Artwork

Whenever possible, please provide color separated, camera-ready artwork.

Design

Without camera-ready artwork, you will need Graphic Design Services to prepare your design for the next step. We can work from your original art, or if necessary you will need to supply objects, photographs, text, ideas, or concepts of what you wish to have printed. Please see our ‘ What To Expect ' sheet for our graphic design process and costs.

Separation

Once the design is complete and accepted by you, each color of the artwork must be separated and transferred to Film Positives. Imagine large sheets camera film.

Screen Preparation

Film Positive

The Film Positive is very similar to a film negative. It is neccessary to transfer your artwork onto a screen, which is a high quality stencil for each color. One Film Positive is created to represent each color of your design.

Screen

The screen is a porous mesh, stretched tightly over a frame made of wood or metal. The mesh is made of fabric or stainless steel. Using the Film Positive, a stencil is photochemically produced on the screen. The stencil defines the image to be printed.

Garment Selection

Select the type of garment you want to print. (i.e. Shirts, Towels, Jackets, Pants) We can ship you our Blanks and Accessories. We have access to other items, should you want something more contemporary. Be aware that certain items and materials require special handling (i.e. dark colors, polyester, nylon)


Production

Screen printing ink is applied by placing the screen over the garment. Ink with a paint-like consistency is placed onto the top of the screen. The ink is then forced through the fine mesh using a squeegee that is drawn across the screen, applying pressure thereby forcing the ink through the stencil on the screen; thus forming an image on the garment. Orders of 72 or more pieces are printed on an automatic hydraulic press, producing a consistent high quality impression. Orders less than 72 pieces are run on manual presses, producing a good quality impression. Many factors such as composition, size and form, angle, pressure, and speed of the blade (squeegee) determine the quality of the impression made by the squeegee.

Optional Service

Re-labeling:    To remove the generic labels, replacing them with your custom labels

Bagging:        To place each shirt or item into an individual plastic bag.