One of the most commonly seen and worn decoration types today, screen printing is the process of putting ink onto a garment by pushing ink through a screen that acts as a stencil. Each ink color requires its own screen, so a five color image will require at least five screens with each color of ink placed on an individual screen. A garment is sent around the press, each screen laying down one color at a time, 'building' the design with each pass.
white ink screen |
3 colors laid down |
final 4 color design |
SOLID VS VINTAGE VS DISTRESSED
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We can achieve different effects (looks) by altering the art setup as well as our production process. The material and color of your garment will also affect the final look.
Due to nearly an infinite amount of variables, there sometimes will be limitations to what we can achieve. If we don't think what you choose will turn out the way you want, we will suggest alternative options. |
solidHigh opacity. We lay a heavy coat of ink on the garment. Even though its a heavy coat of ink, we aim to achieve a happy medium between coverage and breathability to ensure comfort while being worn.
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vintageLow opacity. We utilize a combination of our mesh density, ink coverage and no base coat to achieve this worn-in and faded look. This print will have a softer hand feel than solid.
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distressedThis look is not achieved on press. This is a design effect applied to the digital art file in the art production step of the process. In essence, part of the design is 'removed' so no ink is actually laid down in certain areas. The above sample shows a solid + distressed look.
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garment color
The color of your garment will affect the final look of your printed piece. Below shows the same design and same ink colors on a pink garment and light grey garment.
Our many years of experience allows us to foresee possible variances and outcomes which we then discuss with our customers prior to production.
Our many years of experience allows us to foresee possible variances and outcomes which we then discuss with our customers prior to production.
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SCREEN PRINT VS DIRECT TO GARMENT
Direct to garment (DTG) printing uses a specialized fabric printer — a bit like an inkjet computer printer to print an image directly onto a garment. It differs from screen printing because the DTG printer uses specialized ink that soaks into the fibers of the garment. It’s like printing on paper, but on clothing. Because there’s no screen (or stencil) for the design, multiple colors can be applied all at the same time, rather than one by one by individual screens, as required in screen printing. DTG is often used to print detailed or very colorful designs.
Due to very little setup required, DTG is a more cost-effective option for printing smaller quantities of garments. However, as the colors are printed using CMYK-style dots of color, rather than solid blocks of ink, it doesn’t provide the same intensity of color that you get with screen printing.
Due to very little setup required, DTG is a more cost-effective option for printing smaller quantities of garments. However, as the colors are printed using CMYK-style dots of color, rather than solid blocks of ink, it doesn’t provide the same intensity of color that you get with screen printing.
MINIMUMS
We are proud to own and operate state-of-the-art equipment. Our machines are engineered to maximize production, which means efficiencies and optimal pricing begins at the minimums you see below. Our production floor is not setup for smaller, low quantity orders and with these minimums we can stay competitive with our pricing.
SCREEN PRINT: 24 PIECES |
EMBROIDERY: 12 PIECES |
HEAT PRESS: 12 PIECES |
Garment Color(s) are not considered in our minimums. Minimums are set per decoration type. For example; Two differently colored T-Shirts getting the same design screen printed at a qty of 12 of each color, will hit our minimum order of 24.