FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Whether you're wondering how to prepare your artwork, what print method suits your design, or how long delivery takes — this page covers the questions we get asked the most. From bulk orders and sustainable garment options to shipping, sizing, and file setup, you'll find clear answers to help you get started.
🚚 Orders & Delivery
📦 What is your turnaround time for orders?
We aim to dispatch orders within 3 business days, but allow 5–10 working days during peak times or for large bulk orders. Orders placed through our online product designer usually ship within this timeframe. You can also customise hoodies, vests and sweatshirts.
💻 How do I place an order online?
To order, just upload your design through our custom t-shirt tool. You’ll be able to adjust sizing, layout and see a live preview before placing your order. Don’t forget to check the artwork guidelines to make sure your print looks its best.
📊 How do I place a bulk order?
For orders of 50 or more, visit our bulk t-shirt printing page and fill in the form. One of our team will get back to you with pricing, garment options, and lead times. You can also browse the Ultimate Guide to Branded Clothing for tips on ordering at scale.
🎯 Can I supply my own garments?
In some cases, yes — we can accept customer-supplied stock for orders of 50 pieces or more. However, please note that any misprints will be at your own risk. We always recommend choosing from our print-tested blanks to ensure best results and full coverage in case of errors.
📍Where do you ship from?
All orders are printed and shipped from our UK facility near Warrington. We ship across the UK and internationally using both standard and tracked services.
🚚 Do you offer tracked delivery?
Yes — we offer tracked services via DPD, Amazon Shipping, and Royal Mail Tracked. We highly recommend selecting a tracked option for customer-facing orders, as untracked deliveries are not eligible for free replacements in the event of a loss.
❗Can I request faster turnaround for urgent orders?
If your order is time-sensitive, let us know right away and we’ll try our best to prioritise it. While we can’t guarantee faster production during busy times, we’ll do everything we can. We recommend selecting from brands we hold in stock.
✏️ Can I make changes to my order after placing it?
Yes — if your order hasn’t entered production yet. We process orders every weekday at 9am, and more frequently during busy periods (Nov–Dec). Once it’s in production, edits are not possible. Be sure to review everything carefully and consult the artwork setup guide before placing your order.
📬 My customer entered the wrong address — what should I do?
If an order is shipped to an incomplete or incorrect address, we’re unable to offer a free replacement. Please double-check all delivery details at checkout — especially when drop shipping to a customer. Any address errors will be the responsibility of the sender.
🖨️ DTG Printing
🖨️ What is DTG printing?
DTG printing, or Direct to Garment printing, is a modern digital printing method where full-colour designs are printed directly onto fabric using specialist inkjet technology. Unlike screen printing, DTG allows for detailed prints with no setup costs — making it ideal for short runs, one-off designs, and artwork with lots of colours or gradients. At The T-Shirt Bakery, we use Kornit DTG printers to deliver sharp, eco-friendly prints on premium garments.
⚡ Which DTG machines do you use?
We use Kornit Avalanche HD6 and the latest Kornit Atlas printers — widely considered the best in the industry for Direct to Garment printing. These high-performance machines run a 7-colour CMYKRG+White setup, delivering exceptional colour accuracy, smooth gradients, and lasting print quality.
🧼 Do your prints last a long time?
Yes, they do! Our DTG prints offer excellent wash durability and long-lasting colour. As long as garments are washed at 30°C and not ironed directly on the print, you can expect vibrant, crack-free results for a long time. Unlike screen printing, our eco-friendly inks are more flexible and more resistant to cracking or peeling.
🎨 Can you match Pantone colours?
DTG printing uses a digital CMYK plus Red and Green colour system, which gives us a much wider colour gamut than standard CMYK — but it doesn't allow for exact Pantone matching. While our digital colour process produces strong results, slight shifts may occur depending on the fabric and file setup. For colour-critical jobs, we recommend ordering a test print first.
📁 What file type should I provide?
We recommend uploading a high-resolution PNG file with a transparent background. Your artwork should be scaled to the correct print size and be at least 150dpi. For best results, follow our artwork guidelines and avoid fuzzy edges or fine lines under 2 pixels wide — these may not print cleanly.
🌫️ Can I print artwork with transparencies?
Our DTG machines aren’t able to reliably reproduce transparency or fade effects. If your artwork includes gradients or semi-transparent areas, it may need reworking before printing. You can check our artwork setup guide or get in touch before placing your order.
👃 Why does the garment smell after printing?
DTG printing uses a fixation agent as part of the pre-treatment process, which can leave a light vinegar-like smell on the garment when it arrives. This is totally normal and will disappear after the first wash. Items printed on our Kornit Atlas printers are odourless thanks to their upgraded chemistry.
🌈 Will the print look good on bright-coloured garments?
Bright colours like yellow, gold, or orange can sometimes show through the print — especially under dark or black ink. This can reduce contrast or detail. For crisp results, we recommend checking out our custom clothing range in mid or darker tones.
🧵 Other Decoration Services
💥 What is DTF printing and when should I use it?
DTF (Direct to Film) transfers are great for bold colours and fine details, especially on synthetic or stretchy fabrics like sportswear. Unlike DTG, DTF prints are applied via heat press and can stick to a wide range of materials. We offer fast turnaround on DTF transfer sheets that you can apply at home or in your studio. It’s perfect for logos, small runs, and fabrics that don’t work well with DTG.
🧶 Do you offer embroidery services?
Yes! Our embroidery service is ideal for teamwear, uniforms, and branded workwear. We can digitise your logo and embroider it onto polos, beanies, hoodies and more. Embroidery offers a premium, durable finish and is available on both small and bulk runs. Learn more about the benefits in our uniform printing article.
📬 The address was wrong or incomplete — can I get a replacement?
We can’t resend items free of charge if the delivery address was incorrect or incomplete. A new order must be placed. Please ensure your customer provides the full, accurate address during checkout. This applies to all orders, whether shipped directly or fulfilled from our Warrington location.
🧾 Can I print on polyester or sportswear fabrics?
Yes — we recommend DTF transfers or vinyl for synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, or elastane. DTG is best suited for cotton-blend garments. If you’re not sure which to use, our team is happy to help match the right method to your garment.
🖼️ Can I print complex, full-colour artwork?
Absolutely. DTG is perfect for full-colour designs with gradients and high detail, and DTF handles complex prints with crisp edges and rich vibrancy. To get the best results, make sure you follow our artwork guidelines and use print-ready files. If your artwork has transparency or fine lines, let us know before ordering.
🎯 What is the best method for logos or fine detail?
For stitched logos and a premium feel, embroidery is the top choice. If you want colourful logos with gradients or small text, DTG or DTF may suit you better. Our team can recommend the best option based on your artwork and garment choice.
🏷️🌱 Sustainable Printing & Ethical Brands
🌱 What makes your printing eco-friendly?
We use water-based inks and efficient Direct to Garment (DTG) printing methods to reduce waste by only printing what’s needed. Our facility operates lean with minimal environmental impact, using recycled packaging and working with eco-conscious delivery partners like DPD and Royal Mail’s green services. Learn more about our eco-friendly t-shirt printing.
👕 Which brands are best for sustainable clothing?
We recommend Stanley/Stella, Anthem, and AWDis — all GOTS certified and ideal for sustainable printing. They offer organic cotton, ethical manufacturing, and responsibly sourced materials.
♻️ What certifications do your garments have?
Our most sustainable garments meet leading industry standards, including GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Fair Wear Foundation, and PETA-Approved Vegan. Brands that carry OEKO-TEX® certification include Stanley/Stella, AWDis and Anthem.
🧵 Is embroidery sustainable too?
Yes — embroidery is long-lasting and doesn’t crack or fade like some other methods. It uses strong, colourfast threads and is often chosen for premium organic garments like organic hoodies and sweatshirts.
🛍️ Do you offer organic or recycled clothing?
Yes — our eco-friendly custom clothing collection includes organic T-shirts, hoodies, vests and more. Stanley/Stella also uses recycled polyester in all of their hoodies and sweatshirts for added sustainability.
Still Need Help?
If your question wasn’t answered above, just drop us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.