The Complete Guide to Screen Printing: Custom Apparel Made Perfect
Screen printing has been the gold standard for custom apparel decoration for decades, and for good reason. Whether you’re creating branded merchandise for your business, designing custom t-shirts for your team, or launching your own apparel line, understanding screen printing can help you make informed decisions that deliver stunning results.
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing, also known as silk screening, is a printing technique that uses a mesh screen to transfer ink onto fabric. Each color in your design requires a separate screen, and ink is pushed through the mesh onto the garment using a squeegee. This process creates vibrant, durable prints that can withstand hundreds of wash cycles without fading.
Why Choose Screen Printing for Your Custom Apparel?
Unmatched Durability
Screen printed designs are incredibly long-lasting. The ink bonds directly with the fabric fibers, creating prints that resist cracking, peeling, and fading even after repeated washing. This makes screen printing ideal for workwear, uniforms, and promotional items that need to maintain their appearance over time.
Vibrant, Bold Colors
Screen printing delivers rich, opaque colors that pop on any fabric color. Whether you’re printing on black, white, or colored garments, screen printing inks provide excellent coverage and color vibrancy that other printing methods struggle to match.
Cost-Effective for Bulk Orders
While there are setup costs involved in creating screens, screen printing becomes increasingly affordable as order quantities increase. For orders of 20 pieces or more, screen printing typically offers the best value per garment, making it perfect for teams, events, and businesses.
Versatility in Ink Options
Modern screen printing offers various ink types to achieve different effects:
· Plastisol ink: The most common option, providing bright colors and excellent durability
· Water-based ink: Eco-friendly option that creates a softer feel with no heavy ink layer
· Discharge ink: Removes the garment’s dye and replaces it with your design for an ultra-soft finish
· Specialty inks: Metallic, reflective, glow-in-the-dark, and foil options for unique effects
What Can You Print with Screen Printing?
Screen printing works beautifully on a wide range of garments and fabric types:
· T-shirts (cotton, polyester, and blends)
· Hoodies and sweatshirts
· Polo shirts
· Tank tops
· Jackets
· Tote bags
· And much more
At Fernando’s Screen Printing, we can print on nearly any area of the garment, including sleeves, and our prints can be as large as 14”x17” for standard or we can also do oversize.
The Screen Printing Process: From Concept to Creation
Step 1: Design Preparation
Your design is separated into individual colors, and each color is prepared for screen creation. Vector artwork works best for screen printing, ensuring crisp, clean lines in the final print.
Step 2: Screen Creation
A separate screen is created for each color in your design. The screen is coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, and your design is burned onto it, creating open areas where ink will pass through.
Step 3: Setup and Registration
Screens are mounted on the press and carefully aligned to ensure each color prints in exactly the right position.
Step 4: Printing
Garments are loaded onto the press, and ink is pushed through each screen in sequence. Our 18-color M&R press can handle complex, multi-color designs with precision.
Step 5: Curing
After printing, garments pass through a dryer that cures the ink, bonding it permanently to the fabric and ensuring long-lasting durability.
Step 6: Quality Control
Each piece is inspected to ensure it meets our high standards before being packaged for delivery.
How Many Colors Can You Print?
There’s virtually no limit to the number of colors we can print. Our advanced equipment can handle everything from simple one-color designs to complex 12+ color prints. However, keep in mind that each additional color increases both the setup cost and production time.
Screen Printing vs. Other Methods: When to Choose Screen Printing
Choose screen printing when:
· You need 24+ pieces (though we accept smaller orders)
· You want maximum durability and longevity
· Your design has solid colors rather than photographic images
· You’re printing on dark-colored garments
· Cost per piece is a priority for larger orders
Consider other methods when:
· You need very small quantities (1-10 pieces)
· Your design includes photographic elements or gradients
· You need full-color images without color separation
Tips for Getting the Best Screen Printing Results
Simplify Your Design
While complex designs are possible, simpler designs with fewer colors often produce the most striking results and are more cost-effective.
Choose the Right Garment
High-quality garments showcase screen printing at its best. The fabric type and weight affect how the ink sits on the material and how the final print looks and feels.
Provide Vector Artwork
Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) ensure your design prints with crisp, clean edges. If you only have a low-resolution image, our graphic design team can help recreate it.
Consider Ink Type for Your Needs
Discuss your priorities with your printer. If you want the softest feel, water-based or discharge inks are ideal. For maximum vibrancy and durability, plastisol is your best bet.
Plan Ahead for Best Pricing
Screen printing requires setup time for screen creation. Ordering with adequate lead time (typically 3-5 days) ensures you get the best quality without rush fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does screen printing last? With proper care, screen printed garments can last for years. The prints are designed to withstand hundreds of wash cycles without significant fading or cracking.
Can you match specific colors? Yes! We can match Pantone colors or work with you to achieve the exact shade you’re looking for.
What’s the minimum order quantity? While we don’t have a strict minimum, orders of 20+ pieces are most cost-effective for screen printing. We’re happy to work with smaller orders and can recommend the best printing method for your quantity.
Can you print on both sides of the garment? Absolutely! We can print on the front, back, sleeves, or any combination of locations.
How should I care for screen printed garments? Wash inside-out in cold water and tumble dry on low heat. Avoid ironing directly on the print to maximize longevity.
Why Choose Fernando’s Screen Printing?
Since 2016, Fernando’s Screen Printing has been Orange County’s trusted partner for custom apparel. As a family-owned business, we treat every order with personal attention and care. Our state-of-the-art 18-color M&R press, combined with decades of combined experience, ensures your designs come out perfect every time.
We offer:
· Fast 3-5 day turnaround (rush available)
· No minimum order requirements
· Free design consultation
· Bulk discounts automatically applied
· 10% community discount for teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and more
Ready to Bring Your Design to Life?
Screen printing transforms your vision into wearable art that lasts. Whether you’re outfitting your team, promoting your brand, or creating something special for an event, screen printing delivers professional results that make an impact.
Contact Fernando’s Screen Printing today:
Phone: (714) 723-0125
Email: Sales@fernandosprint.com
Visit us: 11331 Markon Dr. Garden Grove, CA 92840
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturdays by appointment
Let’s create something amazing together. Get your free quote today and discover why businesses, schools, and organizations throughout Orange County trust Fernando’s Screen Printing for all their custom apparel needs.
