Screen printing is the most efficient method available for printing customized t-shirts. The process for printing your own T-shirts is a relatively simple one and if done correctly you'll have access to any graphic you can imagine printed onto one of our T-shirts. We're really excited about screen printing and we wanted to provide a little insight into the process with our loyal customers. You can purchase our high-quality Gildan T-Shirts and try your hand at screen printing yourself!

Make sure that you get the best quality t-shirts

Before you proceed with screen printing, you need to make sure that you are equipped with the best quality t-shirts. Cheap T-shirts tend to cause problems when printed on and may not last as long as a higher quality one.  We also highly recommend a shirt that has one solid color such as the AllMade Cotton T-shirt. Shirts with multiple colors on them are going to be much harder to get a decent looking final result. If this is your first attempt at printing your own shirts you should consider buying in bulk in case your first few tries don't go as planned.

Take a look at the video tutorials

Youtube and other video hosting websites have a large number of video tutorials that are  available for free to teach you the basics of screen printing. If you're new to screen printing you should definitely refer to a tutorial to help guide you along. The more knowledgeable you are in the process the better your shirts are going to turn out in the end.  

Use the highest resolution possible

The graphics you use for screen printing should be of the highest quality available. Lower quality images will result in a lower quality final product. The higher the resolution of the image you're trying to print the better it will look when it's printed onto the T-shirt. Low quality images tend to be blurry and cheaply made.

Pick a screen with the right mesh count

Different printing projects will require different printing screens. It's crucial that the right screen is used for the right project. Pay special attention to the mesh count! Lower mesh counts are fine when working on a simple job, but more complicated jobs might require screens that can handle a higher mesh count.

Keep an eye on the equipment on a regular basis

You can either use manual equipment or automatic equipment for screen printing. Like all equipment, screen printers need to be regularly maintained. When using a press the screws can become loosened over time resulting in blurry pictures and wasted product. Regular maintenance and cleaning will ensure that your final product will always be of a high quality, and your equipment will last significantly longer.

Do a test print

Last but not least, you need to do a test print. When doing a large order a test print should be done on a few shirts to make sure that your orders come out exactly as envisioned.

Keep these tips in your mind and good luck with your screen printing! Bella + Canvas t-shirts  are excellent for printing on and will be able to help and support you throughout the process.