What Is Screen Printing? A Simple Guide from Print Stream Studio
If you’ve ever thought about custom T-shirts or custom apparel, you’ve probably heard the term screen printing. It’s one of the most popular ways to get bold, vibrant designs onto clothing. But if you’ve never done it before, the process can seem a bit mysterious. At Print Stream Studio, we’re here to explain what screen printing is, how it works, and why setup and design choices affect pricing.
So… what is screen printing?
Screen printing is a method of printing where ink is pushed through a fine mesh screen onto fabric, almost like using a stencil. Each colour in your design gets its own screen, which is why simple designs are usually cheaper and faster to print.
Screen printing works brilliantly for custom T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags and other custom apparel because it produces bright, durable prints that last through repeated washing. It’s especially cost-effective for bulk custom apparel orders.
How does the screen printing process work?
Here’s a step-by-step look at how we bring your design to life:
1. Prepare your design
We check your artwork and make sure it’s suitable for screen printing. This might mean separating colours or adjusting details so your design prints clearly on your T shirt or hoodie.
2. Make the screens
Each colour in your design gets its own mesh screen. This setup process is essential and takes time, which is why setup costs exist. Creating a screen involves coating the mesh in emulsion, drying it, exposing it to your artwork using UV light, washing out the design, and drying it again. This process produces a stencil that allows the ink to pass through in exactly the right places.
3. Mix the inks
We match your design colours as closely as possible to ensure your custom apparel looks exactly how you imagined (pantones).
4. Test print
Before printing all your garments, we do a sample to make sure the colours line up and the design looks perfect.
5. Print your garments
Once the screens and inks are ready, each T-shirt or hoodie is printed layer by layer.
6. Cure the ink
Finally, the garments go through a heat process so the ink bonds properly and your design lasts a long time.
Why does screen printing have a setup fee?
Even for a small order, the setup takes time. We need to prepare your artwork, create the screens, mix the inks, and do a test print before printing the actual shirts. Once that setup is complete, printing multiple garments is fast and cost-effective.
This is why larger orders of screen printed custom apparel offer better value than very small runs.
Why does the number of colours affect the price?
More colours mean more screens, more ink mixing, and more time. A one-colour design is quicker and cheaper to print, while a design with four or more colours takes longer and costs more. Understanding this helps you plan your custom T-shirt printing budget.
Why choose screen printing for your custom apparel?
Screen printing is one of the best options for custom apparel because it produces:
- Bright, bold colours
- Durable prints that last
- Professional-quality results
- Great value for medium and large orders
It’s perfect for business uniforms, merchandise, band T-shirts, promotional items and clothing brands.
Final thoughts
Hopefully this gives you a clear idea of what screen printing is and how the process works. At Print Stream Studio, we make it easy to create high-quality custom T shirts, hoodies, and other apparel. Knowing about the setup process and the effect of colours can help you make the best choices for your design and budget.
If you’re ready to get started on your custom apparel, we’re here to guide you through the process and bring your designs to life.
Written by Fletcher
Print Stream Studio