Frequently Asked Questions

Before We Print...

• What is DTF and DTG Printing?

  
  DTF (Direct to Film)

  The Feel: It has a slight "texture" on top of the shirt. It’s incredibly durable and will likely outlast the t-shirt itself.

  Best For: Bold logos, high-contrast graphics, and designs with solid blocks of color. It makes colors "pop" even on the darkest hoodies.

  Why choose it? If you want your logo to look sharp, polished, and indestructible through 100 washes on tour, this is the one.

  DTG (Direct to Garment)

  The Feel:
  "Zero-feel" or very soft. Because the ink is sprayed directly into the
  cotton, it’s breathable and feels like part of the fabric.

  Best For:
  Intricate, complex artwork. Think death-metal illustrations,
  photography, or designs with thousands of colors and subtle gradients.

  Why choose it?
  If your art has "smoke" effects, fine lines, or painterly details, DTG
  captures the soul of the artwork in a way that feels like a high-end
  retail garment.

  Which one should I choose?

  Choose DTF if: You have a classic band logo, "text-heavy" designs, or want the most vibrant colors possible on dark garments.

  Choose DTG if: Your artwork is a masterpiece of detail, has "faded" edges, or if you want that "vintage/premium" soft feel for your fans.

• Can I split my bundle between two different designs?

  No. Our bundle pricing is heavily discounted because it allows us to set up and run a single design efficiently. It is strictly one design per bundle. If you have two different designs, you will need to purchase two separate bundles.

• Do you have a minimum order quantity?

  For our bulk bundle rates, the minimum order is usuall 25 units. However, we highly encourage ordering a 1-off Sample (via our Sample product page) first, so you can test the fit, feel, and print quality before committing to a full production run.

  Please note that this minimum may be higher for certain specific garments, which will be clearly stated on that individual garment's product page.

  If you're looking for something less than the minimum required amounts, please get in touch and we will see if we can help you with the specific amount you require.

• What format do you need my artwork in?

  We need high-resolution files to give you the best print. Please supply your artwork as a 300dpi PNG with a transparent background, sized exactly how you want it printed. We print in CMYK, so keep in mind that ultra-bright neon RGB screen colours may look slightly more matte on physical fabric.

  Detailed & Photorealistic Designs
  If your artwork is highly complex, extremely detailed, uses high ink consumption, or features photorealism, we highly advise supplying the design halftoned. If your file is not halftoned, we offer a professional halftoning service starting at £10 per design.

  Upscaling & Editing Services
  If your file quality is too low or needs a bit of extra help getting print-ready, we also offer artwork upscaling and editing services for an additional charge.

• I have a concept, but I don't have the artwork. Can you design it for me?

  Yes. If you have the vision but need the design built from scratch, we offer professional in-house design services for an additional fee.

  If your project requires a highly specific style or a multi-artist approach, we can also bring specialist merch designers from our wider network on board to ensure the final product perfectly matches your concept. Just reach out to us with your ideas, and we’ll bring your vision to life.

• How big can you print?

  We don't shrink your art to fit. Our maximum "Full Impact" print size for both DTG and DTF is a massive 16x18 inches (40.6 x 45.7 cm).

• How long does production take?

  Our standard turnaround time is 5 to 7 working days. This can vary slightly depending on the volume of your order and the time of year, but we always aim to get your merch produced as fast as possible. Please note this is estimated production time, not shipping time. UK shipping is roughly 2-3 days.

• We're playing a gig this weekend. Can you rush my order?

  Yes. We offer a 'Priority Print Pass' for bands, brands, and artists working to strict deadlines. This pushes your order to the front of the production queue for an additional fee. Please contact us before placing your order to confirm we have the capacity to hit your exact date.

• Where do you ship?

  Currently, we ship across the UK and Europe. International shipping beyond Europe is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Drop us an email if you are further afield.

• What if I don't like the fit or feel of the garments?

  Because custom printed merch is made specifically for you, we cannot offer refunds or returns if you simply change your mind, ordered the wrong sizes, or don't prefer the fit of the blank you chose. This is exactly why we offer a zero-risk 1-off sample. We highly recommend ordering a sample of your chosen garment first. When you proceed with your full bundle, we will credit the cost of the sample back to your invoice.

• What happens if there is a misprint or a damaged garment?

  We pride ourselves on quality control, but we are human. If a garment arrives with a genuine manufacturing defect or a clear printing error on our part, you must notify us within 7 days of delivery. We will ask you to return the affected garments to us for review. If the error is ours, we will replace the affected items immediately.

  (Note: Industry standard allows for a 1-2cm tolerance in print placement. Minor placement variations are not classed as misprints).

• Do I need to own the rights to the artwork?

  Yes. By submitting artwork to Machine 13 Print Co., you are legally confirming that you hold the rights or have the appropriate licenses to reproduce that design. We will not print stolen artwork, bootlegs, or trademarked material that you do not own. If a copyright claim is made, all legal liability falls entirely on the customer who submitted the design, not Machine 13.

• Can you colour-match my exact Pantone?

  Because DTG and DTF printing uses a CMYK process rather than mixing liquid plastisol inks, we cannot guarantee exact Pantone colour matching. We calibrate our machines to produce the most vibrant, accurate colours possible, but there may be slight shifts from what you see on a backlit RGB computer screen compared to ink on a physical garment.

• Can you print over seams, hems, or zippers?

  We advise against it. Printing directly over thick seams, pockets, or zippers creates an uneven surface that can result in ink buildup, gaps, or cracking in those specific areas. We recommend keeping your artwork within the smooth, flat areas of the garment. If your design must cross a seam, you accept that print inconsistencies in that area are not classed as a misprint.

• What happens if my chosen garment is out of stock?

  The global blank apparel supply chain can fluctuate. If your specific garment, colour, or size goes out of stock at our suppliers after you have paid, we will contact you immediately. We will either offer a direct substitution for a garment of equal or higher quality (e.g., swapping a Gildan for a similar Build Your Brand tee) or we will wait for the restock. If the restock time exceeds your deadline, we can offer you a full refund for your order.

• Can I change my sizes or cancel my order after paying?

  You can make changes to your sizes, garment colours, or cancel your order right up until you approve your final digital mockup. Once that mockup is approved, your order goes straight into production and garments are ordered. At that point, sizes cannot be changed, and the order cannot be cancelled or refunded

• Can I mix different sizes and garment colours in one bundle?

  Absolutely. You can mix and match your size breakdown and garment colours however you like to hit your bundle total, as long as your artwork file and ink colours remain exactly the same across all items.

  Please note that our standard bundle pricing is based on lighter garments by default. If you want to mix darker garments (like black or navy) into your order, how we handle it depends on the print method:

  DTG (Direct-to-Garment): Adding darker garments will incur a small service charge per dark item. This simply covers the extra production costs and materials required for dark fabrics, such as pretreating solution and the solid white underbase layer of ink needed to make your design print onto the darker garment.

  DTF (Direct-to-Film): There is no additional charge for mixing dark and light garments together with this printing method.
  
  

• Why are some garments DTF print only?

  Because this avoids the temporary pretreatment marks often associated with DTG on treated fabrics like 'stone washed' or 'Vintage washed' garments.

• Can you source other blank garments that aren't listed on your website?

  Yes. If you are looking for a specific brand, cut, or style that isn't currently featured on our site, please get in touch with your requirements. We have direct access to most commercial blank suppliers and can source, and supply nearly any garment available on the market.