The Best Custom Screen Printing Shop Near You!

The process starts with an idea that turns into a design, logo, or text. For the best results, submit designs in a vector file, scaled to the print size. Recommended formats include PSD, EPS, PNG, and JPG.

Printing Transparent Films

We separate your design by colors, and each color is printed onto a transparent film. These films are essential for creating the screens used in the printing process.

Screen Exposing

The transparent film is taped onto a coated screen to prevent movement. The screen is then placed in the exposure unit for 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the unit.

Washing Out the Screen

After exposure, the screen is washed indoors with a power washer, away from UV light, to remove the soft emulsion. This leaves the design area open for ink. The screen is then dried in a darkroom drying rack.

Screen Registration

Registration ensures that the screen image aligns with the original artwork, making sure each color in the separation lines up correctly relative to the others.

Ink Preparation

Proper ink preparation is crucial for achieving high-quality results. We recommend using plastisol ink due to its ease of use and superior print quality compared to water-based inks.

Drying

Once the shirts are printed, they are placed on the belt of a conveyor dryer to cure the ink, ensuring the durability and longevity of the print.

Packaging and Distribution

After drying, the t-shirts are ready for packaging. They are carefully placed in boxes and prepared for shipping to customers or local pickup.

Custom screen printing is one of the most popular methods for printing designs on fabric, particularly for apparel such as t-shirts, hoodies, and promotional merchandise. It involves pressing ink through a mesh screen onto fabric using a stencil, ensuring high-quality and long-lasting prints. The process is ideal for bulk production and is widely used in branding, team apparel, and event merchandising.

Custom Screen Printing vs. DTG: Which One is the Right Choice for You?

When choosing between custom screen printing and DTG printing, it’s important to understand how each method performs in real-world applications. While both have their place, screen printing remains the industry standard for businesses and brands that need reliable, high-quality prints at scale. DTG is useful in certain situations, but when long-term quality and efficiency matter, screen printing offers clear advantages.

Print Quality: How Do the Finished Products Compare?

Custom Screen Printing: Consistent, Crisp, and Durable

Custom screen printing applies ink in layers, creating a print that holds its color and shape over time. The process allows for precise color matching, which is especially important for branding. The ink sits on the fabric, making colors more defined and resistant to fading. This method is widely used for retail clothing, corporate branding, and promotional products because it provides consistent results across large production runs.

DTG: High Detail, But Limited on Fabric Types

DTG prints directly onto the fabric using water-based inks, which makes it capable of producing complex, multi-color designs with fine details. However, because the ink soaks into the fibers rather than sitting on the surface, colors can appear slightly muted, especially on dark fabrics. DTG prints tend to have a softer feel, but the colors may lose intensity after repeated washing.

Which One is Better?

• - Custom screen printing is better for logos, branding, and designs that need to look sharp and last a long time.
• - DTG is effective for intricate designs, but results vary depending on the fabric and wash care.

Durability: How Long Does the Print Last?

Custom Screen Printing: Designed for Long-Term Wear

One of the biggest advantages of custom screen printing is durability. The inks used in screen printing are thicker and bonded to the fabric through heat curing, allowing them to withstand repeated washing without significant fading or cracking. This makes screen printing a great choice for work uniforms, sports apparel, and branded merchandise that needs to maintain its quality over time.

DTG: Fades More Quickly Over Time

DTG uses water-based ink, which absorbs into the fabric rather than sitting on top. While this creates a softer print, it also means that after 30-50 washes, the design may start to fade-especially on darker fabrics. The lifespan of a DTG print depends on washing and drying methods, but generally, it is not as long-lasting as screen printing.

Which One is Better?

• - Screen printing is ideal for prints that need to last for years.
• - DTG works for shorter-term or fashion-based designs where a softer look is preferred.

Fabric Options: Which Method is More Versatile?

Custom Screen Printing: Works on Various Materials

Screen printing is not limited to just cotton-it works on polyester, blends, moisture-wicking fabrics, nylon, and even specialty materials like canvas and leather. This makes it the preferred method for companies producing a variety of branded products, sportswear, or promotional items.

DTG: Best for 100% Cotton

DTG requires a high cotton content to absorb the ink properly. 100% cotton shirts work best, while polyester and blended fabrics may cause the design to appear faded or less vibrant. This limitation makes DTG less practical for printing on athletic apparel, corporate uniforms, or specialty items.

Which One is Better?

• - Screen printing is the more flexible option, suitable for a variety of clothing and promotional products.
• - DTG is only recommended for high-cotton garments.

Efficiency & Production Speed: Which One is Faster?

Screen Printing: Ideal for Large Orders

Once the screens are prepared, the printing process itself is extremely fast and efficient. Hundreds of shirts can be printed per hour, making it the preferred method for large orders. The consistency across all prints ensures uniform branding and a professional finish.

DTG: Slower, More Suitable for Small Runs

DTG prints one item at a time, and each print can take several minutes. This makes DTG ideal for one-off custom shirts but impractical for large orders where speed and efficiency are necessary.

Which One is Better?

• - Screen printing is the better option for bulk production.
• - DTG works for on-demand, one-at-a-time prints but does not scale well.

Why Screen Printing is the Better Choice

Custom screen printing is the best option for businesses and brands that need high-quality prints that last. It works on a wide range of fabrics, handles large orders efficiently, and ensures the design stays vibrant over time. That’s why it’s commonly used for retail clothing, uniforms, event merchandise, and promotional products.

DTG is useful for small custom orders and highly detailed designs, but when you need prints that hold up over time, work on different materials, and can be produced quickly in bulk, custom screen printing is the smarter choice.

Why Bulk Screen Printing Works Best for Large Orders

Custom screen printing is built for efficiency. Once the screens are prepared, prints can be produced rapidly, maintaining sharp details and vibrant colors on every garment. This makes it the preferred method for businesses that need hundreds or thousands of items printed with the same design. Unlike smaller production methods, bulk screen printing ensures:

• - Uniform quality across all pieces, eliminating inconsistencies.
• - Stronger, more durable prints that hold up over time.
• - Efficient turnaround times, even for high-volume orders.

Wholesale Pricing & Cost Advantages

Larger orders qualify for wholesale pricing, where the cost per item decreases as the order size increases. Pricing is influenced by:

• - Order volume - Higher quantities reduce the per-unit price.
• - Design complexity - More colors require additional screens and setup.
• - Garment selection - Basic t-shirts cost less than hoodies or specialty fabrics.

Businesses with recurring needs often benefit from contract screen printing, which ensures consistent pricing and scheduled production for ongoing orders.

Industries That Benefit from Bulk and Wholesale Screen Printing

• - Retail brands that need mass production for seasonal collections.
• - Corporate businesses supplying branded apparel for employees and promotions.
• - Event organizers printing shirts for large-scale events like concerts, races, or fundraisers.
• - Schools and sports teams ordering custom uniforms and spirit wear.

Reliable Production for Large Orders

Managing a bulk order requires precision, and quality control at every stage ensures a consistent final product. From ink mixing to curing, each step is optimized for durability, color accuracy, and a clean finish on every garment.

Get a Quote for Bulk Custom Screen Printing Now!

If you’re looking for a trusted screen printing partner for large orders, we offer competitive pricing, reliable turnaround times, and guaranteed quality. Contact us today to discuss your printing needs.

Plastisol Screen Printing Ink – The Industry Standard

Plastisol is the most widely used ink in custom screen printing because it works on almost any fabric and produces sharp, durable prints. It sits on top of the material rather than soaking in, which makes the colors stay bright and crisp even after many washes.

• - Best for bulk orders, company branding, promotional t-shirts, and uniforms
• - Works well on cotton, polyester, and blends
• - Holds up well over time and does not fade or crack easily

This is the go-to ink for most custom screen printing jobs because it delivers reliable, long-lasting results across different fabrics and designs.

Water-Based Screen Printing Ink – A Softer, More Natural Feel

Water-based ink works differently from plastisol because it soaks into the fabric rather than sitting on top. This creates a lighter, softer print that feels like part of the material instead of an added layer.

• - Ideal for fashion brands, retail clothing, and eco-friendly apparel
• - Works best on light-colored, 100% cotton fabrics
• - Produces a print that is breathable and smooth to the touch

Water-based ink is a great choice for brands that want a more natural look and feel or for customers who prefer an eco-friendly printing option.

Discharge Screen Printing Ink – Soft Prints on Dark Fabrics

Discharge ink is a special type of water-based ink that removes the dye from the fabric, replacing it with a new color. Instead of adding a thick layer of ink, it creates a print that blends into the fabric.

• - Perfect for dark-colored t-shirts, vintage designs, and streetwear brands
• - Works best on 100% cotton garments
• - Leaves no noticeable texture, making it feel like a part of the fabric

If you’re looking for a print that is completely soft to the touch, discharge ink is one of the best options, but it works only on certain types of cotton fabric.

Specialty Screen Printing Inks – Unique Effects for Custom Screen Prints

For prints that need something extra, we offer specialty inks that create different effects.

• - Metallic and Foil Inks for a reflective, high-shine finish
• - Puff Ink for a raised, textured design
• - Glow-in-the-Dark Ink for novelty and event shirts

These inks are used for custom branding, special promotions, and unique merchandise where a standard print isn’t enough.

Choosing the Right Custom Screen Printing Ink for Your Order

The best ink depends on how you want the print to look and feel, how long it needs to last, and what fabric it’s being printed on.

• - Plastisol is the best all-purpose ink-it’s reliable, long-lasting, and works on most fabrics.
• - Water-based and discharge inks are better for soft, premium-feel prints on cotton.
• - Specialty inks are for adding extra texture, shine, or custom effects.

If you’re not sure which ink is right for your project, we can help. Get in touch, and we’ll recommend the best option based on your design and fabric choice.

Why Fabric Color Matters

The same ink color can look different depending on the fabric it’s printed on. Light-colored fabrics allow most ink shades to appear as expected, but dark fabrics absorb more light, which can make colors look less vibrant.

For example, printing yellow ink on a black shirt without an underbase will result in a muddy, dull appearance because the fabric color overpowers the ink. In contrast, the same yellow on a white shirt will be bright and clear.

How Underbase Printing Helps

When printing on dark fabrics, a layer of white ink-called an underbase-is often used before applying the final colors. This prevents the fabric color from affecting the ink and helps maintain vibrancy. Without it, light-colored inks can appear faded, and even bold colors may not look as expected.

While an underbase helps with vibrancy, it also adds an extra layer of ink, which can slightly change the texture of the print. This is why some designs on dark shirts feel thicker than those on light fabrics.

Opacity vs. Transparency in Custom Screen Printing Ink

Not all inks provide full coverage on every fabric. Some ink colors are naturally more opaque, meaning they sit on top of the fabric and block out the background color. Others are more transparent and allow some of the fabric’s color to show through.

For example:

• - White and yellow inks tend to be less opaque and often require an underbase for full brightness.
• - Darker colors like navy or black have higher opacity and usually print well without an underbase.

Using the right ink type for the chosen fabric ensures the design appears exactly as intended.

Avoiding Poor Color Contrast

Some color combinations may look good in a design file but don’t translate well to print. Low-contrast color choices-such as dark red ink on a black shirt-can make the design difficult to see, especially in certain lighting conditions.

When choosing colors:

• - High-contrast combinations (like black ink on a white shirt) are always safe.
• - Mid-contrast designs (like red ink on a gray shirt) can work but may not pop as much.
• - Low-contrast prints (like dark blue on black) often result in a design that is hard to notice.

Matching Digital Colors to Print Colors

Many people design their prints using RGB or CMYK color modes, but custom screen printing uses Pantone color matching for accuracy. A shade that looks one way on a digital screen may appear different when mixed with ink.

To get consistent results:

• - Always use Pantone colors instead of relying on screen previews.
• - If possible, request a test print before committing to a large order.
• - Keep in mind that fabric texture can slightly affect the way colors appear.

A well-thought-out color strategy can make the difference between an eye-catching, professional print and a design that looks washed out or dull. Taking fabric color, ink opacity, contrast, and underbase printing into account ensures that prints come out looking exactly as intended. If you're unsure about the best color choices for your order, reach out to us-we'll guide you to the best solution for the highest quality results.

The Problem: Festival Merch That Failed to Sell

A well-known summer music festival, attracting over 50,000 attendees annually, had a recurring issue-event merchandise that didn’t generate excitement or sell out.

Despite offering t-shirts and hoodies every year, sales were sluggish. Leftover stock had to be heavily discounted on the last day, cutting into profits. Attendees didn’t see the merch as anything special-just another event souvenir rather than a must-have item.

On top of that, festival-goers had complaints about quality. Many reported that previous shirts shrank after the first wash or that prints cracked and faded quickly. The festival team realized that without a better approach, they were missing a major opportunity to turn merchandise into both a revenue stream and a branding tool.

The Challenge: Making Festival Merchandise More Desirable

The organizers knew that just offering shirts wasn’t enough-they needed to make them something people actually wanted. The goal was to:

• - Upgrade fabric quality so shirts feel like retail-grade apparel, not cheap giveaways.
• - Improve print durability to prevent fading or cracking.
• - Create limited-edition designs that would drive urgency and demand.
• - Generate pre-event buzz so attendees planned to buy merch before arriving.

The Solution: Custom Screen Printing on Premium Apparel

To transform their festival merch, we recommended premium screen printing on high-quality apparel from Comfort Colors and AS Colour, ensuring the products were built to last.

1. Fabric Upgrade: Retail-Quality T-Shirts & Hoodies

Instead of standard cotton t-shirts, we used:

• - Gildan Heavy-Cotton T-shirt - Soft, vintage-washed cotton for a premium, worn-in feel that attendees would want to wear beyond the festival.
• - Bella + Canvas Jersey Tee - High-quality, modern-fit tees with a tighter knit that holds prints better and lasts longer.

For hoodies, we used:

• - Gildan Heavy Blend Hooded Sweatshirt - A festival-favorite, heavyweight hoodie that’s durable, comfortable, and works well for screen printing.

This shift from basic promo apparel to high-quality, retail-standard products helped justify higher pricing and positioned the merch as a fashion item, not just a souvenir.

2. Premium Custom Screen Print Quality: No More Fading or Cracking

In previous years, festival shirts suffered from fading and cracking, leading to negative feedback. We resolved this by using:

• - Water-Based Ink for a Soft-Touch Print – Unlike traditional plastisol, water-based ink soaks into the fabric, eliminating the thick, plastic-like texture and providing a premium feel.
• - Discharge Printing for Dark Garments – This process removes the shirt’s dye before applying ink, creating a vibrant, soft-feel design that won’t peel or fade over time.
• - Underbase Printing for Maximum Color Vibrancy – Ensuring that colors stayed bright and clear on darker fabrics.

This guaranteed that festival-goers wouldn’t deal with cracked prints after a few washes, making the merch feel like a true retail product.

The Results: Festival Merch Became a Must-Have

• 100% Sell-Through Rate – Every t-shirt and hoodie sold out before the final day.
• Higher Profit Margins – With premium products and exclusive designs, pricing increased by 35%, and sales still surged.
• Social Media Buzz – Attendees shared their purchases online, creating free advertising for future festival merch.
• No Leftover Stock – Unlike previous years, the festival team didn’t need to discount excess inventory.

By upgrading the quality, introducing exclusive designs, and creating urgency, the festival turned its merchandise from an afterthought into a core part of the attendee experience. Now, their annual merch drops are just as anticipated as the festival lineup itself.

What an Influencer Learned After a Failed Custom Screen Printing Order-And How They Fixed It

The Problem: A Merch Drop Gone Wrong

An online influencer with over 500,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok decided to launch their first-ever merchandise line-something their audience had been requesting for months. The goal was simple: create high-quality, streetwear-inspired t-shirts and hoodies with a minimalist logo and a custom phrase that resonated with their brand.

Excited to get things moving, they partnered with a low-cost online screen printing service that promised fast turnaround and bulk pricing. The influencer placed a 1,000-piece order, expecting premium-quality shirts that their audience would love.

But when the shipment arrived, things went wrong fast.

• - The print cracked after one wash, leading to a flood of complaints from buyers.
• - The design placement was inconsistent, with some logos printed too high, too low, or even crooked.
• - The fabric quality was thin and uncomfortable, completely different from what was advertised.
• - Customer support from the printing company was unresponsive, leaving them stuck with an order they couldn’t sell.

With hundreds of unsatisfied buyers and a potential hit to their brand reputation, the influencer had to act fast to fix the situation.

This wasn’t just a failed merch drop-it was a direct hit to their personal brand. Fans had trusted them to deliver a quality product, and now many were asking for refunds or voicing their disappointment in the comments.

The influencer had to decide:

• - Issue refunds and take the financial loss, or
• - Find a better solution and turn this around fast

If they didn’t get it right this time, they risked losing credibility and damaging their brand permanently.

The Solution: Partnering with a Professional Custom Screen Printing Shop

After researching custom printing companies, the influencer reached out to us to completely revamp their merch line with high-quality screen printing and premium apparel. Here’s how we helped them fix their merch drop and restore their reputation:

1. Upgrading to High-Quality Fabric

Instead of using cheap, mass-produced blanks, we recommended:

• - AS Colour Staple Tees - A mid-weight, structured t-shirt with a premium feel and a retail-quality fit.
• - Hanes Ecosmart Hooded Sweatshirt - Known for their softness and durability, ensuring a high-end feel that fans would love.

This alone made a huge difference-fans would immediately feel the quality as soon as they put the shirts on.

2. Using Premium Custom Screen Printing for Long-Lasting Prints

To avoid cracking and fading, we switched to:

• - Plastisol Ink for Vibrant Colors – Ensuring the design stayed bright and crisp, even after multiple washes.
• - Proper Curing Process – Many print failures happen when ink isn’t cured correctly. We used the right temperature and drying time to make sure the prints were durable.
• - Precision Print Placement – No more crooked logos or inconsistent sizing. Every piece was checked for accuracy before shipping.

3. Managing Production & Fulfillment for a Smooth Relaunch

We handled the entire production process, from bulk printing to quality control and shipping. Instead of rushing, we focused on getting everything right the first time, so the influencer could confidently relaunch their merch without worrying about quality issues.

The Results: A Successful Merch Relaunch

• Fast Sell-Out – The influencer’s new drop sold out in under 48 hours, as fans saw the improved quality and trusted their brand again.
• Zero Quality Complaints – Every buyer received consistent, well-printed apparel that met expectations.
• Higher Pricing & Bigger Profits – Because of the premium feel, the influencer increased pricing by 25%-and fans were happy to pay.
• Stronger Brand Trust – Turning this around not only saved their reputation but actually increased loyalty, proving they cared about their audience’s experience.

The Takeaway: Cheap Custom Screen Printing Can Cost You More in the Long Run

Cutting corners on printing might seem like a way to save money, but in reality, it costs more in refunds, lost trust, and wasted inventory. By choosing high-quality materials and professional screen printing, this influencer not only rescued their merch line but also set themselves up for long-term success.

If you’re launching custom apparel and want to get it right the first time, reach out to us. We’ll help you create high-quality merch that represents your brand the way it should.