Sharp, clean lines
Screen printing lays down solid ink through a mesh. Crisp edges hold; soft ones fill in.
Guide
Screen
printing.
Vibrant, durable and economical once the quantities climb. This guide covers what makes artwork work, where the print can sit, the inks we carry and the garments we run most often — so you can walk into the conversation already knowing what you want.
Step one
It’s all about
the artwork.
Screen printing rewards bold, simple artwork. Here is what prints beautifully.
A limited color palette
Each color is a separate screen and a separate pass. Fewer colors means a cleaner print and a lower setup.
Limited fine detail
Hairlines and very small type can close up. We will tell you before it becomes a problem, not after.
No gradients
Smooth fades do not translate to solid spot inks. If your artwork needs them, we will point you at a better decoration method.
Vector file format is preferred — .ai, .eps or a vector .pdf. If all you have is a logo off a website, send it anyway; redrawing artwork to print-ready vector is something we do in-house.
Step two
Where it sits.
Eight common placements and the sizes that suit them. Green shows the printable area.
Step three
Pick your
ink.
Standard ink colors
Lemon Yellow
#FCD923Chrome Yellow
#FFC609Golden Yellow
#FCB525Orange
#EF5E22Flag Red
#E12826Scarlet Red
#D03439Brite Red
#C5202ECardinal Red
#AF1F2DMaroon
#653331Cool Pink
#F297C0Deep Purple
#4D4185Navy
#091C2BLight Navy
#012B45Royal Blue
#285699Mono Blue
#2872B9University Blue
#5A8AB5Brite Blue
#007CBBPeacock Blue
#30B5D8Aqua Marine
#118DA1Lime Green
#09AD50Brite Green
#008345Kelly Green
#006953Chrome Green
#133E35Sienna Brown
#6D3629Khaki
#D8C69DCream
#FAEBDAVegas Gold
#E2DAC3Light Grey
#A2A9ADDark Grey
#7B868DGrey
#76787BSuper White
#FFFFFFBlack
#231F20Specialty inks — available at a premium
Orbit Yellow
#EDEB77Inferno Orange
#F58772Aurora Pink
#F05F9BSolar Blue
#0082BETraffic Green
#5ABA47Neon Magenta
#E1198FAlso available in shimmer, metallic and glow finishes: Brite Gold Shimmer, Metallic Pale Gold, Silver Shimmer, Green Shimmer, Blue Shimmer, Red Shimmer, Glow-in-the-Dark.
Don’t see your color? We mix custom colors routinely — send us a PMS number and we will match it.
Step four
Choose the
garment.
| Style | Garment | Weight & fabric | Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Gildan Ultra Cotton T-ShirtHeavyweight workhorse. Prepared-for-dye fabric, taped neck and shoulders, classic fit. | 6.0 oz, 100% US cotton | S–5XL |
| 5000 | Gildan Heavy Cotton T-ShirtThe everyday standard. Widest color range in the book. | 5.3 oz, 100% US cotton | S–5XL |
| PC54 | Port & Company Core Cotton TeeClassic silhouette at a friendly price. Removable tag for relabeling. | 5.4 oz, 100% cotton | S–6XL |
| PC61 | Port & Company Essential TeeBest seller for groups, teams, clubs and schools. | 6.1 oz, 100% soft spun cotton | S–6XL |
| PC55 | Port & Company Core Blend TeeSoftness and durability. Made with up to 5% recycled polyester. | 5.5 oz, 50/50 cotton/poly | S–6XL |
| LPC54V | Port & Company Women’s Core Cotton V-NeckSide seamed with a contoured body. | 5.4 oz, 100% cotton | XS–4XL |
| PC54LS | Port & Company Long Sleeve Core Cotton TeeThe Core Cotton tee with sleeves. | 5.4 oz, 100% cotton | S–4XL |
| PC78H | Port & Company Core Fleece Pullover HoodieAir jet yarn for softness, two-ply hood. | 7.8 oz, 50/50 cotton/poly fleece | S–4XL |
| PC78ZH | Port & Company Core Fleece Full-Zip HoodieSelf-fabric hood lining, YKK metal zipper, front pockets. | 7.8 oz, 50/50 cotton/poly fleece | S–6XL |
| PC78Q | Port & Company Core Fleece 1/4-Zip PulloverDyed-to-match YKK zipper. A staff-uniform favorite. | 7.8 oz, 50/50 cotton/poly fleece | S–4XL |
| DT6106 | District V.I.T. Fleece 1/4-ZipAn ideal canvas for decorators. Side seamed, rib knit cuffs and hem. | 8.3 oz, 65/35 ring spun cotton/poly | XS–4XL |
Our printing process works best on garments containing at least 50% cotton. The styles above are the ones we run most often — they are a starting point, not the whole catalog. If you have a garment in mind that is not here, ask; we source from all the major blank mills.
Details
The specifics.
- Minimum order
- 12 pieces
- Preferred artwork
- Vector — .ai, .eps, vector .pdf
- Fabric
- Best on 50% cotton or higher
- Typical turnaround
- 10–14 business days after proof approval
- Proofing
- Always — nothing prints without your approval
- Custom color
- PMS matching and custom mixing available
Questions
Before you order.
How many pieces do I need to order?
Twelve is our minimum for screen printing, and the same for embroidery. Below that, other decoration methods usually make more sense and we will say so.
Why does adding colors cost more?
Each ink color is a separate screen, separately burned, aligned and printed. The cost sits in setup rather than in the ink, which is why a one-color print on 200 shirts is far cheaper per piece than a four-color print on 20.
My logo has a gradient. Can you still print it?
Not as a straight screen print. We would either simplify the artwork to spot colors or move you to a method that handles continuous tone. Either way we will show you a proof before anything goes to press.
Can you match a specific brand color?
Yes. The card shows our standard inks, but we mix custom colors routinely — send a PMS number and we will match it.
What file should I send?
Vector is best: .ai, .eps or a vector .pdf. If you only have a JPG or a logo pulled off a website, send it anyway and we will redraw it.
Can I see it before you print 200 of them?
Always. Nothing goes to press without an approved proof.
Still not sure?
Talk it through
with us.
Our team is happy to sit down with you so your custom garments turn out right the first time. Bring your logo, your quantity and your deadline — we will handle the rest.
Ready to make
something great.
Tell us about your project and we’ll help you find the right solution, the right process and the right partner.