Screen printing is the classic way to print clothing in volume. Ink is pushed through a fine mesh stencil onto the garment, one colour at a time, giving a bold, solid and very durable print. It suits larger runs of t-shirts, hoodies, workwear and event merchandise.
We screen print in-house for businesses, brands, clubs and events, and for the trade on a white-label basis.
Screen printing at a glance
- Best for: runs of 25 or more, logos and graphics with a limited number of solid colours, and prints that need to last.
- Minimum order: 25 pieces per design.
- Setup: £25 per screen. Each colour in each print position needs its own screen.
- Inks: plastisol and water-based, with Pantone colour matching.
- Lead time: Typically 5–7 working days from approval and payment, subject to stock. Express delivery is available.
- Proof: a visual proof showing size, position and ink colours, approved by you before we make screens.
How screen printing works
- Separating the artwork. Your design is split into one layer per ink colour, and each layer is output as a film positive.
- Making the screens. A mesh screen is coated with light-sensitive emulsion and exposed through the film. Where the design is, the emulsion washes away, leaving an open stencil.
- Setting up the press. The screens are fitted to the press and lined up so each colour lands exactly where it should.
- Printing. Ink is pulled across the screen with a squeegee and pushed through the open mesh onto the garment. For multi-colour designs, each colour is printed in turn, and dark garments usually get a white underbase first.
- Curing. Garments go through a tunnel dryer to cure the ink so it's fixed and washable.
- Quality check and packing. Each piece is checked, folded, and sorted by size, or by name or location if you've asked for it.
What screen printing is good for
- Bright, solid colour. Thick, opaque ink layers give strong colour, even on dark garments.
- Accurate brand colours. Inks can be mixed to a Pantone reference, which digital methods can't always match.
- Durability. A properly cured screen print stands up to frequent washing, which matters for workwear and uniforms.
- Special finishes. Depending on the job, effects such as puff, metallic or soft-hand water-based prints may be possible. Ask when you send your brief.
Commercial screen printing
Commercial screen printing covers the larger, repeatable jobs businesses rely on: staff t-shirts, event and festival merchandise, promotional campaigns, uniforms for multi-site teams, and branded retail stock. What matters on these orders is consistency, accurate colour and a delivery date you can plan around.
For commercial orders we can:
- keep your screens' setup details and Pantone references on file for repeat orders;
- pack by size, by staff member or by site;
- combine screen printing with embroidery or DTF printing on the same order;
- source blanks from a wide range of brands, or print onto garments you supply.
Trade screen printing
We print for other printers, embroiderers, merchandise companies, promotional products distributors and agencies. Trade work is white-label: no Printem branding on packaging or paperwork, and we can send direct to your customer if you need us to. Many trade customers use us for overflow at busy times, for screen print if they only run digital or embroidery in-house, or as a regular production partner.
Find out more about trade printing and embroidery, or ask about a trade account when you send your first brief.
The best garments for screen printing
- T-shirts, the most popular choice for events, merchandise and promotional campaigns.
- Hoodies and sweatshirts for teams, schools, clubs and brands.
- Hi-vis and site workwear, where a durable print is essential.
- Tote bags for events, conferences and retail.
- Organic and sustainable blanks, which work well with water-based inks.
Screen printing works best on flat, even surfaces. Heavily ribbed, padded or waterproof garments, and items with seams through the print area, may be better suited to embroidery or a transfer.
Minimum order
Our screen printing minimum is 25 pieces per design. You can usually mix garment styles, colours and sizes within that total, as long as the print stays the same. For fewer than 25, see DTF or DTG printing, which have no minimum.
Lead time
Typically 5–7 working days from approval and payment, subject to stock. Express delivery is available. Your dispatch date is confirmed on the quote. Large commercial runs and orders with several print positions are scheduled with you at the start.
Artwork tips for screen printing
- Vector artwork is best. AI, EPS, PDF or SVG files with outlined fonts separate cleanly into colours.
- Give us Pantone references. We mix inks to Pantone Solid Coated references where possible.
- Mind fine detail. Very thin lines, small text and fine gradients can fill in or break up. We'll flag anything at risk before printing.
- Photographic designs can be screen printed using halftones, but DTF or DTG often gives a better result on smaller runs.
Print positions
All positions are described as worn.
- Left or right chest: a small logo, typically 8–10 cm wide.
- Centre front: mid-sized to full-front prints, up to roughly A3 on adult garments.
- Full back: up to roughly A3, popular for event details, staff roles and team names.
- Back neck: a small logo or website below the collar.
- Sleeve: upper arm, for a secondary logo or sponsor.
Washing and care
Wash inside out at up to 40°C, avoid bleach, and iron on the reverse only. Screen prints are among the hardest-wearing finishes we offer.
Not sure which method fits your order? Read our guide to choosing a print method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for screen printing?
Our minimum for screen printing is 25 pieces per design. You can usually mix sizes, colours and garment styles within that total.
How much does a screen cost?
Screens are £25 each. One screen is needed per colour, per print position.
Can you match my brand's Pantone colours?
Yes. We mix screen printing inks to Pantone references where possible, which is one of the main advantages of screen printing.
How long does screen printing take?
Typically 5–7 working days from approval and payment, subject to stock. Express delivery is available.
Do you offer trade screen printing?
Yes. We screen print for printers, embroiderers, merchandise companies and agencies on a white-label basis, with no Printem branding on packaging or paperwork.
Can you screen print on dark garments?
Yes. Dark garments usually get a white underbase first so the colours on top stay bright. The underbase counts as an extra screen.
Can I order fewer than 25 pieces?
For fewer than 25, we recommend DTF or DTG printing, which have no minimum order.
Can you combine screen printing and embroidery?
Yes. A common combination is an embroidered chest logo with a screen-printed back, all handled in one order.
Ready to price your job? Tell us the garment, quantity, sizes, artwork and the date you need it, and we'll come back with a method, a price and a proof.