Built, Not Dabbled: The Difference Between Making Shirts and Doing It Right

Posted: February 22, 2026 | By: 843 Teez Team

These days, it’s easier than ever to make a t-shirt. Templates, online tools, and quick-print options are everywhere.

And that’s not a bad thing—more creativity is always a good thing.

But there’s a difference between making something that looks good on a screen… and building something that holds up in the real world.

Design Is Just the Starting Point

A design might look perfect digitally—but printing is where the real work begins.

• Does it crack after a few washes?
• Does it feel heavy or uncomfortable?
• Is the placement actually right for the garment?
• Does it still look good after real use?

These are the things that separate a quick print from a quality product.

What Goes Into Doing It Right

At 843 Teez, every shirt goes through a process that most people never see:

• Dialing in DTF settings
• Choosing the right film and powder
• Testing press time and temperature
• Adjusting placement by size and garment
• Making sure the final feel matches the look

None of that is guesswork. It’s learned through experience.

Why Experience Matters

Anyone can make a shirt once.

But consistently producing something that looks good, feels right, and lasts—that comes from putting in the time.

Trial and error. Misprints. Adjustments. Learning what works and what doesn’t.

Not a Side Project

For us, this isn’t something we dabble in.

843 Teez was built with intention—from the ground up—to deliver quality, consistency, and designs that actually hold up.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for something quick and easy, there are plenty of options out there.

But if you want something that’s been tested, refined, and built to last—

That’s what we do.