The ability to print on towels can be a creative and lucrative business endeavor, whether to personalize gifts, promote a brand or to start your own textile company.
To help you get started, this guide will provide everything you need to know about how to print on towels from the materials used, methods and equipment needed, tips for getting long-lasting prints, and much more whether you’re an individual who wants to print custom towels at home or a small business owner who wants to offer printed towels as a service.
Why Print on Towels?
Considered everyday staples but also practical canvases for design, towels typically serve a dual purpose. There are several uses for printing on towels:
- Branding — Custom-printed towels with a hotel, gym, or salon logo are often used for branding purposes.
- Gift Items – Personalized towels are great gift items for weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and corporate events.
- Commercial Uses: Printed towels are sold as they are Fashion or Lifestyle product with an original art piece or decoration or slogan.If you’re interested in learning how fashion choices reflect personal style, check out our guide on how to style outfits.
- Event Merchandise: Towel printing is popular with sports teams, concerts, and charity events They make great keepsakes just like unique party outfit ideas that steal the spotlight.
Towels are multifunctional, in-demand products, and unique prints set them apart in commercial and private settings.
What Materials Do You Need to Print on Towels?
Here are some basic materials you need to print on towels:
- Towels: The best towels are made of 100% cotton or cotton-blend. The most common type of material is terry cloth.
- Printing equipment: This will vary based on your method (screen printing, sublimation, DTG(Direct to Garment). Each technique offers a different finish, just like varying styles in personal fashion trends.
- Heat Press (if required) A heat press is things you need for sublimation or heat transfer printing.
- Printer and Ink: For screen printing, you can use pigment inks. For sublimation, you can use dye-sub inks.
- Design Software Art- Programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva can help you design your artwork.
- Protective Paper or Sheets (to absorb ink bleed and prevent mess when printing, sublimation printing need this in particular.)
Best Printing Methods for Towels
Different printing techniques provide several benefits depending on your budget, towel fabric and usage. The top five methods on printing on towels are as follows:
1.Screen Printing
Ideal For: Thick towels, statement designs, large loads
How It Works: In screen printing a stencil(screen) is created and then layers of ink are applied onto the towel.
Pros:
- Durable and Long Lasting Prints
- Ideal for bulk production
- Bold, vibrant colors
Cons:
- Time-consuming setup
- Not great for intricate or colorful designs
Tips:
- For eco-friendly and soft feel, use water-based inks.
- Prewash towels to remove any sizing or fabric coatings.
2. Heat Transfer Printing
Ideal For: Unique, low quantity designs, logo
How It Works: A design is first printed onto transfer paper, which is then transferred onto the towel using a heat press.
Pros:
- Good for small batches or one-offs
- Suitable for designs that are intricate or involve several colors
- Easy to do at home
Cons:
- May crack or peel over time
- Not as durable as screen or sublimation printing
Tips:
- Use a great quality transfer paper.
- For optimal results, apply consistent pressure and temperature.
3. Sublimation Printing
Ideal for: Microfiber or poly-blend towels
How It Works: Sublimation uses moist heat to basically sublimate (or transfer) dye directly onto fabric, resulting in bright, permanent prints.
Pros:
- No fading or cracking
- Ideal for photo-quality printing
- Gentle, ink-feel on the textile
Cons:
- Works only for polyester fabrics
- Need for special printing instruments and sublimation ink
Tips:
- For the best color payoff, use white or light-colored towels.
- Steer clear of 100% cotton; at least 65% polyester is necessary for good results.”
4. Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing
Ideal For: Art detailed cotton towels
How It Works: A direct-to-garment (DTG) printer sprays ink directly on to the towel, and cures it with heat.
Pros:
- High-quality, detailed prints
- No color limitations
- Best for custom designs and low volume
Cons:
- More expensive equipment
- Not as fast as other methods for mass production
Tips:
- Make sure the towel is pre-treated for proper ink absorption.
- Shorter and with no folds The smoother surface of towels gives you better-quality images.
5. Embroidery (Bonus Technique)
Embroidery is technically not printing, but some do consider it a towel customization alternative. It wears better and gives a first-class impression, especially for logos and monograms.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Printing on Towels Using Heat Transfer
We’ll go through the steps one by one using the heat transfer method, which is ideal for home businesses or small businesses:
Step 1: Find the Right Towel
The towel should be made from cotton or a cotton-poly blend that is heat resistant. Smooth-surfaced towels give the best results.
Step 2: Pick or Create a Design
Create your graphic using whatever design software you prefer. If your design contains text, then mirror it as well, because the transfer to the wood will reverse it.
Step 3: Print the Design
Use a heat transfer paper that is compatible with your inkjet or laser printer to print the design.
Step 4: Position the Design
Lay the towel flat on your heat press or ironing surface. Place the transfer paper face-down to where you will be applying the design.
Step 5: Heat and Pressure
Use a heat press set to 350°F (or according to the transfer paper instructions). For around 30–60 seconds, press down.
Step 6: Take off the Transfer Paper
Allow the paper to cool for a moment and then carefully peel it away. At this point, the design will be printed on your towel.
How to Make Printed Towels Last a Lifetime
- Rinse Towels Before Printing: Eliminates residue that may affect ink or adhesive.
- Use Quality Materials: Use good towels, inks and gear to get a professional look.
- Test First: Always do a test run of your process on a sample towel before any bulk orders.
- Proper Curing: Ensure any inks or transfers are properly cured or pressed for longevity.
- Do not use Bleach and Strong Detergents: When washing recommend customers to use softer cycles and detergents for keeping the print quality.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the Wrong Fabric: Sublimation won’t work on cotton; embroidery isn’t a good fit for very thin towels.
- Pre-Treating Not Doing It: For DTG or screen printing, skipping pre-treat can lead to faded prints.
- Heat Settings Too High or Too Low: Too much heat will burn or discolor towels, and too little heat won’t set the design.
- Stretching the Towel: Stretching before the print forms the final image.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to print on towels can be a starting point for a wide creative world. Whether you’re customizing a gift or starting a business, the best printing method for you hinges on your intent, budget and material selection. Whether you choose screen printing, sublimation, or something else, each combination has its benefits and, with the proper tools and methods, you can create bright, high-quality printed towels that last for years. So, pack your towels, gear up and hit print with your special designs now!
