Silk screen printing for t-shirts is a special kind of printing. It is a printing method in which ink is printed directly onto the T-shirts. The color of the ink is always of high quality, whether it is dark, warm, or light shades. Silk screening helps add a look and feel that attracts more audiences from all over the world. The terms silkscreening and screen printing are interchangeable. Since the 1960’s modern art movement in the United States, Screen printing has become part of modern advertising and marketing. It is printing on clothing that has moved from personal expression to branding for small and large businesses around the world.
Silk screen t-shirts are used for marketing, but they communicate a relaxed and casual vibe. T-shirts come in 100% cotton, a poly-cotton blend, or 100% polyester we call performance fabric. There are other types of t-shirt and clothing materials like Hemp, but there is no comparison to the softness and comfort of 100% cotton or the performance benefits of 100% polyester.
There are different uses for each t-shirt material, and the best way to get silk screen printed t-shirts made is to walk into or call your local t-shirt printers and have a discussion about your goals and uses for the t-shirts. A good printer will know all the applications and be able to recommend the highest quality and type of shirt for the occasion and usage. You don’t have to be limited to just t-shirts. Our clothing catalog features over 3600 different styles to choose from. The major brands are Hanes, Gildan, Fruit of the loom. There are hundreds of minor brands like New Era, Flexfit, and Port Authority to choose from.
Custom printed t-shirts may not be for you and your business, but it’s hard to deny that it’s an economical way of marketing, team building, and increasing brand awareness. Repetition is needed with any form of marketing to get the message thru to the community that your business and organization even exists. Printed t-shirts with branding and custom logos make for 24/7 marketing.
With your workers moving throughout the community every day, they are seen by hundreds of people every day if they are wearing their companies logo and branding. If you are like me, as a business owner, you want to grow and build your business every day. Like me, you want to feel that positive momentum of your team working together, communicating, and cooperating with each other and with clients.
Top 6 Benefits of Custom Silk screen t-shirts Print
Quality remains even after 100 washes on the washing machine
A huge added benefit of utilizing silkscreened clothing is the long-lasting results from washing. Hundreds of washes can be endured throughout a product’s lifetime, allowing for a wide variety of apparel to last for many months and even years without fading quickly or losing color consistency. Your local printer can help you choose the color-lasting qualities of garments.
The cool graphic design on cotton, plain tees, blank frames, and even more
Silkscreen printing is a versatile tool, making it a big hit for many different businesses and individuals looking to put their creativity on display for the world to see. For example, you can use silkscreen printing to artfully decorate other materials such as cotton, t-shirts,dry-fit polyester, metal, wood, ceramic, and plastic, to name a few. It has both industrial uses for stenciling and chip manufacturing, as well as clothing promotional uses. It’s also used in non-wearable promotional marketing such as you would see at conventions, lanyards, pens, mugs, magnets, wall calendars. There are over 500,000 different non-wearable promotional items to choose from, including branded USB thumb drives.
Screen printed t-shirts with multiple colors
You can create a vibrant image for printing with the help of multiple colors! If you’d like to get a unique look, you can use puff or high-density inks that have a three-dimensional effect. Puff ink is just what they sound like – any area printed with this particular kind of material appears slightly “puffy” or swollen due to its content. Metallic and glitter inks and foils though not as durable as regular inks, add more pizzazz to your artwork and make your brands and products stand out from the crowd.
High-resolution printing photorealistic
Silkscreen printing is the most suitable printing method when producing very detailed designs. The silkscreen process can print these to an outstanding level of detail and clarity. The detailed lines and fonts are very sharp and concise, and the colors used in this process are vibrant and crisp compared to other printing methods. We call this high-resolution printing photorealistic because it includes so much detail and realistic color mixing. We usually use this for product launches. For example, a drug company is proud of its new medicine. It comes in a time-release capsule, and they want to reproduce the image of the capsule along with branding colors and slogan.
Men or unisex tshirt, sleeve, logo screen printing fit within your cost
Silk Screen Printing Process
Silkscreen printing is a way to print colors on shirts. It’s a cousin to photographic methods in that color channels are separated. The color separations are printed each color onto a film similar to a negative in photography. However, it’s bigger than a negative. We print it the size of the print on the shirt. If the design is printed 11 inches wide on the back of the shirt and 4 inches wide on the front of the shirt, the film separations will match that size. Each color is printed separately, thus the term film separations.
This is the part where the screen comes in. In the old school, the screens were made with wooden frames and silk woven mesh. With the advent of nylon, the weave of the fabric is very precise and exact. Similarly, frames are now typically made with Aluminum and are more dimensionally stable because of less flex and movement in the frame. The screens are stretched and glued with a Nylon mesh. Depending on high or low resolution uses, screens come in different fine mesh densities. For really fine detail like photorealistic print or very small lettering, a fine 300 mesh screen will be employed. Larger lettering or big images like the old Have Nice Day prints are done on a 100 mesh screen. The number refers to the number of thread fibers that crisscross each other per square inch. The mesh of the screen is coated with a photo-sensitive emulsion and left to dry in a dark room with forced air to circulate the air and dry the screen. Once the screens are dry, and the film is output, we tape the film to the screen and expose it to a predetermined amount of light from a specially designed light table that has a vacuum blanket that way.
The film lies down snugly against the screen. In the old days, 1982-1984, we would simply walk out into the sunlight and expose the screen and the film to 4 minutes of sunlight. The black ink on the film would completely block the light. Those areas of the screen exposed to the light would affix the photo-sensitive emulsion to the screen. The areas that got no light would simply wash out when water was sprayed on the screen. After the screen is sprayed with water and the emulsion is washed out of the screen, the screen is set out into the sun to dry and permanently affix dried emulsion to the screen.
Any unwanted openings called pinholes are blocked or taped off. To now print your design, the screen is clamped onto the press, ink is added to the screen, and a squeegee pushes the ink thru the opening in the screen and onto the shirt. That describes the full cycle from on-screen design on your computer to t-shirt design on the shirt. The ink is heat sensitive, and the t-shirts are run thru a conveyer oven at a temperature that will not burn the shirt but will cure the ink. If done properly, the print will outlast the shirt thru hundreds of washings and years of wear.
Is it cost-effective?
You can print different colors on the shirt if you have prepared a different screen. You can also merge colors to save on print and set up costs. The best part is, once you have a silkscreen template or films as we call them, you can do reprints of the exact same logo and pay just a fraction of the original setup fees. Hence this is the cost-effective method to print colors on t-shirts, shirts, mugs, etc., over multiple marketing campaigns over many weeks, months, and years. We have over 52,000 print and embroidery logos on file from over 30 years of working with over 12,000 happy customers.
Cotton t-shirts
There are many different types of t-shirt materials. The first is a cotton t-shirt. If you are like me, you have your favorite old cotton t-shirt that you may have worn for years.
Poly-cotton blended t-shirt
The second is a poly-cotton blended t-shirt. The most significant difference is that the addition of polyester into the t-shirt material typically makes the shirt more durable, colorfast, and wrinkle-resistant. A big bonus is that poly-cotton blends do not shrink up or fade then the way a traditional cotton version would.
100% Polyester
The third most popular material is 100% polyester. This material has been around since the 1950s, but with modern weaves, it has become a performance fabric. Mostly used for athletic events, it’s actually become a main staple for company shirts, either printed or embroidered for casual days.
What to wear on different occasions
If you are like me, I wear performance fabrics to the gym or on a hike to make the most of my efforts. Likewise, I have performance polos that are branded with my company logo and wear them every day. I want to look great and feel my best. Performance fabrics are not for everyone, by I love them. Before you choose the product, you’ll need to consider your budget, the type of print or embroidery you’re trying to put on your shirt, and the style of business you’re trying to promote.
For a rich professional look, less is better. Embroidery has a higher perceived value. To put that a different way, If I’m selling houses, I’ll wear a dress shirt with small embroidery on the left chest with my companies branding. If I’m going to join my fellow business associates on a fun run over the weekend, I’ll wear a printed 100 percent poly performance shirt with a larger logo on the front or the back. Your local print shop will know how to advise you. If they don’t know, hang up the phone and call someone with the wisdom of experience and a friendly personality.
How much does it cost to silkscreen print a shirt? Can I get it for a factory wholesale price?
An average price for a simple t-shirt with one color imprint ranges from $5.50 to $10, depending on how many shirts you order, the color of the shirts, and how many print colors and locations are needed. If you order over 48 t-shirts, the price goes down proportionally because the cost of printed materials is generally proportional to how many t-shirts are ordered at one time. Additionally, the initial setup fee is dispersed over a larger number of shirts. Reorders of the same print cost a fraction to set up when additional orders are placed in the future for the same print design.
If you want to purchase t-shirts for a special event, company shirts, either printed or embroidered, I suggest checking out the Merlin Embroidery. They have over 3600 clothing styles in their catalog that can be used for screen printing. In addition, there are thousands of non-wearable promotional items that can be custom branded like pens, mugs, and calendars, to name a few, all with a custom printed logo on them for 24/7 advertising.
Top 4 ways to get the Printed t-shirts
Find a local printing company.
Many people like to buy t-shirts online because they think that they could do it for cheaper, or they are only ordering one shirt. This is a great idea for ordering one-offs. The assumption is that when you order online, there are no overhead costs of a brick-and-mortar business. However, oftentimes it means that the producer has skipped critical steps and equipment and general experience to run a successful business. Either of these could be the case. Unfortunately, we see durability as an issue with online stores selling one-off t-shirts.
The problem we see is the ink has not been cured well and washes out of the shirt beginning with the first wash and dry cycle. When working with a local print company, you have some recourse because you have direct face-to-face communication with the store. When you buy in bulk starting with a 48 piece minimum order, typically ideal for small businesses, organizations, and teams, you save money because the cost per shirt is lower once you begin to introduce volume discounts into your order. If you want good quality and product, you need to find a printing company that is near you and usually you will find it much cheaper and easier to buy printed t-shirts online.
Ensure the printing company have options for colors and size
When you’re choosing t-shirt printing companies, make sure that you’re able to select the colors and sizes you want. If you’re looking for fun t-shirts to wear at parties or other large gatherings, you’ll want to make sure that the t-shirt printing company you choose can accommodate your needs! When you choose a company that can design and print personalized t-shirts for you, you’ll be able to get what you want!
Know the printing company print method
When you want to get stylish clothing at your local printing shop, you will need to know about the two main types of printing processes. Screen printing, also called silk screening or serigraph, is where the ink is forced through a mesh screen using pressure. The second method that has become more popular in recent years but is still not perfected is called Direct to garment printing. DTG, for short, direct to garment printing, uses an inkjet printer to print specialized inks onto the garment surface. Then the ink is curred with a heating palet and then run thru a dryer. The problem with this method is the colors are dull, and the print image is not durable.
Both of these different printing methods have their benefits and drawbacks. Direct silkscreen printing is more durable and usually has a heavier feel to it. Direct to garment printing is a quick way to get photorealistic prints without the high setup fees. For shorter runs of 1-48, it usually makes sense. However, there are still the look and durability issues that come with direct-to-garment printing. They also have their time frame for delivery. A good print shop will regularly have a 1-2 week waiting period, whereas direct to garment printing, because it has fewer steps in the setup process, is usually a faster turnaround time. You don’t want to be stuck waiting for your t-shirts if you have a deadline looming. This is why it is essential to know the difference between the two before ordering your custom t-shirts.
Check the local company portfolio.
To make sure you’ve selected the best company for the print job, make sure to check their portfolio. It’s a great way to see the different jobs they’ve done and the quality of their work. An experienced printing company will have a great portfolio to show off its best work. Make a phone call and see if your point of contact is friendly and knowledgeable. Who wants to work with a grump? If you are like me, you want to work with people who are knowledgable, friendly can do folks.
FAQs on custom t-shirts printing
Which printing method is best?
There are various printing methods are available to print on t-shirts. I can name a few best printing methods such as screen printing, DTG printing, Dye sublimation printing, discharge printing etc…
What’s the difference between screen printing and digital printing?
Water-based CMYK inks are used in digital printing when it comes to creating special designs on custom t-shirts. Screen printing is a more traditional method of t-shirt customization where each color used in a design will be separated and burned to its own fine-mesh screen. From there, an ink will be transferred to the shirt through the screen where you can choose from many different fabric types and see the result right away. Digital Printing offers faster turnaround times. Screen printing results in designs with a high level of vibrancy, and is best suited to prints on dark shirts or for specialty products.
What is better vinyl or screen printing?
While both screen printing and vinyl are effective, screen printing will last longer. Shirts which are printed using vinyl will start to fade within a year or two. On the contrary, shirts that are screen printed are likely to last the entire lifetime of the shirt.
What is heat-transfer printing?
When it comes to getting the look you want for your clothing or other personal items, one of the best ways to do it is by utilizing heat transfer stickers. The process used is referred to as thermally-applied transfer printing. This process often involves using protective laminate materials or some type of epoxy—not unlike some forms of high-end decals used on cars, trucks, boats and more. These are easier to apply because they are self-adhesive and stick more securely than traditional methods where you have to iron them on using an ironing board.
Can screen prints go on any shirt?
Screen printing works well on nearly any type of t-shirt, however, some are better for screen printing than others. For example, polyester t-shirts or polyester/cotton blend t-shirts are both ideal choices.
What is the price of T shirt printing?
T-shirt printing involves a number of dimensions such as the shirt’s price, setup fees, and the amount of colors used. When you’re buying in bulk, you can expect a quantity discount. One thing to take into consideration is that here at Merlin Embroidery we require a minimum order of 48 shirts for printed tshirts. This is considered a sweet spot for small businesses because it allows them to purchase the shirts they need without going too far over budget! The average cost per t-shirt ranges from $5 to $8 depending on how many shirts are being purchased from us.
Does Silk screen printing last?
The designs printed via screen printing are durable and long-lasting because when they’re produced properly, they can withstand hundreds of washes. That’s why people prefer to have items customized with screen printing instead of machine printed products because whatever they get will last them much longer than other similar products out there.
In conclusion
Printing your t-shirts is a great way to get a lot of use out of a design, brand your company and organization, and begin to gain affiliation and grow your community. With the insights from this article, you are well on your way to getting your own custom silkscreen printed tees.
Experience shows the best way to ensure you get high-quality t-shirts is to use a professional printer. If you need a professional printer to deliver the t-shirts you need for your business, event, school, or organization, check out Merlin Embroidery today.
With excellent customer service, competitive pricing, and the highest quality in the industry, make Merlin Embroidery is near the top of your list of phone calls. Call Kevin at 619.884.9712. We can drop ship anywhere in the United States and regularly do, though we love San Diego for work and play. When it’s got to be right, on time, the first time, it’s an easy call to make.
