There’s something different about a shirt you already own and love. Maybe it’s that soft tee you’ve washed a hundred times, the perfect-fit hoodie you can’t find anywhere anymore, or a high-quality blank you specifically chose for comfort and style. At DIY Printz, we get that connection, and we built a service around it.

That’s where our BYO (Bring Your Own) printing option comes in. Instead of limiting you to a specific selection of blanks, we welcome customers who want to bring in their own products to print on. Our goal is simple: give you professional-quality prints on the garments you already trust, while keeping the process clear, friendly, and flexible from start to finish.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how our BYO service works, when DTF (Direct-to-Film transfers) or DTG (Direct-to-Garment) might be the best fit, and what you can expect in terms of pricing, preparation, and results. The tone is informative and straightforward, but make no mistake our aim is to help you feel confident enough to actually use the service and bring your ideas to life.

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What Is BYO at DIY Printz?

At DIY Printz, BYO stands for “Bring Your Own”, and it really is as simple as it sounds: you supply the garment, we supply the print.

Instead of being locked into whatever shirts or garments a shop happens to stock, you’re free to choose:

• Your favorite t-shirt brand
• A specific fabric blend you like to wear
• Specialty or premium garments (oversized fits, fashion cuts, heavier weights)
• Items you already own and want to upgrade with a custom design

We work with customers who bring in everything from basic cotton tees to premium streetwear blanks. Many people prefer BYO because they already know how a garment fits, feels, and holds up in the wash. Rather than taking a guess on something new, they can build on what they already love.

For most BYO orders, our primary printing method is DTF (Direct-to-Film transfers), which is incredibly versatile and works well across a wide variety of fabrics and colors. In certain cases—especially with high-cotton content shirts—we may also print using DTG (Direct-to-Garment) to achieve a soft, detailed print that feels great to the touch.

The BYO service is built to be flexible, but it’s also structured, so you know what to expect when you walk in or place an order.

What Types of Garments Can You Bring?

The most common item customers bring for BYO is the classic t-shirt, and we always welcome it. If you have a favorite tee you want to customize, there’s a great chance we can print on it.

Here are examples of items that often work well:

• Standard short-sleeve t-shirts
• Long-sleeve t-shirts
• Hoodies and sweatshirts
• Lightweight pullovers
• Some tote bags
• Some polos and casual tops

Because you’re providing the garment, we do a quick assessment before we commit to printing. We look at:

• Fabric content (cotton, polyester, blends, etc.)
• Color and finish (very shiny or heavily treated surfaces may be tricky)
• Seams and construction (zippers, pockets, or thick seams can affect print areas)

If a garment isn’t a good fit for DTF or DTG printing, we’ll let you know upfront and discuss alternatives. Our goal is to set clear expectations and avoid surprises, especially since customer-supplied garments can’t simply be swapped out as easily as in-house blanks.

That said, we actively design the BYO service to say “yes” as often as possible, especially for t-shirts and other common apparel items.

How Our Printing Methods Work: DTF vs. DTG

To understand what makes our BYO service effective, it helps to know a bit about DTF and DTG—the two main methods we use.

DTF: Direct-to-Film Transfers

For most BYO orders, we print using DTF (Direct-to-Film transfers). In this process, your design is printed onto a special film, coated with adhesive powder, and then heat-pressed onto your garment.

Why DTF works so well for BYO:

• It’s extremely versatile and works on many fabric types, including cotton, polyester, and blends.
• It’s ideal for full-color designs, gradients, and small details.
• The prints are durable and hold up well to regular washing when cared for properly.

Because BYO garments can vary widely in fabric content and brand, DTF gives us the flexibility to handle that variety without compromising quality. It’s one of the key reasons we can confidently say “yes” to many different shirts customers bring in.

DTG: Direct-to-Garment Printing

In other cases, we’ll print using DTG (Direct-to-Garment). With DTG, we print directly onto your garment using specialized inkjet technology designed for textiles.

DTG is especially effective when:

• The garment is 100% cotton or very high in cotton content.
• You want a soft print feel that blends into the fabric.
• The design has lots of detail and you want a natural, printed-on look.

While DTF is our go-to for a wide range of BYO garments, DTG remains an excellent option for specific shirts and designs, particularly when softness and detail are top priorities.

The good news? You don’t need to decide which technology to use ahead of time. When you bring in your shirt, we look at:

• The garment’s fabric
• The color of the shirt
• The size and style of your artwork

Then we recommend the best method to give you a strong, long-lasting, and attractive print.

Pricing: Simple, Clear, and Easy to Understand

Custom printing can feel confusing when pricing is vague or full of asterisks. The BYO service at DIY Printz is priced to be straightforward and transparent.

For BYO printing, our standard pricing is:

• $25.00 for printing in one location
• $5.00 extra for a second location on the same garment

A “location” refers to one print area—commonly:

• Front center chest
• Full front
• Full back
• Upper back (like a name or small logo)

So, for example:

• If you want a design printed on the front only, the cost is $25.00.
• If you want a design on the front and back, the total is $30.00.

This structure keeps your pricing predictable. You don’t have to worry about hidden fees or complicated breakdowns. You know going in that one location is $25.00, and adding a second location is just $5.00 more.

Because you are supplying the garment, your cost is focused purely on the print work: our time, equipment, materials, and expertise. It’s an accessible way to get high-quality custom printing without having to buy new apparel.

Why Customers Love BYO Printing

The BYO program at DIY Printz is more than just another service line—it’s a response to how real people actually want to customize their clothes.

Here are some of the reasons customers keep coming back:

1. You Choose the Garment You Actually Want

Instead of being limited to one or two brands of blanks, you can:

• Use a premium or favorite brand you already know fits you well.
• Match your existing wardrobe style and fabric.
• Bring in unique pieces that you can’t simply order from a catalog.

For many people, comfort and fit are non-negotiable. BYO lets you prioritize those without sacrificing print quality.

2. Great for One-Offs and Small Quantities

If you only need one or a few shirts, traditional bulk-oriented setups can feel overkill. BYO printing is perfect for:

• A single special event shirt
• A gift for a friend or family member
• A “test run” of a design before committing to larger quantities
• Personal or hobby projects

The pricing is designed so even small orders still feel approachable and worthwhile.

3. Ideal for Special Occasions and Memories

Sometimes you want a shirt that means more than just a logo on fabric. BYO is great for:

• Birthday shirts
• Vacation or trip shirts
• Personalized “inside joke” tees
• Commemorative shirts for milestones or achievements

Because you’re starting from a garment you already like, the finished piece often feels more personal and special.

4. Flexibility for Small Brands and Creators

If you’re a small brand or a creator just getting started, BYO can be a smart way to:

• Experiment with different shirt styles and fits.
• Test how your artwork looks on real garments.
• Order small runs for photoshoots, samples, or local events.

You can source your own blanks, bring them to DIY Printz, and have them professionally printed without needing to operate your own equipment.

What to Know Before You Bring Your Own Shirts

Because BYO involves customer-supplied garments, there are a few practical things to keep in mind. This helps us protect your items and deliver the best possible results.

1. Check the Fabric Content

Look for the tag on your garment and check the fiber breakdown. While DTF is very flexible across fabrics, knowing the content helps us choose the ideal method and settings. High cotton content often works very well, as do many blends.

If you’re not sure, bring the garment in and we’ll take a look.

2. Bring Clean, Unworn (or Recently Washed) Items

For best results, garments should be:

• Clean
• Dry
• Free of heavy lint, pet hair, or strong odors

This helps ensure proper adhesion and a clean final print.

3. Understand That Customer-Supplied Garments Are Unique

Because garments come from different manufacturers and have different histories (washing, drying, storage), they each behave a bit differently under heat and pressure. We always handle your items with care, but it’s important to understand that they are unique pieces, not standardized blanks.

We’ll always be honest with you about what we recommend and any limitations we see.

The BYO Process: From Idea to Printed Shirt

If you’ve never used a BYO service before, here’s how it typically works at DIY Printz.

Step 1: Bring Your Garment

You start by bringing in your t-shirt or other garment. If you have multiple items, we can look at them together and discuss which ones are best suited to your design.

Step 2: Discuss Your Design

You can arrive with a prepared digital file, a logo, or even a concept you’d like to refine. We’ll talk about:

• Placement (front, back, or both)
• Size of the print
• Colors in your design
• Which printing method makes the most sense (DTF or DTG)

If needed, we can help you adjust your artwork to better fit the garment and print area.

Step 3: Confirm Pricing

Before any printing is done, we confirm your cost based on:

• Number of print locations (one or two)
• Any additional details relevant to the job

For BYO, the baseline is $25.00 for one location and $5.00 extra for a second location. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying before you commit.

Step 4: Print and Inspect

We print your design using the chosen method and then inspect the result to ensure it meets our quality standards. We check:

• Alignment and placement
• Color accuracy and clarity
• Adhesion of the print to the garment

We treat your garments with the same attention we give to in-house blanks, because we know they matter to you.

Step 5: Pickup and Care Instructions

When your order is ready, you pick it up and we go over basic care guidelines to help preserve the print. Standard recommendations include:

• Turn the garment inside out when washing.
• Wash in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle.
• Avoid harsh bleaching agents.
• Tumble dry low or hang dry when possible.

Following these steps helps your custom print look great for as long as possible.

BYO vs. Traditional Custom Shirt Orders

Wondering when to use BYO versus ordering shirts directly through a print shop’s catalog? Here’s a simple way to think about it.

BYO Makes Sense When:

• You already own the garment and love the way it fits.
• You prefer a specific brand or style that’s hard to find through standard catalogs.
• You only need a small number of shirts.
• You want a personal or sentimental item customized.

Traditional Orders Make Sense When:

• You need a large quantity of shirts for an event, team, or business.
• You’re flexible about the exact brand of blank as long as the quality is good.
• You don’t already have garments on hand.

What’s unique about DIY Printz is that you don’t have to choose one approach for everything. You can use BYO for personal projects or prototypes and use traditional bulk orders when you’re ready to scale up.

Tips to Get the Best Results from BYO Printing

To make the most of the BYO service at DIY Printz, a few simple choices can help.

• Choose quality garments. Higher-quality shirts often make prints look and feel better and last longer.
• Avoid extreme textures. Very fuzzy, heavily ribbed, or heavily textured surfaces can limit fine detail.
• Think about contrast. Light designs on dark shirts or bold designs on lighter shirts usually stand out well.
• Size your artwork appropriately. A design that is too small on a large shirt can feel lost; too large, and it can feel overwhelming.

If you’re unsure about any of this, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. When you bring in your garment, we can offer suggestions on scaling, placement, and color.

Who Is BYO Perfect For?

You might be surprised at how many different types of people benefit from a BYO printing option.

• Everyday individuals who want one special shirt done right.
• Small business owners who want a few branded shirts for themselves or a small team.
• Content creators and influencers who want test pieces for photoshoots or personal branding.
• Gift-givers who want something thoughtful and custom, built on a garment they know the recipient will like.
• Hobbyists and collectors who want to add personal touches to favorite items.

Because there’s no minimum quantity requirement in the same way as large bulk orders, BYO leaves plenty of room for creativity and experimentation.

Bringing It All Together

The BYO service at DIY Printz is built around a simple idea: you should be able to print on the shirts and garments you actually want to wear. By combining flexible printing methods like DTF and DTG with clear, straightforward pricing—$25.00 for one print location and $5.00 for a second—we make it easy to turn your favorite pieces into something uniquely yours.

When you’re ready to customize that favorite t-shirt or try a new design on a garment you already love, DIY Printz is ready to help you make it happen.