General Info
Design Studio
Decoration
Why choose screen printing?
Screen printing is one of the most trusted and widely used techniques for custom t-shirt printing—and it’s probably what comes to mind when you think of a classic printed tee. This process involves separating each colour in your design and transferring it onto individual fine-mesh screens. Ink is then pushed through these screens onto the fabric, one colour layer at a time, creating bold, vibrant, and long-lasting prints.
It’s a top choice for bulk t-shirt printing, uniforms, events, and promotional gear because it delivers high-quality, professional results with excellent durability. Once your screens are set up, production runs quickly and efficiently—making it perfect for large apparel orders where consistency and value matter most.
Screen printing is especially ideal for bold artwork, branding, and prints that require Pantone colour matching or specialty inks—think metallics, fluorescents, puff, glitter, or even reflective finishes. We can accurately match your brand colours and elevate your design with premium effects (just note that specialty finishes may incur an extra cost).
One of the biggest benefits of screen printing is its versatility. It works on a wide variety of garments and fabrics, with fewer limitations than other print methods. However, each colour in your artwork requires its own screen, which adds to the setup time and cost. That’s why simple, low-colour designs offer the best value when screen printing.
For the most cost-effective results, we recommend screen printing for high-volume orders with 1 to 4 colours—this is where the method really shines in both quality and price.
And when it comes to longevity, screen-printed designs are tough to beat. With proper care, your print can stay sharp and vibrant for years—often outlasting the garment itself.
Screen Printing FAQs
Are there set up costs for screen printing?
Yes, there are setup costs, and they increase with each colour in your design. But the more you print, the cheaper it gets per item, since the setup fee is spread across the whole run.
What's the minimum order for screen printing?
With screen printing, the number of colours in your design determines the minimum quantity required. That’s because each colour needs its own screen, which increases setup time and cost. The more colours in your design, the higher the minimum.
Here’s a quick guide:
Here's a quick guide:
- 1 colour: 25 units minimum
- 2 colours: 30 units minimum
- 3 colours: 40 units minimum
- 4 colours: 50 units minimum
- 5 colours: 60 units minimum
- 6 colours: 70 units minimum
- 7 colours: 80 units minimum
- 8 colours: 90 units minimum
- 9–12 colours: 120+ units minimum
What's the turnaround time for screen printing?
Our typical turnaround time is 7–14 business days for production, plus shipping. This estimate starts once your order is paid for and we have all the necessary details—including artwork, garment selections, and sizes.
Need your order by a specific date? Let us know at checkout, and we’ll do our best to make it happen!
What's the maximum size for a screen print?
Our maximum screen print area is 380mm wide x 500mm high, giving you plenty of space for bold, standout designs—perfect for the front or back of most adult-sized garments.
Just a quick heads-up: your design can only be as large as the smallest garment in your order (unless you'd like to pay for an additional setup to size the artwork separately). This helps keep your print looking great across all sizes and keeps your costs down.
What if I have youth sizes and adult sizes in my order?
We can print on everything from tiny toddler tees to adult 10XL, but when it comes to screen printing, design sizing really matters.
As mentioned earlier, a single screen setup means your design can only be as large as the smallest garment in your order. If you'd like to size your design differently for toddler, youth, and adult garments, you absolutely can—but keep in mind that each size group will be treated as a separate print job. So, for example, 50 toddler tees, 50 youth tees, and 50 adult tees with unique print sizes would be priced as three 50-unit orders, not one 150-unit order.
This option does add a significant cost, as you're paying multiple setup fees and a higher unit print cost. In these cases, we may suggest going with DTG or DTF printing instead, especially for mixed-size runs with smaller quantities.
So, what's the ideal approach? If your design is small enough to work well across all garments (like a 100mm left chest print for youth and adult tees, and a center print for baby sizes), we can usually run everything as a single job—saving you on both time and costs.
Not sure what will work best? Get in touch—we’re happy to guide you!
Can you match my brand colours?
One of the perks of screen printing is its ability to match Pantone colours with incredible accuracy. This is especially handy for brands and businesses that need consistency across their apparel. Whether it’s your logo or a specific colour theme, we can mix inks to hit your exact Pantone shade—no surprises, just spot-on results every time.
How many colours can I use?
We can screen print up to 12 colours in a design, but keep in mind — the more colours you use, the higher the minimum quantity required. So, it might not always be the most cost-effective option for smaller runs.
If you've got a colourful design but only need a small quantity, no worries! We'll help you choose the best and most budget-friendly way to bring it to life — this is where DTG (Direct to Garment) and DTF (Direct to Film) really shine.
Minimum order guide by number of colours:
- 1 colour: 25 units minimum
- 2 colours: 30 units minimum
- 3 colours: 40 units minimum
- 4 colours: 50 units minimum
- 5 colours: 60 units minimum
- 6 colours: 70 units minimum
- 7 colours: 80 units minimum
- 8 colours: 90 units minimum
- 9–12 colours: 120+ units minimum
Can I provide my own shirts?
Yes, we can print on BYO, but we’ll need to review all the details first to make sure the items are suitable. We do prefer to supply the garments ourselves, as we buy blanks in high volumes and receive some of the best pricing available—so it’s often more cost-effective for you if we handle it. Let us know what you're working with, and we’ll let you know if it’s suitable.
If you do decide to BYO, we’ll provide you with a BYO info form to sign off on before we begin your order. This outlines everything you need to know, including how to provide your stock and what happens if something goes wrong—because hey, we’re only human!
What products can I screen print on?
We can screen print on a wide range of garments and materials, including cotton (always the preferred choice!), polyester, poly-cotton blends, bamboo, and even denim. From classic t-shirts and hoodies to polos, tote bags, aprons, and more. We don't screen print on silk, lace, chiffon or other similar delicate fabrics.
How long do screen printed tees last?
Screen printing is known for its exceptional durability—often outlasting the garment itself. This is due to the generous ink application and the heat-curing process, which results in a long-lasting, high-quality finish.
It’s an ideal choice for garments that undergo frequent washing, like hospitality uniforms, aprons, and medical scrubs. The key to maximising value with screen printing is simple: aim for a high-quantity order with low-colour artwork. That’s the sweet spot for both quality and cost-efficiency.
What are the artwork requirements for screen printing?
Here's some artwork tipes for for screen printing:
- Use vector files where possible — EPS, PDF, or AI files are best. These give us the cleanest lines and sharpest results.
- High-res is key — If you're using a raster file (like JPG or PNG), make sure it's at least 300dpi at 100% actual print size.
- Keep it simple — Bold, solid colours work best. Avoid gradients, fine lines, or highly detailed artwork.
- Stick to spot colours — Every colour requires it's own screen so it's best to separate colours clearly in your design and list the Pantone colour where possible.
- Convert fonts to outlines — This helps avoid any font issues when we open your file.
- Double-check sizes — Be sure to scale your artwork to the size you want it printed, or let us know your preferred dimensions.
And don’t stress if you’re not sure! We’re always happy to check your artwork and let you know if it’s good to go — or help suggest tweaks if needed.
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