church events, making them a memorable keepsake for participants. 

Blankets are unique and cozy merch items used at outdoor church events, picnics, youth group lock-ins, or for comfort at home. A custom church-branded blanket will be a cherished item for many.

Made from sustainable materials, this cozy, eco-friendly blanket is soft and durable, a perfect canvas for custom embroidery. 

Pet Bandanas: For Your Four-Legged Friends

Consider offering custom pet bandanas to pet owners in your congregation. They’re a fun and unique way to involve pets in church events or fundraisers. 

This US-made bandana is the perfect accessory for your furry friends! It's also perfect for your pups (we’re not sure how happy your kitties would be if you tried to wrangle them into a bandana… haha!).

Match with your mini-me! Children’s apparel, such as onesies or toddler shirts, makes adorable church merchandise. These items are perfect for church nurseries, gifts to young families, Sunday school, or VBS groups. 

Bella + Canvas 100B Infant Jersey Short Sleeve One-Piece

This soft, comfortable onesie is a great custom youth apparel choice when ordering church merchandise. It is designed with 100% Airlume combed and ringspun cotton, creating a perfectly printable surface that’s soft to the touch. 

Bella + Canvas 3001Y Youth Short Sleeve Tee

This youth tee fits like a well-loved favorite. It features a crew neck, short sleeves, and superior Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton that acts as a blank canvas for printing. 

Creating custom church merch is an excellent way to foster community, raise funds, and spread the word about your church. With a range of items like custom tees, hoodies, hats, and more, you can tailor your merchandise to suit your needs. 

Using high-quality garments from Real Thread, your church merch order will not only look great but also last for years. Connect with one of our experienced printing pros to bring your vision to life.

Check out these easy church merch ideas, perfect for your community!

Easy Church Merch Ideas: Simple and Impactful Custom Apparel for Your Congregation

Quality is paramount in the world of custom t-shirts. Regarding these tees, nothing quite compares to Pima (or maybe you know it as Supima) cotton’s luxurious feel and durability.

Renowned for its exceptional softness, strength, and vibrant color retention, Pima cotton is the gold standard in premium clothing materials, and is one of the softest custom t-shirts. For retailers looking to offer their customers the best, Pima cotton t-shirts wholesale presents an unbeatable opportunity.

Pima cotton, also known as Supima (short for superior Pima!), is a rare and prized variety of cotton exclusively grown in the United States. Pima's extra-long staple fibers, which account for less than 1% of the world’s cotton supply, set it apart from conventional cotton. These longer fibers result in a smoother, stronger yarn that produces fabrics of unparalleled quality.

Unmatched Softness: Pima cotton fibers are finer than regular cotton fibers, resulting in a luxuriously soft fabric that feels gentle against the skin. T-shirts made from Pima cotton offer a level of comfort that is second to none, making them a favorite among discerning customers.

Exceptional Durability: Thanks to its long staple fibers, Pima cotton is inherently more durable and resistant to pilling, tearing, and stretching than conventional cotton. This means that Pima cotton t-shirts maintain their shape and integrity wash after wash, ensuring long-lasting wearability. 

Vibrant Color Retention: One of the most notable qualities of Pima cotton is its ability to hold dye exceptionally well. As a result, t-shirts made from Pima cotton retain their vibrant colors wash after wash, maintaining their like-new appearance for longer. 

Breathability & Comfort: Despite its durability, Pima cotton is also highly breathable, making it ideal for year-round wear. Whether worn as an undershirt or a standalone piece. Pima cotton t-shirts offer unparalleled comfort and breathability, keeping wearers cool and comfortable in any climate.

For retailers seeking to offer their customers the ultimate quality and comfort, pima cotton t-shirts wholesale is an opportunity to present something enticing. By partnering with suppliers specializing in Pima cotton (PS: We know a guy… hint hint), retailers can access arious styles and colors to suit their customers’ preferences. 

Wholesale purchasing offers several advantages for retailers, including competitive pricing, bulk ordering options, and access to exclusive designs. By stocking their inventory with Pima cotton t-shirts, custom t-shirts if you’re a cool cat, retailers can attract customers who value premium quality and are willing to invest in superior comfort and longevity garments.

Furthermore, offering Pima cotton t-shirts can set retailers apart from their competitors and establish their brand as a purveyor of quality and luxury. With the growing demand for sustainable and ethically sourced clothing, Pima cotton’s American-grown origins and eco-friendly production methods appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

In a market saturated with fast fashion and disposable clothing, Pima cotton t-shirts stand out as a beacon of quality, comfort, and sustainability. For retailers looking to elevate their offerings and provide their customers with the best, Pima cotton t-shirts wholesale represent an unparalleled opportunity.

Retailers can tap into a lucrative market and satisfy the demand for superior-quality apparel. In the custom apparel printing world, trends may come and go, but the timeless appeal of Pima cotton endures. Hey it’s good for custom embroidery too, by the way. Just sayin’. 

Invest in quality, invest in comfort, invest in Pima cotton t-shirts wholesale.

If this feels like an overload of information, have no fear. We can do all the “heavy lifting” when it comes to ordering pima cotton t-shirts wholesale, or any custom apparel blanks, tbh. 

You can email us or chat with one of our printing pros online any weekday from 9 am until 5 pm EST.  We’re ready when you are!

Real Thread is a trusted name in the industry, known for our commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and elevating the everyday- especially when it comes to custom t-shirt printing. 

While your creative juices are flowing, check out our T-Shirt Buyer’s Guide; we cover everything from ink and fabric types to t-shirt recommendations to money-saving tipsso that you’re fully equipped to order the perfect custom apparel.

Learn the ins and outs of ordering Pima cotton t-shirts wholesale. 

Pima Cotton T-shirts Wholesale: What's the Appeal?

Reflective screen printing is one technique that stands out as a beacon of innovation in custom apparel. Beyond mere aesthetics, this method intertwines functionality and flair, infusing garments with safety-enhancing visibility and eye-catching allure. 

Delve into the intricacies of reflective screen printing as we illuminate its process, unveil its benefits, and explore its burgeoning popularity within custom t-shirts.

Understanding Reflective Screen Printing:

Reflective screen printing is a specialized printing process that uses reflective ink to create designs on fabric. Unlike traditional screen printing methods, which utilize regular inks, reflective screen printing employs ink containing thousands of tiny glass beads or retroreflective microspheres. 

These microscopic beads can reflect light to their source, making the printed design appear bright and luminous when illuminated by headlights, flashlights, or any other light source.

The process of reflective screen printing shares similarities with conventional screen printing but incorporates specific steps to ensure the reflective properties of the ink are optimized. 

Here’s a simplified overview of the process:

Artwork Preparation: The process begins with creating or adapting the artwork intended for printing. Designers may need to modify the artwork to ensure it is suitable for reflective printing and achieves the desired effect.

Screen Preparation: A mesh screen is prepared by coating it with a light-sensitive emulsion. The artwork is then transferred onto the screen using a photographic process, creating a stencil.

Ink Preparation: Reflective ink containing tiny glass beads or reflective microspheres is prepared for printing. The ink must be carefully mixed to ensure uniform distribution of the reflective particles.

Printing: The prepared screen is placed over the garment, and the reflective ink is applied onto the fabric through the stencil using a squeegee. Multiple layers of ink may be applied to achieve the desired level of reflectivity and opacity.

Curing: Once the printing is complete, the garment is subjected to heat to cure the ink and bond it permanently to the fabric. This ensures the durability and washability of the printed design.

Quality Control: Finally, the printed garments undergo quality control checks to ensure that the reflective designs meet the desired standards in terms of both aesthetics and functionality.

Reflective screen printing offers a range of benefits that make it a popular choice for custom apparel, including:

Visibility and Safety: Reflective designs enhance visibility in low-light conditions, making wearers more noticeable to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. This is particularly beneficial for outdoor activities such as running, cycling, or walking at night.

Aesthetic Appeal: Reflective printing adds a unique and eye-catching element to garments. The designs appear subtle under normal lighting conditions but come to life when illuminated by light sources.

Durability: When applied correctly, reflective prints are highly durable and resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling. This ensures the reflective properties remain intact even after multiple washes and prolonged use.

Customization: Reflective screen printing allows for customizing designs, enabling businesses, organizations, and individuals to create bespoke garments that reflect their brand identity, message, or personal style.

Versatility: Reflective printing can be applied to a wide range of apparel items, including t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, hats, and safety vests, offering versatility in both design options and application possibilities.

Applications of Reflective Screen Printing

Reflective screen printing finds diverse applications across various industries and contexts, including:

Sports and Athletics: Reflective apparel is commonly used in sports and athletic activities to enhance visibility and safety, particularly during early morning or evening workouts.

Workwear and Uniforms: Many companies and organizations incorporate reflective elements into their workwear and uniforms to increase the visibility of their employees, especially those working in low-light or high-traffic environments.

Event Merchandise: Reflective screen printing is often utilized to create merchandise for events such as marathons, charity walks, and outdoor festivals, where visibility and safety are paramount concerns.

Fashion and Streetwear: Reflective prints have also found a niche in the fashion and streetwear industries, adding a futuristic and attention-grabbing element to clothing and accessories.

Safety Gear: Reflective printing is extensively used in producing safety gear and equipment, including vests, jackets, and helmets worn by construction workers, road crews, and emergency responders.

Is Reflective Printing Right For Your Custom Apparel Order?

Reflective screen printing represents a convergence of functionality and creativity, offering practical benefits and aesthetic appeal. 

As the demand for custom apparel grows, reflective printing remains a popular choice for businesses, organizations, and individuals seeking to elevate their garments with eye-catching designs that prioritize visibility and safety. 

With its versatility, durability, and striking visual impact, reflective screen printing will remain a cornerstone of the custom apparel industry for years.

If you’re unsure whether this technique suits you and your custom apparel printing order, contact our team of printing pros. They can help you decide the best course of action regarding the softest custom t-shirts money can buy. 

Discover how reflective screen printing enhances safety and style in custom apparel.

Short question. Huge implications. Choosing a shirt can be difficult. To help you choose the best shirt for your project, we made a handy shirt guide. This thing is full of easy to understand information on different shirt blends. See the highlights below.

What in the world is a shirt blend?: Wonder why you love certain shirts and hate others? This has a lot to do with the fabric blends. Learn how these types of t-shirt fabrics and blends work together to make your shirt.

How do different blends affect my artwork?: Understand how fabric blends impact how a design is placed on your shirt. See examples of one design across many different shirt blends.

What do I do next?: A collection of suggested shirts for you to use on your next project and a gallery of great prints for you to get inspired by.

Learn about the differences between types of t-shirt fabrics and blends! 

To get you started on your custom printed tags, we’ve revealed 12 of our favorite tag templates.

Your shirt is going to be incredible. Start working on your custom t-shirt tags today!

To get you started on your custom t-shirt tags, we\'ve provided 12 of our favorite tag templates. 

12 Custom Tag Templates for Your Next T-Shirt Project

Using discharge ink  for discharge printing on polyester shirts actually produces very unique results. The color of the polyester will determine the finished look, but if you are aware of the results you can achieve, you can use discharge printing on polyester to your advantage to get the look you love!

Here’s a photo of the same red discharge ink on 3 different shirts. You can see that even though we used the exact same ink on all the garments, the fabric played a huge role in the outcome.

Top left: red discharge on a black AA2001 (100% cotton) - there is no polyester in this shirt, thus producing a bright red! This is typically the case with most 100% cotton shirts. There are a few colors that do not discharge well like red and royal blue.

Top right: red discharge on a black AABB401 (poly/cotton blend) - there is polyester in this shirt and it happens to be black, so that’s why it’s producing a more worn look. This is a GREAT option if you are wanting a vintage looking shirt without the bright colors. 

Bottom: red discharge on a heather black AABB401 (poly/cotton blend) - there is polyester in this shirt and it happens to be white, so it’s producing a pretty solid bright red with a slight heathered look.

These are actually 3 of the 11 fabrics going into our new sample booklets coming out soon! Make sure to request a sample, so you can see and feel the fabrics before placing your next order! 

To learn more about discharge ink on polyester and to see other examples, check these out:


Discover 3 different ways of discharge printing on cotton and polyester fabrics. 

Discharge Printing 3 Ways: Same Ink, 3 Unique Looks

Motorcycle club designs are known for their impressive iconography, but the matching merch is about much more than just an eye-catching logo. A sea of bikers cruising by in custom motorcycle club apparel can speak even louder than the snarling beasts they’re perched on and leave an impact long after the engine’s roar has faded away. 

Motorcycle club apparel—like custom t-shirts, sweaters/jackets, or even face masks—is a mark of community which can bind a group together and tell a compelling story about the club in the process. Whether you’re a group of new riders, highway hounds, or veteran cruisers, here are five reasons to rep your set with custom biker gang clothing (and more).  

Why did you start riding? Maybe it was to save gas, or to look cool (no judgement!), or to inject some fun into your commute. Ask enough bikers why they ride, however, and you’ll begin to hear a common answer: the people. Waves from passing motorcyclists, compliments—or playful jabs—from fellow riders, and access to any number of rallies and festivals are evidence that the motorcyclist community is very real, and custom motorcycle club apparel is an excellent way to foster that same sense of community among your rider group.  ‍

‍On or off your bike, custom moto club shirts guarantee you’ll be seen. Stunning custom designs can spark up conversation with fellow riders—allowing you to bond over how you both “would rather be riding right now”—and potentially pique the interest of a prospective member in the process. Custom gear can also create an air of exclusivity and make existing members feel even more proud to be a part of the club. Whether you’re looking to grow your club or instill envy in non-members, custom motorcycle club designs are the way to go.

‍Stick together even when you’re apart

‍In challenging times (including—but not limited to—a pandemic, ahem) group rides may be on pause for any number of reasons. But that doesn’t mean your club pride has to be! Whether away for the holidays, distancing due to COVID, or just plain busy (it happens!), motorcycle club designs on t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and masks are a great way to stick together despite the distance—while fueling anticipation for that next joyous group ride.

‍Pro-tip: print more than you need, because even non-members will love a motorcycle club support shirt! 

Create a culture that lasts long after the ride ends‍

The best motorcycle club designs are visually stunning, but they also help to create a brand around the club and its particular culture. As much as motorcycle club apparel is designed to represent your club, it also tethers the club to motorcycling at large and all clubs that came before—creating a generations long “brotherhood” or “sisterhood” and honoring a long-standing tradition. Whether you’re rough riders or friendly flyers, your custom motorcycle club apparel perfectly captures your group’s culture and cements your place in motorcycle club history.

‍Keep comfortable on even the longest rides‍

Real Thread custom shirts are where fun meets function, and on long rides you’ll want to make sure your custom motorcycle club apparel feels as good as it looks. With fabrics, fits, and textures for any taste and comfort level, custom prints from Real Thread make for a comfortable and breathable base layer on short cruises and marathon rides alike. ‍

Whether you’re looking to show some club pride, nail down the perfect Christmas gift for the riders in your life, or create a lasting legacy for your bike gang, custom motorcycle club apparel will get the job done. And no matter the goal, Real Thread is your go-to for custom motorcycle club apparel. With hundreds of styles to choose from and comfortable and resilient fabrics guaranteed to please the whole gang, the experts in all things custom at Real Thread will help you rep your club and ride in style. Plus, our 20-item order minimum accommodates clubs of all sizes—so as your rider group grows, your rate will shrink. ‍

Ready to get your custom order started? We thought so! Real Thread makes the entire process a breeze—allowing you to drag and drop your design on any style and perfect your finished product. If you need an extra hand, however, our printing pros are on standby and are ready to help you create the best motorcycle club gear the open road has ever seen. 


You've never looked cooler—read, then ride. 

Hit the Road in Style With Custom Motorcycle Club T-Shirts

1. A message that doesn’t connect with your market, employees, fans and users.
More than likely, you have a following of people wearing your shirts because they are particularly interested in what you do. They might be employees or customers, but either way, they believe in what you’re doing. Make sure the message you intend to get across, gets across. Successful brands are consistent! We’ve seen more times than you can imagine off the wall designs that are not congruent with the brands message, lifestyle or values. Don’t find this out when it’s too late. Seek honest feedback and take it graciously. 


2. A design that is not consistent with the brand or other designs. 
Just because you’re a designer doesn’t mean you should design everything - especially if it’s not consistent with your brand. We’re not saying don’t go outside the box and get creative, but if you typically design rocket t-shirts and this time you’re trying to throw in a monkey, just don’t do it. Stick to your rockets or things that are parallel. This is not to say don’t experiment with different trends or other styles of printing like tonal, sim process or foil. If you’re ready to try something new, check out these 20 ideas to try on your next custom screen-printed shirt. 


3. A low quality art file that could produce a distorted image. 
There are plenty of resources available to produce high resolution files that are good for printing and leave you with a quality t shirt design. There are also plenty of to-scale templates that will help you visualize what your design will look like once printed. Set your proportions accurately and visually create what you want to see in the end. Real Thread has an art team that can provide assistance. If you need help in this area, we would be happy to help. 

Consider where you stand in these three areas, take advantage of the free resources and tools available and lets make your best shirt yet! 

Discover these bad t-shirt design ideas and find out what not to do in your next design. 

Let’s set the scene. You have your custom t-shirt idea. You have your words, colors, design—all the things. Now it’s time to choose the best t-shirt fonts. But what do you want your shirt font to say about the wearer? Who’s your target audience?

When picking fonts for t-shirts, it’s important to consider who will be wearing your design. You don’t want the cool Gen Z dance team you’re working with saying their competition t-shirts are cheugy. And you definitely want your customers to wear your shirt proudly long after the event instead of immediately demoting it to their pajama drawer. So how do you choose the best font for t-shirts, and specifically for your t-shirts?

We put the personality in your t-shirts with our print and embroidery services. Get startedwith us after you choose your favorite fonts for shirts! Upload your design to see how it all looks together or let us know how we can help you with a seamless order process. But first, let’s tackle this font question.

Quick crash course, coming at ya. There are a few different font styles you can choose from when putting the final touches on your design.

Serif fonts are defined by their serifs, which are the extra bits at the ends of the letter’s strokes.

Sans serif fonts are fonts, well, without those serifs.

Script fonts emulate a fluid stroke or handwriting.

And finally, decorative fonts have extreme features to them and are typically used for ornamental purposes rather than main text in a design.

It's no secret that personality tests are all the rage these days, and we think that fonts (and the ones we are drawn to over others) may actually reveal core truths about our personalities, values, and interests.

So, with that, we're here to give you a little insight into what your customer’s favorite kind of t-shirt fonts might say about them.

Times New Roman? A jam. Garamond? Even better.

They love to relax with a hot cup of tea and a good book. They read the morning paper—even if it’s on their phone. They have a competitive collection of cardigans only rivaled by Taylor Swift.

They expect their fashion sense to exude the same level of poise and posture to which they aspire. If they’re wearing a t-shirt, it’s classy. High-end. Posh. There’s probably a joke about Shakespeare involved.

Nothing says “take me seriously” like a serif font. If you want your t-shirts to attract folks who listen to classical music with the windows open on cool mornings, you can’t go wrong with serifs.

Check out some of these serif fonts for t-shirts:

They’re chill. Chillaxed. Cool as a winter Florida evening when the sun goes down at 5 p.m.

Arial? Sounds good. Helvetica? Helveti-yes.

They love three-day weekends. They kick off their shoes the first chance they get. They keep their freezer stocked with their favorite frozen treat so they’re always ready to wind down at the end of the day.

They live in t-shirts. Bonus if their t-shirt is super soft and double bonus if it’s oversized. In fact, triple bonus if it says something along the lines of “One More Episode” or features their favorite podcast. They also wore biker shorts with big t-shirts before it was a trend.

Use a sans serif font to give your t-shirt a relaxed vibe. These fonts are typically easy to read, which makes it easier for you to get your message across. And that’s the perfect way to get the attention of folks who like to take it easy.

Explore these sans serif fonts for t-shirts:

They’re a little bit extra. But in a good way!

Permanent Marker? A favorite. Pacifico? Kicking it up a notch.

They love throw pillows. They wait to say “when” to stop the cheese a few seconds longer than everyone else at Olive Garden. Chances are, they also curate their Instagram feed to fit a certain color theme or style or pattern.

They’re a master of the French tuck and any outfit isn’t complete until they throw a blazer over their t-shirt. They understand that casual wear is just a suggestion, so they style their t-shirts to stand out above the rest. Contrary to popular belief, wearing t-shirts isn’t beneath them. They just demand a certain amount of elegance to their t-shirt style! Script fonts look especially good on a t-shirt when the design utilizes custom embroidery—it's perfect for bringing a bit of elegance to your final product. 

Script fonts deliver that elegance. Out of all the kinds of shirt fonts you could choose from, the right script font for you can make or break your shirt design. Take your t-shirt from cheugy to trendy by picking one of these suggestions.

They’re fun. It’s an indisputable fact. They’re the fun friend.

Love Ya Like A Sister? Love to see it. Wire One? Rad.

They love games—board games, computer games, puzzle games, phone games. They show up with a smoothie in hand, almost always. They have a massive supply of stickers they’ve been building up since grade school, and people love getting birthday cards from them to see which ones they’ve included.

T-shirts are a fashion staple in their wardrobe. They’ll wear t-shirts with anything, to anything, and for everything. They wear their t-shirts with ripped jeans, basketball shorts, roller blades, or over a swimsuit—whatever it is, they’re having fun!

Decorative fonts make the best fonts for t-shirts because they’re as fun as the folks who will want to wear them! Add a bit of pep in the font choice to make the t-shirt pop. Get ready to hear, “Where’d you get that?” 

Take note of these decorative fonts for t-shirts:

We've got a great visual guide (and some free downloads) to some awesome fonts in our blog post 20 Free Font Downloads — and How to Use Them in Your Next T-Shirt Design!

More of a visual learner? We've also got a great video guide to designing with fonts in mind.

Don’t let shirt fonts be the toughest decision you will make today. Make the choice an easy one and use these guidelines to get you started!

If you have any questions about a specific font and how it will look on one of our t-shirts, please drop us a line! We’d be happy to talk fonts with you any time.

P.S. Whatever you do, stay away from Comic Sans. Please. 


Learn what your favorite t-shirt font says about you—watch out, Myers–Briggs. 

T-Shirt Fonts: The Ultimate Personality Test?

In today's environmentally conscious world, businesses across industries are seeking sustainable practices to reduce their ecological footprint. The printing industry is no exception. Traditional screen printing methods often involve solvent-based inks, which can release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and contribute to air pollution.

However, a more environmentally friendly alternative exists in the form of water-based ink screen printing. This blog explores how water-based ink screen printing can significantly reduce the environmental impact of printing processes.

Understanding Water-Based Ink Screen Printing

Water-based ink screen printing is a more eco-friendly technique that replaces petroleum-based solvents with water as the primary pigment carrier. Unlike traditional plastisol inks, which rely on chemical reactions to adhere to fabrics, water-based inks penetrate the material's fibers, resulting in a softer, more natural feel to the printed design. This approach significantly reduces the emission of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere and makes water-based inks a more sustainable option for screen printing.

We even wrote a whole article on the difference between plastisol (BOOOOOOOOO) and water-based inks (YAYYYYYYY), you should check it out. 

One of the most significant environmental benefits of water-based ink screen printing is its ability to reduce air pollution. Traditional solvent-based inks release VOCs, which can contribute to ground-level ozone and smog formation. These harmful pollutants can lead to respiratory issues and environmental degradation. Screen printing businesses can substantially minimize their VOC emissions by using water-based inks, promoting cleaner air and a healthier environment for workers and the community.

Water pollution is a significant concern in the textile and printing industry. The runoff from traditional solvent-based ink printing can contaminate water sources, threatening aquatic life and potentially entering the human food chain. On the other hand, water-based ink screen printing minimizes the risk of water pollution as it is less likely to leach harmful chemicals into waterways. Additionally, by using water-based inks, printers can reduce water consumption and contribute to water conservation efforts.

Water-based ink screen printing typically requires lower curing temperatures than traditional methods. The reduced curing temperature reduces energy consumption during printing, decreasing carbon footprint. By adopting water-based ink screen printing, businesses can align their operations with sustainability goals, conserve energy resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Water-based inks contain natural components that are more biodegradable than the chemicals found in traditional solvent-based inks. This makes water-based ink prints more environmentally friendly and less harmful to landfill ecosystems. Moreover, clothing items printed with water-based inks are easier to recycle due to the absence of toxic chemicals that could interfere with the recycling process. This promotes the circular economy, reducing waste and supporting sustainable manufacturing practices.

Beyond the environmental advantages, water-based ink screen printing also enhances the safety and well-being of printing industry workers. Traditional solvent-based inks can release harmful fumes, posing health risks to employees who work with these substances regularly. Switching to water-based inks reduces exposure to hazardous chemicals, creating a safer and healthier working environment for all involved.

As environmental regulations become more stringent worldwide, businesses are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. By transitioning to water-based ink screen printing, companies can align themselves with evolving environmental standards, making them more compliant and competitive. Meeting regulatory requirements also enhances their reputation as environmentally responsible entities, which can attract eco-conscious customers and partners.

We’ve been screen printing with water-based inks since 2009.

Embracing water-based ink screen printing not only reduces the ecological footprint of the printing industry but also supports a more sustainable future for all. As consumers become increasingly conscious of environmental issues, businesses that adopt eco-friendly practices will undoubtedly gain a competitive advantage while contributing to a greener world. We can help with that. 

Real Thread is the custom apparel industry leader in water-based screenprinting. We don’t use plastisol inks, but choose to print solely with water-based and discharge inks for a reason. Aside from the eco-friendly aspects of it all, when printing with water-based ink, the print is softer, more breathable, and more durable than its competitor, yielding a better overall t-shirt that people are going to love wearing again and again.

Ready to start printing some eco-conscious apparel? We’re here to print with our water-based inks whenever you’re ready.

In the meantime, check out our list of sustainable products. Make it a doubly-eco-friendly whammy of an order.

Discover the power of water-based ink screen printing in reducing environmental impact. Explore how this eco-friendly alternative lowers air and water pollution, conserves energy, and ensures worker safety.

How Water-Based Ink Screen Printing Reduces Environmental Impact

Brooklyn is a premier choice for residing in the vibrant state of New York. Its charming streets adorned with brownstones exude a distinctive character, and the atmosphere is constantly lively. 

Brooklyn offers a one-of-a-kind experience, boasting an array of exceptional culinary delights, live music venues, picturesque waterfronts, captivating street art, iconic attractions like Coney Island, Prospect Park, the majestic Brooklyn Bridge, and an abundance of other captivating local treasures. 

PLUS- some pretty darn good pizza. “Now I want a slice…”

The options are endless when choosing screen printers and embroiderers in Brooklyn, New York. A city filled with talented and artistic people calls for custom apparel to help express creativity.

We assume you've found this article because you are local to Brooklyn or NYC, searching for a business to create custom threads for you and your brand or organization, right?

We've been in the industry for over a decade and are always interested in learning about the nationwide screen printing fam, so it's exciting to share some of the best options with you. 

We're here to share some of the best screen printers in Brooklyn, NY. 

We compiled a list of some of the most highly-rated print shops on Google and added a bit of a background context about each shop so you get to know them a bit. 

*Note: These are in no particular order; they all had great reviews, so we wanted to share them with you.

Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's get into it. 

Now for some of the most highly-rated screen printers in Brooklyn, NY.

Okay, so maybe you know, or you don't. BUT Real Thread is based in sunny Orlando, FL.

You may think, "Wait, this is an article about Brooklyn… isn’t it?"

That is correct. HOWEVER- Real Thread ships nationwide, helping many businesses in New York and beyond. 

SO… Let us be the first to tell you that Real Thread is here to be your one-stop shop for all things custom apparel.

Real Thread screen prints with water-based inks. These inks are superior to the industry standard ink (plastisol ink). What's the main difference between the two?

Instead of coating the shirt with a thick layer of plastic, water-based inks dye the garment directly with your print. The ink soaks into the garment's fibers, dying your design INTO the shirt instead of onto it. This results in a super soft and long-lasting impression (literally AND figuratively). 

Real Thread also offers embroidery, fulfillment, and a wide range of add-on services that set us apart from your average print shop. We even have glow-in-the-dark ink that'll make you say "OOOH" and "AHH" and things of that nature.

MoreGraphics & Textures Articles