Screen Printing

What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing (also called silk screening) is a time-tested printing technique that produces bold, durable prints on fabric and other materials. At Houston Print Company, we use screen printing for bulk apparel orders where quality and longevity matter most.

How Screen Printing Works

The screen printing process involves several precise steps:

• Design Preparation: We convert your artwork into print-ready files, separating each color into its own layer
• Screen Creation: For each color in your design, we create a mesh screen with your image burned into a light-sensitive emulsion
• Ink Selection: We mix custom ink colors to match your specifications - Pantone matching available
• Printing: Each shirt is placed on a press, and ink is pushed through the screens one color at a time
• Curing: The printed shirts pass through a conveyor dryer that heat-sets the ink permanently into the fabric

Why Choose Screen Printing?

Screen printing offers advantages that other methods can't match:

• Durability: Screen printed designs outlast the garment itself - no cracking, peeling, or fading
• Vibrant Colors: Plastisol inks produce bright, opaque colors even on dark fabrics
• Cost Efficiency: For orders of 24+ pieces, screen printing offers the best per-unit pricing
• Versatility: We can print on cotton, polyester, blends, and specialty fabrics
• Consistency: Every shirt in your order looks identical - crucial for uniforms and team apparel

What We Screen Print

Our screen printing services cover a wide range of apparel and items:

• T-shirts, tank tops, and sleeveless shirts
• Hoodies, sweatshirts, and quarter-zips
• Polo shirts and performance wear
• Tote bags and canvas bags
• Jerseys and athletic apparel
• Aprons, bandanas, and accessories

Ideal Screen Printing Projects

Screen printing works best for:

• Sports team uniforms and fan gear
• Company uniforms and employee apparel
• School spirit wear and club shirts
• Event merchandise and promotional giveaways
• Fundraiser t-shirts for organizations
• Band and music merchandise

Minimum Orders and Pricing

Screen printing requires creating custom screens for each color, so there's a setup cost that makes larger orders more economical. Our typical minimum is 24 pieces, though we can accommodate smaller runs for the right projects. Pricing depends on quantity, number of colors, print locations, and the garment you choose. Contact us for a detailed quote on your project.

Turnaround Time

Standard screen printing orders take 7-10 business days from proof approval. Rush orders may be available depending on our current workload - just ask. We understand deadlines matter, especially for events, and we'll work with you to meet your timeline.