We can read your mind. If you’re researching your options for t-shirt screen printing, we already know you’re thinking of ways you can save money on your order.
We love saving money too. (Who doesn’t?) But we also know that not all bargains are good. You don’t want to sacrifice quality just to save a few bucks.
So how do you find a happy medium? Whether you’re ordering shirts for your clothing brand or your team members, there are ways to impress your people without breaking the bank.
Today, we’re excited to share 12 ways you can save money on screen printing without ending up in a custom apparel fiasco.
You might be thinking, “DUH!”
But you shouldn’t overlook this tip. The custom apparel partner you work with will determine the quality of your finished products and the fees you pay to produce the apparel.
That’s why it’s important to choose a screen printing partner you can rely on. A trustworthy manufacturer will be transparent about their prices and any potential hidden costs.
Three words: vibes don’t lie.
In an initial meeting with a potential custom apparel partner, take note of their levels of professionalism and customer service. A manufacturer that communicates well and cares about your brand will likely become a valuable partner in the long run.
If they’re not responsive to your questions or seem more interested in making a quick sale than providing quality service, they might not be the right partner for you.
Remember, if you feel like they’re trying to take advantage of you, run the other way… FAST!
It’s crucial to understand what you’re agreeing to when you sign a contract with your manufacturer.
Be sure to ask about minimum order requirements, turnaround times, and any additional fees that may apply to your order.
The more information you can give them, the better. Make sure you understand each step in the production process and the costs associated with each.
Be sure to ask about any other fees that may apply to your order, such as artwork setup fees or shipping charges.
FYI: We offer free shipping to the USA for all our orders.
When you’re trying to save money on screen printing, the last thing you want is to be surprised by hidden fees.
Be sure to ask your potential custom apparel partner for a price quote upfront. This way, you’ll know exactly how much your order will cost and you can avoid any unwanted surprises.
At Scrappy Apparel, we believe in 100% transparency. We never charge hidden fees. When it comes to estimates, what you see is what you get!
And did we mention our quotes are free? Grab your free quote.
Samples will give you a good idea of the quality of a manufacturer’s products.
If you’re not happy with the quality of the samples, it’s probably not worth placing an order with that company.
But if you fall in love with your samples, you can be confident that you’re ordering from a reputable manufacturer that will make your custom apparel dreams come true.
Order samples of our screen printed products.
When you’re trying to save money, it’s important to compare prices.
Get quotes from multiple screen printing manufacturers and review them.
Be sure to compare apples to apples, though. Confirm that each quote is for the same type of shirt, number of colors, print size, etc.
And remember… cheaper is not always better!
After all, time is money.
You might be wondering what this has to do with custom apparel.
Well, when you’re trying to save money on screen printing, it’s important to make choices that will protect your time and energy.
Have you ever waited on hold with a customer service rep. for hours only to be told that your products are on backorder?
Yeah, we’ve been there too.
That’s why we’ve made it our mission to be different.
At Scrappy Apparel, we pride ourselves on our customer service and quick turnaround times.
We know that your time is valuable, so we make it our priority to get your order right the first time and deliver it to you fast.
Additionally, if you choose a custom apparel partner that has its processes down pat, you’ll be able to place your orders quickly and easily.
At Scrappy Apparel, our Brand Building Process (BBP) makes ordering screen printed shirts a piece of cake. All you have to do is submit your project details, approve your pre-production layouts, and chill. We’ll deliver your order to your doorstep with speed and accuracy like you’ve never seen before.
Our seamless processes and stellar customer service will save you time that you can use to grow your brand, and that will do more than just save you money—it will actually make you money!
We know this sounds counterintuitive. After all, you are reading this article to learn how to save money on your screen printing order, right?
Here’s the thing. If you go for the cheapest option in every decision you make for your custom apparel order, chances are you’ll end up with a product that isn’t exactly what you want.
If you don’t get what you want, you may end up spending more money later on re-orders.
While price is important, it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when making choices for your screen printing project. Your mindset should be to get the greatest value from your order, not necessarily the lowest price.
This tip may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to remember that when you’re trying to save money, you shouldn’t skimp on quality.
Investing in high-quality products may cost you a bit more upfront, but in the long run, it will save you money because you won’t have to replace your products as often.
And if you have your own custom apparel brand, product quality should be your top priority. Your customers will be wearing your shirts, so it’s your responsibility to ensure the products are made with care and attention to detail. You want your customers to recommend your brand to their friends, right?
Sacrificing quality will hurt your bottom line, not help it.
If you have a custom apparel brand, stocking an extensive inventory of designs can cost a lot of money upfront. Want to save some $$$? Focus on creating one or two apparel designs that you can sell repeatedly.
Consider selling new designs as limited editions to create a sense of urgency and encourage people to buy your products before they’re gone forever!
Plus, selling limited edition items is a great way to boost sales without having to invest in new designs all the time.
If you are ordering custom t-shirts for your employees, give everyone the same exact shirt instead of creating unique designs for each department.
Not only will this save you money on the screen printing process, but it will also make ordering shirts simpler and less time-consuming.
Usually, the more you order, the lower the price per shirt. (At least that’s how it works here at Scrappy Apparel.)
Be sure to ask about minimum order quantities (MOQs) before you commit to an order. Our MOQ for Retail Ready Screen Printing is only 50 shirts.
It’s better to order more shirts than you think you need the first time to avoid re-orders and additional fees.
The more colors you add to a design, the higher the price.
Don’t get us wrong—we love bright, vibrant designs. But if you want to add a pop of color while keeping costs low, choose a colorful shirt instead of adding multiple hues to the design itself.
A one-color print is a design that uses only one color of ink.
One-color prints are less expensive to produce than multi-color designs because they require fewer screens and less ink. This can actually make quite a statement, and it’s much more affordable than using all the colors in the rainbow.
This tip goes hand-in-hand with the previous one.
The more details you have in your design, the more expensive it will be to produce.
To save money on screen printing, avoid designs that are too complex.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Refine&Top.
The minimalistic vibe is in right now, anyway.
This is a great way to add interest to a design without adding unnecessary elements (and inflated screen printing costs).
Negative space is the empty space around and between the subjects of an image.
In the world of t-shirt design, using negative space can create some seriously cool effects—and it’s usually less expensive than adding more colors or details to a design.
Did you know that light-colored shirts are generally less expensive to produce than dark ones?
That’s because darker colors require more ink, which can end up costing you more money.
So if you’re looking to save money on your next order of custom t-shirts, consider choosing a light-colored shirt instead of a dark one.
If you want to add your custom design to the front AND back of a shirt, we can totally do that.
However, it will cost you more than printing your design in one location. The same goes for sleeve printing.
If you’re looking to reduce the cost of your screen printing order, consider limiting your design to one or two locations on the shirt instead of printing it all over.
Some inks are more expensive than others, so this is a good way to get an idea of what will affect the cost of your order.
At Scrappy Apparel, we use vibrant inks that produce long-lasting results, so you can be sure your custom t-shirts will look great wash after wash.
Our water-based inks are a great option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly printing method. They are less expensive than plastisol inks and produce a soft, comfortable print.
Alternatively, our plastisol inks are perfect for designs that require vibrant colors or need to withstand harsh conditions, like extreme heat or cold. Like we said, they do cost more than water-based inks, but they produce a durable print that will last for years.
If you’re not sure which type of ink is right for your custom t-shirt design, just ask! We would be more than happy to help you choose the best option for your needs.
To avoid paying extra for your custom t-shirts, be sure to give your manufacturer plenty of time to produce your order.
They will likely charge a rush fee if you need your order fulfilled faster than their normal delivery times.
Our turnaround time for Retail Ready Screen Printing is 15 to 20 business days.
At Scrappy Apparel, we offer discounts for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and nonprofits. Make sure to tell us if you qualify for one of those deals!
This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning. If you sell your custom t-shirts, you can offset the cost of your order and maybe even make a profit.
You don’t even need to have a clothing brand to sell custom apparel. If you order screen printed t-shirts for your employees, you can buy extras and sell them at events or in your store.
If people love your brand, they’ll want to show their support by wearing your shirts!
Ready to start screen printing? It's a big jump, but it's so worth it. To build your shop, you will need to obtain some equipment and supplies. Our team of experts put together a handy check list of everything you should know about and consider for your future shop.
The screen printing market has an abundance of screen printing presses. All these presses have different features, abilities, and prices. You want to make sure you're getting the right press for your goals and/or your customers' needs. How do you even begin to choose?
First, you pick a trusted brand. If you're looking at a Riley Hopkins press, you're in the right place. With more than 30 years of experience in the printing press industry and a professional reputation to match, Riley Hopkins makes some of the highest quality and most economical screen print presses a person can buy. The beloved press line is known worldwide for having top-tier features, fast adjustment, and cutting edge looks.
If you're brand new to screen printing, consider starting off with the Riley Hopkins 150 Press. The 150 is a simple, high-quality press that'll help you master the craft. If you're planning on establishing your screen printing business, consider the Riley Hopkins 250 Press or the Riley Hopkins 300 Press.
Stark Screen Printing's flash dryer.
If you're planning on printing multicolor designs, you will need equipment to gel or flash the ink. A heat gun can work, but it's very difficult to maintain consistent heat across the whole print.
The best option for gelling ink is to use a flash dryer. A flash dryer provides even, consistent heat across the whole print. The most popular flash dryer new printers grab is the RyoFlash Dryer.
Rogue Lab uses a conveyor dryer to cure garments.
You'll definitely need equipment to cure garments (don't want the prints to wash out). Many new printers use their flash dryer to cure garments. It works well for people learning the craft while saving some cash. If you use a flash to cure garments, take note on different variables like the temperature of room (pay attention in winter and height of summer, weather can shift conditions outside parameter, how long it takes to warm up platens); the type of t-shirt material; the kind of flash, the type of platen; and the temperature of ink, shirt, and platen. These variables will affect how long you will need to flash the garment to reach proper cure.
Printers could also use a heat press for curing. A heat press is more reliable than a flash dryer because it provides a stable heat source. It will share a readout of any temperature fluctuation while you're using it. A heat press is essentially a conveyor dryer without the conveyor belt. If you're already decorating with vinyl, a heat press will be an excellent, multi-use tool for you.
Best case scenario is to invest in a conveyor dryer. Conveyor dryers run multiple shirts through at a time which helps speed up production. You will need to adjust the speed of the belt and heat accordingly to the garment and the ink you are using. It may not be plausible to purchase one now, but it could be a good goal to have for the future.
LED exposure is the new standard for exposure units.
The exposure unit, is a very, very important piece of the darkroom. Needed to burn the images onto screens, the quality of the exposure unit matters. Some may start out with a bulb, while others get the X LED Exposure Unit. If you're able to chip in a bit more money, invest in a LED exposure unit like the X LED Exposure Unit. LED units are a game changer because a) they last WAY longer compared to UV bulbs, b) use WAY less energy, saving you money and c) produce an optimal wavelength so the stencils are even sharper. It's worth the investment.
Pro Tip: Wherever you burn screens, make sure it's light-safe!
If investing in an exposure unit is not doable for you right now, some businesses offer to burn screens for you, like NorCal Screen Printing and Supplies.
Symmetree cleans screens in a washout booth.
To rinse out freshly burned screens or reclaim old screens, you're going to need a space to accomplish those tasks. The most optimal way to clean screens is in a washout booth.
For some, getting a washout booth right out the gate is not in the cards. You could use a tub or laundry room sink as a washout booth, but you'll need to be careful about what goes down the drain. Inks and emulsion cannot go down the drain because it can lead to clogging the pipes. Place some sort of trap on the train to catch the waste. You need to consider the chemicals going down the drain as well because some are hazardous. Use Sgreen® chemicals, you won't have to worry about it because they are eco-friendly. If you're using your backyard as a washout booth, grab a black garbage bag and a spray bottle. After you expose a screen, spray both sides of the screen, place it in the plastic bag, and bring it outside to your hose or power washer (if you have a power washer, do not have it set higher than psi). As soon as you take it out of the bag, immediately spray the screen.
Symmetree checking out the printed film.
To make stencils, you're going to need a film printer. Many types of film output printers exist. The most common is an inkjet printer. Inkjet film has one side that's coated, and one side that isn't coated. The coating is important because it holds onto the ink from the printer. The coating also helps maintain the density and shape of the image.
When you print on film, the printer is using one of two inks. The ink could be UV-blocking (Epson printers use this ink) or it's a dye ink that's meant to completely stop all light. ScreenPrinting.com sells the Epson T printer with UV-blocking ink and it works wonderfully with high-detailed prints or halftones.
Asking a local print shop to print film positives for you is definitely an option if you do not have the funds for a film printer at the moment. Ask around to see if shops would provide that service and how much it would cost.
You will need a few programs to create the art and print it off properly. For creating art, screen printing experts suggest to use Adobe® Illustrator or Photoshop. If you have a graphic design background and know how to draw, consider drawing the design first in Procreate and then bring it over to Illustrator to make it print-ready.
Printing with halftones? A separation software like ImagePrint R.E.D. will help you separate artwork and set it up for the perfect print. Check out this course to learn how to use the software.
For printing films, you'll need software as well. There are many versatile programs to choose from. Make sure you use one that works well in your shop.
Alright, screen printing screens and frames are pretty important in screen printing. Screens have various mesh counts, which are used for different applications. What is mesh count? Well, mesh count is a measure of how many threads of polyester cross each other per square inch in the screen. For example, a 110 mesh screen would have 110 threads crossing per square inch. The higher the mesh count, the finer the holes are in the screen.
Here's a generic summary of the uses for most mesh sizes:
Don't forget about thin thread vs. standard thread, white vs. yellow screens, wood vs. aluminum, etc. It's a lot to learn, so take it one step at a time, but keep it on your radar.
Salt & Pine Co. prints with FN-INK™ in her shop. Photo by Life Unframed Photography.
The two most common screen printing inks are plastisol and water-based. Plastisol inks are the most uncomplicated way to start screen printing because they are easier to print, do not dry in the screen, cure painlessly, and are vibrant and opaque. Water-based inks are good if you'd like a softer feel, but the ink will dry in the screen and it's much more difficult to reach proper cure.
Baselayr Complete Emulsion is perfect for capturing fine detail.
Emulsion, the liquid that you coat screens with, comes in two variants — diazo and presensitized.
Presensitized emulsion is highly sensitive, exposes quicker, has a longer self-life and, captures fine detail beautifully. The downside of this kind is that it is VERY sensitive. In fact, it is so sensitive that daylight on a cloudy day would start to expose your image. If you wash the screens out outside, the emulsion would overexpose even the stencil. It's not for beginners.
Diazo (mixed) emulsion such as BaseLayr Long Lasting Emulsion or Chromaline CP Tex Water-Resistant Photopolymer Emulsion, requires the addition of a Diazo powder before printing. This must be mixed into the the entire base prior to opening and printing for the first time, and is often referred to as “sensitizing” the emulsion. The diazo-mixed emulsion takes longer to expose but is more forgiving. The 10% window of error also applies to diazo-mixed emulsions. Since it takes longer to expose diazo emulsions, your window of error is larger. Say you expose a screen for 10 minutes, you could go over or under by a minute.
Other factors like ink, type of exposure unit, and lighting in washout area will also affect which emulsion you use.
Stark Screen Printing has the whole line of Sgreen® chemicals.
Yup, there's more. You're going to need a scoop coater, screen tape, ink spatula or scoop, platen adhesive, digital non-contact laser thermometer, squeegees, platen tape, and scrub brushes.
Don't forget about the cleaning chemicals! First off, go with Sgreen® chemicals. The line is eco-friendly, biodegradable, and non-hazardous. They're safer for you, the screens, the plumbing, and the environment. Which chemicals do you need? Supreme Wash should be in every shop. It cleans up anything and everything. Cleaning off water-based inks will require Aqua Wash. For cleaning up plastisol inks, use the Ink Degrader. To reclaim screens, you're going to need the Emulsion Stripper to remove the emulsion and Stuff to degrease and dehaze the screens.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Me too. Luckily, shop packages exist that will contain everything you need to get started. No need to pick and choose, just select which package would be right for you and your business. Check out the different manual kits offered on ScreenPrinting.com.
Want more information on Screen Printing Ink Supplier? Feel free to contact us.