Screen Printing
Screen printing pushes ink directly through a mesh stencil onto the garment. It's the industry standard for large orders, producing bold, vibrant colors with excellent durability. Each color requires a separate screen, making it most cost-effective for simpler designs at higher quantities.
What It Is
A traditional printing method where ink is pressed through a fine mesh screen onto the fabric. Each color in your design requires a separate screen. The ink sits on top of the fabric, creating a bold, opaque finish.
Who It's For
- Teams and organizations ordering 24+ pieces
- Event organizers needing bulk custom shirts
- Businesses wanting bold, simple logo prints
- Anyone who wants the classic screen-printed look and feel
Advantages
- Bold, vibrant colors with excellent opacity
- Most cost-effective for large orders
- Extremely durable — lasts the life of the garment
- Classic look and feel that customers love
- Wide range of specialty inks available (metallic, glow, etc.)
Considerations
- Setup costs per color (each color = separate screen)
- Not ideal for photo-realistic or gradient designs
- Higher per-unit cost for very small runs
Artwork Requirements
- Vector files strongly preferred (AI, EPS, PDF)
- Spot color designs work best (1–4 colors)
- Minimum 300 DPI for any raster elements
- Pantone color matching available
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colors can you screen print?
We can print up to 6+ colors, but 1–4 colors is the sweet spot for cost-effectiveness. Each color requires a separate screen.
Is screen printing good for dark shirts?
Yes! We use an underbase (white ink layer) for dark garments to ensure colors pop.
What's the most cost-effective quantity?
Screen printing becomes very cost-effective at 24+ pieces. The more you order, the lower the per-unit cost.
Quick Info
- Minimum
- No minimum
- Turnaround
- ~10 days
- Rush Available
- Yes (added cost)
- Shipping
- Free in Atlantic CA