Screen Printing FAQs
If you’re considering custom screen printing for your business, school, team, event, or organization, you probably have a few questions before placing an order. How much does screen printing cost? How many shirts do you need to order? How long does it take? And how does screen printing compare to other options like DTF printing?
We’ve put together answers to some of the most common screen printing questions to help you choose the right option for your project. Whether you’re ordering custom T-shirts, hoodies, uniforms, or promotional apparel, this guide covers what you need to know about the screen printing process, pricing, turnaround times, artwork, and more.
How Much Does Screen Printing Cost?
The cost of custom screen printing depends on several factors, including the number of items ordered, number of ink colors in your design, garment type, print locations, and artwork. Because screen printing requires individual screens to be created for each color, larger orders typically have a lower cost per item.
At R5 Stitch + Print, we provide custom quotes based on the specific needs of your project. Whether you need custom T-shirts for a business, school, team, event, or organization, our custom screen printing services can help you find an option that works for your project and budget.
What is the minimum order for screen printing?
Our minimum order for custom screen printing is 24 items. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you need to order 24 of the exact same garment.
When using the same design and ink colors, you may be able to mix and match garment styles within your order. For example, your order could include T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, and hoodies featuring the same screen-printed design. This gives businesses, teams, schools, and organizations more flexibility when ordering custom apparel.
How long does Screen Printing take?
Our typical screen printing turnaround time is 10–14 business days. Turnaround time can vary depending on the size and complexity of your order, garment availability, artwork, and current production schedule.
Need your custom apparel sooner? Rush screen printing may be available depending on our production schedule and is subject to a rush fee. If you're working toward a specific event or deadline, let our team know when requesting your quote so we can determine what options are available.
Is Screen Printing cheaper for larger orders?
Generally, screen printing becomes more cost-effective per item as order quantity increases. That's because the process requires upfront setup, including preparing the artwork and creating individual screens for the ink colors used in the design.
Once those screens are prepared, the same design can be printed efficiently across a larger number of garments. This makes bulk screen printing a popular choice for businesses, schools, sports teams, fundraisers, events, and organizations ordering custom apparel in larger quantities.
What is the difference between Screen Printing and DTF Printing?
Screen printing
and DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing can both produce high-quality custom apparel, but they work differently and are better suited for different types of projects.
Screen printing applies ink directly to the garment through a mesh screen. It is especially well suited for larger orders and designs with a limited number of colors.
DTF printing transfers a digitally printed design onto a garment using heat. DTF can be a great option for highly detailed, full-color artwork, gradients, and projects that may not be ideal for traditional screen printing.
Not sure which method to choose? Our team can help determine whether custom screen printing or DTF printing is the better fit based on your artwork, quantity, garments, and project needs.
How long do screen-printed shirts last?
High-quality screen-printed shirts can last for years when they are printed properly and cared for correctly. Screen printing uses ink that is cured onto the garment, creating a durable design that can withstand repeated wear and washing.
To help extend the life of screen-printed apparel, follow the garment's care instructions, wash with similar colors, and avoid excessive heat when possible.
What types of clothing can be screen printed?
Screen printing can be used on a wide variety of custom apparel, including:
T-shirts
Long-sleeve shirts
Hoodies
Sweatshirts
Tank tops
Workwear
Team apparel
Event apparel
The best printing method can depend on the garment's fabric, construction, and your design. R5 Stitch + Print can help you select apparel that works well with your custom screen-printed design.
Can you Screen Print Hoodies and Sweatshirts?
Yes. Custom screen-printed hoodies and sweatshirts are popular options for businesses, schools, teams, clubs, events, and branded merchandise.
Because sweatshirts and hoodies are typically made from heavier fabrics than T-shirts, they can provide a durable surface for bold screen-printed designs. You can also combine compatible garment styles within an order when they use the same design and ink colors.
Screen printing can produce designs using multiple ink colors. Each color in a traditional screen-printed design generally requires its own screen, which means the number of colors can affect both the production process and the price of your order.
For designs with many colors, detailed gradients, or photographic elements, DTF printing may sometimes be a better option. Our team can review your artwork and recommend a printing method based on the design, garments, quantity, and desired finished look.
What file type do I need for screen printing?
High-quality artwork helps produce the best screen printing results. Vector artwork is generally preferred because it can be resized without losing image quality.
Common vector file formats include AI, EPS, and vector PDF files. If you don't have print-ready artwork, contact our team to discuss your design. We can review the file and determine what may be needed before production.
How does the screen printing process work?
The screen printing process uses mesh screens, ink, and a squeegee to transfer a design onto apparel. Each ink color is separated and typically assigned to an individual screen.
Once the artwork and screens are prepared, ink is pushed through the screen onto the garment in the areas where the design should appear. For multi-color screen printing, the colors are applied in sequence and carefully aligned. The printed garment is then cured so the ink properly sets.
This process makes screen printing an efficient and durable option for producing custom apparel in larger quantities.
Is screen printing good for small orders?
Screen printing can be used for smaller orders, but because each design requires setup before production begins, it generally becomes more cost-effective as the order quantity increases.
R5 Stitch + Print has a 24-piece minimum for screen printing. If your project requires fewer items, has highly detailed artwork, or uses many colors, another decoration method such as DTF printing may be a better fit.
What is the best shirt for screen printing?
The best shirt for screen printing depends on your budget, desired fit, fabric, intended use, and the look you want for the finished product.
Cotton and cotton-blend T-shirts are popular choices for custom screen printing because they can provide a smooth printing surface and are available in many styles, colors, and price points. However, other fabrics and garment types can also be screen printed successfully.
Our team can help you choose a garment based on whether you're creating company shirts, school apparel, team gear, event merchandise, uniforms, or promotional apparel.
Can I order different shirt sizes in one screen printing order?
Yes. Custom screen printing orders can include a range of garment sizes. This makes it easy to order custom apparel for businesses, employees, schools, teams, events, and other groups that need multiple sizes.
Depending on your project, you may also be able to combine different garment styles while keeping the same design and ink colors.
Why choose screen printing for custom apparel?
Screen printing is a popular choice for custom apparel because it provides durable prints, vibrant colors, and efficient production for larger quantities. It's particularly well suited for businesses, schools, teams, organizations, events, and brands that need the same design printed across multiple garments.
With the right combination of artwork, ink, and apparel, custom screen printing can create professional branded merchandise designed for repeated wear.