The Art of Screen Printing: Transforming Ideas into Wearable Art

Step 1: Design Conceptualization

The journey begins with your vision. Whether it's a company logo, a custom artwork, or a slogan, our team collaborates with you to bring your ideas to life. We work closely to refine the design, ensuring it's perfectly tailored to your needs and optimized for the screen printing process.

Step 2: Screen Preparation

Once the design is finalized, we prepare the screens – the core tools of screen printing. Your artwork is then broken down into individual color components. Each separated color will be used to create a corresponding screen. Once colors are separated, film positives must be created for each color. A film positive is a transparent sheet with a black print of the image for each color. We coat the screens with a light-sensitive emulsion, then expose them to ultraviolet light with our LED exposure unit and the film positive for your design. This process hardens the emulsion except where the film positive is placed, creating a stencil.

Step 3: Color Selection and Mixing

Color brings your design to life. We select colors based on your artwork. We have a selection of stock colors, or we custom mix ink using the Pantone Matching System (PMS) to ensure accuracy and consistency. Each color is meticulously mixed to match your specified hues, ensuring vibrant and precise results.

Step 4: Printing Process

With screens prepared and colors mixed, the actual printing begins. We align the screens on either our 6 color / 6 station Vastex V-2000 manual printing press or our 10 color / 12 station MHM automatic screen printing press and apply ink to the surface. Using a squeegee, we evenly spread the ink across the screen, transferring your design onto the apparel. This process is repeated for each color and screen, layering the inks to create the final image.

Step 5: Drying and Curing

After printing, the apparel is moved through a high-temperature conveyor dryer. This crucial step cures the ink, ensuring it adheres firmly to the fabric and remains vibrant through countless wears and washes.

Step 6: Quality Assurance

Quality is paramount. Each printed item undergoes a rigorous inspection to ensure the highest standards. We check for clarity, color accuracy, and proper ink adhesion. Only after passing our stringent quality control, do we consider the product ready for you.

Step 7: Packaging and Delivery

Once approved, your apparel is carefully packaged and prepared for shipment. We ensure your order arrives on time and in perfect condition, ready to be worn, shared, and enjoyed.

Artwork Submission

Many of the artwork files we receive need to be adjusted before they're suitable for screen printing, and some may require complete recreation. Our guidelines are designed to help you sidestep extra art fees and potential delays in turnaround time.

Design Considerations

All artwork should be designed to scale when submitted. The following are size recommendations for standard print placements. Consult with one of our designers for non-standard size or print placements.

Full Chest

• Normal print area is 12" Wide x 14" Tall for adult men's and unisex shirts.

• Adult women's shirts or unisex shirts for mostly women, no wider than 11". 

• Youth shirt print area is 10" Wide x 12" Tall.

• Toddler shirt print area is 8" Wide x 10" Tall.

• Alignment for adult shirts is centered and 3" from neck seam to top of the design. 

• Alignment for youth shirts is centered and 2" from neck seam to top of the design. 

• Alignment for toddler shirts is centered and 1" to 2" from neck seam to top of the design. 

Left / Right Crest

• Logo print area 4" x 4"

• Alignment for adults is 3" from neck seam to top of the design and 4" right/left from center of shirt to center of design.

• Alignment for youth is 2" from neck seam to top of the design and 3" to 3.5" right/left from center of shirt to center of design.

• For toddler shirts we recommend centered on chest or scale down the graphic. 

Pocket

• Print area 3.5" x 3.5" 

• Alignment is center of pocket horizontally and centered vertically of pocket area from top of pocket lower seam to bottom of pocket.

Short Sleeve

• Print area typically 4" x 4"

• Standard alignment is centered horizontally and 1" above bottom, or 1" below top seam, or centered vertically.

• Consult with one of our designers to determine best placement.

Long Sleeve

• Print area 4" x 14"

• Standard placement is centered horizontally and vertically.

Full Back

• Print area 12" Wide x 14" Tall

• Alignment is centered horizontally and top of design 4" to 5" below the neck seam.

Nape of Neck

• Print area typically 3" x 3"

• Alignment centered horizontally and top of design 1" below neck seam.

Non-Standard Placement

• Consult with one of our designers to determine if your desired placement is achievable.

• Additional charges may apply for non-standard print placements.

Artwork Types