Screen Printing For T-Shirts

Screen printing works best on any product that has a flat surface, or can be made flat to allow for a reasonable print area such as bags, tote bags and T-Shirts.

Screen printing will not work on high density polyethylene (HDPE).

Life expectancy

Life expectancy of screen printing depends on the product and use, but generally a number of years (minimum) including T-Shirts and Polo Shirts when washed regularly.

Advantages to this decoration method

• Speed of delivery
• Flexibility of colours available
• Wide selection of products can be screen printed
• Disadvantages on this decoration method
• Sometimes costs can appear to be expensive, especially for small production runs.
• Print area can be limited on some products.

Average lead–times

Usually 7 to 10 working days after the approval of the artwork.

Sampling

Recommended when using a four colour process print.

Similar to a print run of 1 unit, but can be a safeguard when dealing with very specific issues or large production runs.

In order to produce samples, screens must be produced.

This involves set-up costs that vary depending on the colours of the design.

Multi colour images

Screen printing allows multi coloured images on most types of products.

Smallest possible artwork font size

We can comfortably reproduce 10 point, but can produce 6 or 8 point if required and depending on the print surface.

PMS Colour matches

Generally most inks can be matched with specific PMS colours.

PMS colour reproduction in Coated or Uncoated colours

Uncoated colours are preferred, but we can also work with coated colours.

Set-up costs

There are set-up costs involved with screen printing, including,  screens, film and artwork if the files supplied are not appropriate to use directly for printing

Every colour involves a new set-up and screen cost.

Repeat Set-up costs

Repeat set-up costs are usually 60% of the original set-up costs.

Acceptable Electronic Artwork Formats

Adobe Illustrator files (up to the latest version) EPS

Photoshop files, if the actual size is higher that 200 DPI