What machines do you need to make custom shirts?

Custom shirts are in high demand for businesses, events, and fashion brands. Whether you’re starting a custom T-shirt business or making shirts for personal use, you need the right machines to produce high-quality prints efficiently.

To make custom shirts, you need essential machines like a heat press, screen printing equipment, DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printers, embroidery machines, and sewing machines. Each machine plays a specific role in customizing shirts with prints, embroidery, or unique designs.

Let’s explore the machines required to create custom shirts, how they work, and which ones are best for different types of customization.

What are the essential machines for making custom shirts?

The right equipment depends on the type of customization you plan to offer.

Overview of custom shirt machines:

Machine Type	Purpose	Best For
Heat Press Machine	Transfers designs onto shirts using heat	Vinyl printing, small custom orders
Screen Printing Machine	Uses stencils and ink for high-quality prints	Bulk T-shirt printing
DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printer	Prints full-color designs directly onto fabric	Small-batch, detailed prints
Embroidery Machine	Stitches designs and logos onto shirts choosing an embroidery machine for business1	Corporate wear, uniforms
Sewing Machine	Assembles custom shirts from scratch sewing machine maintenance tips2	Handmade or fashion shirts

Now, let’s break down each machine type and how it contributes to custom shirt production.

Heat Press Machine: Best for quick, small-batch custom shirts

A heat press machine transfers designs onto fabric using heat and pressure. It works well for vinyl designs, sublimation, and DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing³.

How does a heat press machine work?

✔ A printed design (vinyl or ink transfer) is placed on the shirt.
✔ The heat press applies pressure and heat (300–400°F) to bond the design.
✔ The shirt is cooled, and the transfer paper is removed.

Best heat press machines for custom shirts:

Machine Name	Features	Price Range
Cricut EasyPress	Compact, great for beginners	$150–$300
Fancierstudio Power Heat Press	15×15 inch plate, good for T-shirts	$250–$500
Geo Knight DK20S	High-quality commercial press	$1,500+

A heat press is ideal for small businesses, DIY projects, and custom one-off designs.

Screen Printing Machine: Best for bulk shirt printing

Screen printing is the most cost-effective method for bulk custom T-shirts vinyl printing vs. screen printing⁴. It creates vibrant, long-lasting prints using ink and stencils.

How does screen printing work?

✔ A mesh screen with the design is placed over the shirt.
✔ Ink is pushed through the screen onto the fabric.
✔ The shirt is dried using a heat tunnel or flash dryer.

Best screen printing machines:

Machine Name	Features	Price Range
VEVOR 4 Color 1 Station Press	Manual, good for small businesses	$200–$500
Riley Hopkins 250 Press	Multi-color prints, durable	$1,000+
M&R Sportsman EX	Automatic screen printing	$15,000+

If you’re printing 100+ shirts per order, screen printing is the best option screen printing vs. DTG differences⁵.

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printer: Best for full-color, detailed prints

A DTG printer prints designs directly onto fabric like a regular printer. It works best for complex, multi-color prints.

How does a DTG printer work?

✔ A digital design is loaded onto the printer.
✔ The printer sprays ink directly onto the shirt.
✔ A heat press or dryer cures the ink for durability.

Best DTG printers for custom shirts:

Machine Name	Features	Price Range
Epson SureColor F2100	High-resolution printing	$10,000–$15,000
Brother GTX Pro	Fast, vibrant prints	$15,000+
Ricoh Ri 100	Compact, beginner-friendly	$3,500+

DTG printing is perfect for small-batch custom shirts with photorealistic designs.

Embroidery Machine: Best for logos and premium shirts

Embroidery machines stitch thread-based designs onto shirts, making them more durable and professional-looking than prints.

How does an embroidery machine work?

✔ A digital embroidery file is loaded into the machine.
✔ Threads are selected and set up.
✔ The machine stitches the design automatically.

Best embroidery machines:

Machine Name	Features	Price Range
Brother PE800	5×7 inch embroidery area	$700–$1,000
Janome MB-7	Multi-needle, commercial-grade	$5,000+
Tajima TMEZ-SC	Industrial embroidery	$10,000+

Embroidery is best for corporate shirts, uniforms, and luxury branding.

Sewing Machine: Best for making shirts from scratch

If you’re creating custom-designed shirts from fabric, you’ll need a sewing machine.

How does a sewing machine help in custom shirt making?

✔ Joins fabric panels together for a finished shirt.
✔ Adds hems, cuffs, and reinforced seams.
✔ Allows for full customization of fabric, fit, and style.

Best sewing machines for custom shirts:

Machine Name	Features	Price Range
Singer 4423 Heavy Duty	Good for beginners, durable	$200–$400
Juki DDL-8700	Industrial, high-speed sewing	$1,000+
Brother PQ1500SL	Great for professional use	$800–$1,200

If you want to create unique shirt designs, a high-quality sewing machine is essential.

What is the best machine for making custom shirts?

The best machine depends on your printing method and business goals.

Which machine should you choose?

Customization Type	Best Machine
Small-batch vinyl or transfers	Heat Press
Bulk orders with solid colors	Screen Printing
Detailed, colorful prints	DTG Printer
Logos and embroidery	Embroidery Machine
Sewing shirts from scratch	Sewing Machine

If you’re starting a T-shirt business, investing in a heat press or screen printing machine is the most cost-effective option.

Conclusion

Making custom shirts requires the right machines for high-quality prints, embroidery, and durability.

• Heat presses are great for quick, small-batch designs.
• Screen printing is best for bulk orders with bold designs.
• DTG printers provide full-color, detailed prints.
• Embroidery machines add a premium touch to logos and branding.
• Sewing machines allow for fully customized shirt construction.

Choosing the right equipment ensures professional results and business success in the custom T-shirt industry.

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