Since each color to be printed has to be on a separate
screen, the artwork and setup for requirements for
screen printing is quite complex and time consuming.
The more colors and garment locations that you are
having screen printed, the more expensive the process
will be.
Due to the complexity of the setup involved, screen
printing may not be cost effective for producing
just a few items. We generally recommend producing
at least 12 items for each color and for each location.
A less complicated job, such as a one color item
printed on just one side, may be resistively cost
effective with just a dozen pieces, however, if
you desire an item to be printed with six colors
on two sides, our recommendation would be to purchase
at least 144 items.
When printing onto dark surfaces, an "underbase"
is usually required. This underbasing procedure
is normally a white layer of ink printed below the
visible layers and is typically completely covered
by the other color(s). The underbase allows for
the visible ink to be clearly apparent and not subdued
or washed-out looking. Dark colored garments printed
with an underbase will typically have a heavier
"hand" (a thicker feel to the printed
areas) than a light colored garment printed without
an underbase. The underbasing procedure require
additional art and setup time, and actually counts
as a color (so printing onto dark colored items
will be somewhat more expensive than printing onto
light colored items). Please take this into consideration
when requesting printing on dark colored garments.
The screen printing process is generally not well
suited for photo-realistic prints. Since the "dots"
of ink are much larger than in most other printing
technologies, when viewed close-up, halftone images
may appear to be somewhat "grainy", however
from a viewing distance of a few feet, the individual
halftone dots are not distinctly visible and do
tend to create a natural blending of color.
Screen printing does not "wash out" like
transfers or digital prints, and can last for hundreds
of washings if washed in cold water and turned inside
out (to protect the print from abrasion).
Screen Printing FAQ's
Can you print of picture of my grandchild?
We can. But the screen printing process never gives
you true photograpic quality, screen printing is
typically used to mass produce a large volume of
custom printed apparal and is not well suited for
making fine art reproductions.
Will I get my shirts tomorrow?
No. Screen printing is a multi-step process, and
we certainly don't have your custom printed shirts
printed in advanced of your order. Please be realistic.
We will never promise an order in less than a week,
and we recommend that you allow two weeks or more.
Remember, our free shipping offer is for regular
ground shipping using the carrier of our choice.
If you need the shirts in a hurry, we can ship them
next day air, but you will be responsible for the
cost of the shipping, and the cost of the shipping.
How do I know I am getting a good quality shirt?
All our products are first quality major brand names.
We do not offer second quality products. The truth
is second quality shirts only cost about a dime
less than first quality, so why would anyone want
to purchase seconds? We proudly display our catalog
of products so that you can choose your favorite
brand.
What if I don't like your printing?
We have tried our best to explain screen printing
on this site. Please make sure that you understand
the advantages and disadvantages of screen printing
before you place an order. We are a professional
company with a staff that takes pride in producing
a quality product, but there are limitations and
trade offs with any printing process. Go to any
major clothing retailer, ask them if they can show
you some screen printed apparel. If you are satisfied
with the screen printed apparel you see in major
stores, you will be satisfied with our printing,
conversely if you are not happy with the screen
printing you see in the stores, you will not be
satisfied with our product either.
How do I know this is not an internet ripoff?
We are a real brick and mortor company, in business
for nearly 20 years. Trust me, if we were a ripoff
company we would not be listed on the first page
of many search engines such as Google, MSN, AltaVista,
AllTheWeb, and even AOL (try the links and find
our listing).
I need 5 different designs printed and 100 shirts
each...
To us, that is 5 different orders of 100 each, not
1 order of 500. Every design change results in having
to change the screen and thus results in an additional
setup charge.
