Custom screen printing for team apparel.

How screen printing works

A screen is a fine mesh stretched on a frame, with your artwork blocked out as a stencil. A squeegee pulls ink across the mesh, and the ink lands on the fabric only where the stencil is open. Heat then cures the ink so it stays. Each color needs its own screen, and a two-color logo is two screens and two passes.

The result is a solid, opaque block of color that looks the same on every piece in the run. It's the print most people picture when they say "printed tee".

Which artwork suits screen printing

Ask about screen printing when the artwork is flat color with hard edges and no gradient, such as a wordmark in one brand color or a two-color logo. Whether it's the right method for your garments and your count is something we confirm on the quote.

A gradient, a photograph or lettering with fine detail goes to DTF print, which prints in full color with no color-count limit and is rated for 50-plus washes. The piqué polo takes print as well as thread, so include it when you ask.

The steps from artwork to delivery

1. Send the artwork, or start in the Design Studio. Vector (SVG, AI, EPS) gives the cleanest stencil. A 300 dpi PNG works too, and our designers redraw it as part of the included design.
2. We say which garments suit it. That depends on the fabric and the artwork together, and we confirm it on each order. If the artwork wants thread or DTF instead, we'll say so.
3. Order a paid sample set if you want one. It takes about two weeks, and you hold the real print on the real garment before the bulk run.
4. Approve the design and production starts. We check every piece by hand before it's sleeved with the wearer's name.

Because design and approval move at your pace before production starts, we suggest beginning 8 to 10 weeks ahead of the date you need the pieces. The lead-time guide works the calendar backwards from that date.

What we'll confirm per order.

We publish stitch counts and DTF print widths because they hold on every order. For screen printing, the answers below depend on your artwork and garments, and we give them on your quote.

If you need fewer than 15 pieces, tell us what you have in mind. Every product price is on the pricing page, and a quote request with the artwork attached gets an answer within one business day.

Screen printing questions we get.

Do you screen print team apparel?

Yes. We offer screen printing alongside embroidery and DTF print, and it's the method for flat spot colors. Send the artwork and we'll tell you which garments suit it. Orders start at 15 pieces.

Which garments can be screen printed?

Ask us, because it depends on the fabric and the artwork and we confirm it on each order. Polos take print as well as thread, so they're worth asking about. Caps take embroidery, a DTF print, vinyl or a sewn-on patch, and beanies take cuff embroidery or a patch.

Screen print or DTF print, which should I choose?

Choose screen print for flat, solid brand colors, and DTF for gradients, photographs and fine detail. Embroidery is the method for a mark on a polo or an oxford shirt. If you send the file, we'll recommend one of the three.

How long does a screen-printed order take?

Once you approve the design, the order is three weeks in production and then two weeks in shipping within the US. Design and approval come before that and move at your pace, as does a sample set if you order one.