How Screen Printing Works: A Complete Guide
Screen printing is the most popular method for custom t-shirts, and for good reason — it produces vibrant, durable prints at a low per-unit cost. But how does it actually work? This guide walks you through the screen printing process from artwork to finished product.
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing (also called silk screening) is a technique where ink is pushed through a mesh screen stencil onto fabric. Each color in your design requires a separate screen. The ink sits on top of the fabric, creating a thick, vibrant print that lasts for dozens of washes.
The Screen Printing Process
First, your artwork is separated into individual color layers. Each layer is burned onto a mesh screen using a UV-exposure process. The screens are loaded onto a press, the garment is placed on a platen, and ink is pushed through each screen one color at a time. After all colors are printed, the garment goes through a conveyor dryer to cure the ink permanently.
Types of Ink
The two main ink types are plastisol and water-based. Plastisol sits on top of the fabric and produces a thick, vibrant, opaque print — ideal for dark garments. Water-based ink soaks into the fabric for a softer hand feel but works best on light-colored shirts. Both are extremely durable when properly cured.
When to Choose Screen Printing
Screen printing is the best choice for orders of 24+ pieces with 1–6 colors. The setup cost (creating screens) is spread across the order, making it the cheapest per-unit method at volume. If your design has photographic detail, unlimited colors, or you need fewer than 12 pieces, DTF transfers may be a better fit.
Screen Printing at Perfect Fitz T-Shirts & Specialties
At Perfect Fitz T-Shirts & Specialties in Broussard, LA, we run commercial-grade manual and automatic screen printing presses. Whether you need 24 shirts for a family reunion or 5,000 for a corporate event, we handle it in-house with fast turnaround and consistent quality across every piece.