The one t-shirt printing method that has stood the test of time is screen printing. This method has been serving t-shirt manufacturers for decades, and for good reason. It delivers bold, vibrant prints that last wash after wash.  But is it enough to make it the right method for your business? Let’s break it down and find out.

In this blog, you’ll discover everything you need to know about screen printing, from how the process works and what equipment it takes, to setup costs, durability, trends, pros and cons, and much more in detail.

What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing, also known as t-shirt screen printing, involves pushing ink through a mesh stencil onto fabric. Each color requires a separate screen, making it ideal for bold designs with limited colors.

How Screen Printing Works 

Screen printing involves a series of unique procedures that differentiate it from other t-shirt printing methods. Before diving deep, refer to these unique terms for a better understanding.

Screen: A mesh commonly made of silk or polyester stretched tightly over a wooden frame. This screen acts as the stencil when creating the design.

Emulsion Paint: A type of paint that hardens only at spots exposed to light.

Squeegee: A rubber-edged blade used to scrape off excess liquids from surfaces, in this case, excess emulsion and ink.

Other than the above materials, you also need t-shirt printing ink, transparent sheets, blow dryers, and a strong light source.

Here’s how the process goes:

1. Design Stage: The artwork or design needs to be separated into layers based on color. (one for each color)

2. Screen Setup: Apply emulsion on your silk screen using the squeegee. Apply in an upward scraping motion and wait till the emulsion drips down after each scrape. Then blow-dry it over.

3. Stencil Creation: Create screens for each layer of your artwork. First, draw or print the design on a transparent sheet with ink that doesn’t let light pass through. Then, the design is laid backward on the front of the screen and exposed to light for about 2 minutes until the emulsion hardens. After hardening, use a water hose and rinse off the unhardened design from the screen. Each color of your design gets its own stencil-like mesh screen.

4. Ink Application: Ink is spread over the screen and pressed onto the fabric using the squeegee. Finish it up by curing the design with heat.

The result? A smooth, even print with rich colors.

Equipment & Setup Costs

Screen-printing isn’t the most budget-friendly option for beginners. This printing technique requires some upfront investment, unlike other t-shirt printing methods.

Basic Setup Costs for a Screen Printing Business:
Screens & Frames: $20–$50 per screen
Inks & Emulsions: $50–$200 (depending on colors)
Squeegees & Tools: $10–$30 each
Curing Machine or Heat Dryer: $300–$2,000+ (only for long-term investment)

Order Size 

Screen printing is best for medium to large orders (50-500+ units). Large orders pay off quickly because the cost per print is super low! They are not ideal for small custom runs due to high setup costs.

Durability

One major reason businesses love screen-printing is its exceptional durability. A well-made screen-printed t-shirt can withstand approximately 50+ washes before any fading starts. Using cold water when washing and avoiding high heat exposure when drying can further extend the lifespan.

Trends & Opportunities

Screen printing allows the base for many other trending t-shirt printing methods like Puff Prints, Metallic Glitter Designs, and Fluorescent Prints. Custom t-shirt stores and brands can step out of standard prints and play with their creativity to create best-selling, high-quality custom t shirts.

Ideal for

Screen printing is best for large-scale orders from clothing brands, merch stores, and custom t-shirts for events. Custom t shirt stores can print on demand high-quality custom t shirts by investing some time and effort in the stencil setup stage.

Pros:
✔ Screen printed t shirts last way longer than other methods
✔ Screen-printed options are very profitable for bulk printing orders.
✔ The method works well on a variety of fabrics.
✔ Can create various specialty prints.

Cons:
✖ Screen printing consumes high setup time, making it not ideal for small batch orders.
✖ Limited in color blending and gradients. (only good for solid colors)
✖ Requires a large space for equipment if you plan on doing it long-term.

Start Your Screen Printing Project Today

Screen printing remains a top choice for creating bold, durable custom t-shirts thanks to its vibrant colors, long-lasting prints, and cost efficiency for medium to large orders. While the process requires careful setup and equipment investment, it delivers professional-quality results that stand out wash after wash. 

If you’re looking for expert service without the hassle, MyNameT offers same-day screen printing with rich, high-quality prints, fast turnaround times, and a variety of specialty finishes. Whether you need bulk orders for your brand, events, or merchandise, MyNameT ensures flawless results that bring your designs to life.