T-shirt with your own photo: photo printing on a T-shirt in Riga
T-shirt with your own photo from just 1 piece: DTF photo printing up to A4 from €6.00 + T-shirt from €2.22. How to prepare your photo file and how long it takes.
A T-shirt with your own photo in Riga costs from roughly €8 excl. VAT per piece: DTF photo printing up to A4 size is €6.00/pc, while the T-shirt itself starts from €2.22 (Beagle 155 g/m²). We work from 1 piece, there's no setup fee for DTF printing, and the usual turnaround at our production facility on Kandavas iela 29A is 1–3 business days. The photo file needs a raster image of at least 300 dpi at the final print size — in practice, that means an image at least 1500–2500 px wide.
Which technology suits a photograph
A photograph is a full-colour image with thousands of tonal transitions, so screen printing doesn't suit it — it works with separate colours and only pays off from 50 pieces with a uniform logo. For photo printing we use two methods:
- DTF transfer — we print the image onto a special film with a white base layer and transfer it onto the fabric with a heat press. Works on cotton, polyester and blends, and on both light and dark T-shirts. The number of colours is unlimited, which makes it the main choice for one or a few shirts with a photo.
- Sublimation — the colour penetrates the fibre, so the print isn't felt by touch, but it only works on light-coloured polyester (e.g. sports shirts). Sublimation doesn't hold on cotton.
If you need a single T-shirt with a family photo, a class picture or your dog's portrait — that's DTF. If you need a sports shirt with a full-colour all-over print — that's sublimation.
Prices: T-shirt + photo printing
Prices are excl. VAT and indicative; the exact amount depends on quantity, print size and the garment chosen.
| Quantity | DTF print up to A4 (EUR/pc) | T-shirt from (EUR/pc) | Total approx. (EUR/pc) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–19 pcs | 6.00 | 2.22 | from 8.22 |
| 20–49 pcs | 5.00 | 2.21 | from 7.21 |
| 50+ pcs | 4.20 | 2.21 | from 6.41 |
For comparison: screen printing in 1 colour costs €3.50/pc plus a €35.00 setup fee, but from 100 pcs it drops to €1.90/pc. It doesn't suit a photograph, though if the image is redrawn as single-colour artwork, it works out cheaper for large runs. Embroidery (from €5.50/pc + €25.00 setup) doesn't suit photography at all — thread can't reproduce tonal gradients.
A second side, an extra position on the sleeve, or a format larger than A4 is calculated separately. Delivery via our partner courier in Riga costs €16.00 per trip, or you can simply collect your order at Kandavas iela 29A.
How to prepare your photo file
Unlike a logo, which we ask for in vector format (.ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg), a photograph is always raster. The key thing is resolution at the final print size:
- Left chest, 110×90 mm — around 1300×1060 px is enough.
- Front or back, up to 280×210 mm — 3300×2480 px recommended (A4 at 300 dpi).
- Sleeve, 80×60 mm — around 950×700 px.
A photo taken on a phone is usually good enough. Problems arise with images saved from social media or WhatsApp, which are often compressed down to 600–800 px, leaving visible pixelation on the shirt. Send the original file, not a screenshot.
Practical tips
- CMYK colour space gives a more accurate result, but we also accept sRGB — we'll convert it ourselves. Keep in mind that bright neon shades look slightly muted on fabric.
- If you want an image without a background (e.g. just a person's silhouette), send a PNG with a transparent background. Otherwise, a rectangular light film will remain visible on the shirt.
- Black-and-white and high-contrast photos look better on dark T-shirts than light, low-contrast ones.
- We send the artwork for approval by email before printing; we only print after you say "yes".
Examples from our catalogue
A few examples from our catalogue:
- Beagle 155 g/m² men's T-shirt – 100% cotton, 36 colours, DTF full-colour photo printing, from €2.22/pc at 1 pc.
- Stafford 190 g/m² men's T-shirt – heavier cotton, 41 colours, holds a large all-over front print well, from €3.06/pc at 1 pc.
- Capri 170 g/m² women's T-shirt – fitted silhouette, cotton, 34 colours, DTF, from €2.90/pc at 1 pc.
- Dogo Premium 165 g/m² men's T-shirt – denser woven cotton, 32 colours, full-colour photo, from €2.85/pc at 1 pc.
- Beagle 155 g/m² kids' T-shirt – cotton, 30 colours, a great gift with a child's drawing or photo, from €1.94/pc at 1 pc.
- Bahrain 135 g/m² sports T-shirt – 100% polyester, 23 colours, also suitable for sublimation, from €2.00/pc at 1 pc.
- Star 200 g/m² men's polo shirt – cotton, 34 colours, photo or logo on the chest, from €5.81/pc at 1 pc.
Turnaround and care
If the T-shirt is already in stock, a single piece with DTF printing is usually ready in 1–3 business days. If the chosen colour and size need to be ordered from the catalogue, the total turnaround is 6–10 business days (production 4–7 days + delivery 2–3 days). Urgent jobs can be arranged by agreement — tell us the date, and we'll check if it's feasible.
A DTF print will withstand dozens of washes if washed inside out at up to 40°C, without bleach, and if you avoid ironing directly on the print. Heavy use of a tumble dryer shortens the print's lifespan.
FAQ
Can you print just one T-shirt with my own photo?
Yes. We work from 1 piece, and there's no setup fee for DTF printing. One T-shirt with a photo up to A4 costs from approximately €8.22 excl. VAT (printing €6.00 + T-shirt from €2.22).
How big does the photo need to be?
For A4-sized printing (280×210 mm), around 3300×2480 px, i.e. 300 dpi, is optimal. For a small chest print (110×90 mm), 1300×1060 px is enough. Send the original file, not a copy saved from social media.
Can a photo be printed on a black T-shirt?
Yes. DTF film has a white base layer, so colours stay vibrant on dark fabric. Sublimation doesn't work on dark fabric — it only suits light-coloured polyester.
What happens if the photo is too small?
We check the file before printing and tell you the maximum size it can be printed at without noticeable quality loss. Sometimes the solution is a smaller print area or cropping the image.
Can I bring my own T-shirt?
Yes, as long as the fabric is cotton, polyester or a blend that can withstand the heat press temperature. We can't take responsibility for damage to garments that aren't ours, so we recommend bringing a shirt you won't mind risking.
How long does it take?
If the T-shirt is in stock, 1–3 business days. If the size and colour need to be ordered from the catalogue — 6–10 business days (production 4–7 days + delivery 2–3 days). Urgent jobs can be arranged by agreement.
