Screen Printing: The Gold Standard for Custom Clothing

The Screen Printing Process

Screen printing is the best way of printing onto cotton clothing and is the ideal method for large designs. It is Indigo’s technique of choice for t-shirt printing because of the quality it produces. When you buy a printed tee in a high-street shop, it has most likely been screen printed.

Screens are made by putting a chemical emulsion on a mesh surface. Vector artwork is taken from Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw and printed out on a film-type paper or vellum. The screen is then exposed on a light table with the artwork under it. The light solidifies the chemicals around the design, and where the light failed to pass through, the chemical breaks down. The screen is then rinsed out and what is left is the area where the light hit.

The shirt is placed on a platen and each screen swings around over the top of the shirt. The screen is then brought down and placed on top of the shirt. A squeegee is pulled over that screen’s ink colour, pushing the ink onto the shirt fabric. The screen is carefully lifted off the shirt (if the shirt moves or is stretched, the next colour will be out of registration). The platen with the shirt is moved under a flash unit to dry. The shirt platen is brought back and the next colour screen is swung over the top of it.

When screen printing, one colour is applied at a time and therefore the cost increases with each additional colour applied. A separate screen is required for each colour, and hence, screen charges may be uneconomical if only a small quantity of clothing is required.

The Quality of Screen Printing

Screen printed garments wash well, and should not be confused with heat transfer printing which does not look as good or last so well. Many t-shirt printing shops use this cheaper method rather than screen printing. You may also hear screen printing referred to as silk screening or silkscreen, as screen meshes used to be made out of silk.

The durability and vibrancy of screen printing make it the preferred choice for brands, sports teams, and events that demand clothing which looks great wash after wash. Prints withstand repeated washing at 40°C without fading or cracking.

Screen Print Prices

When you place an order for screen printed clothing there are two charges:

1. Setup Charge

The first is a setup charge which covers the cost of having the design made into a screen. This charge is ‘one off’ as the screen is stored for future use. Therefore, if you place another order in the future with the same design, there would be no setup charge.

Screen print setup is charged at £20 per screen (ex VAT). One screen is required for each different design, and different screens are required for each colour printed and each different location of printing. For example, a one-colour front and back print requires two screens if the design on the front is different to the design on the back.

2. Per Screen / Per Colour Charge

The second charge is a ‘per screen’ charge which applies to each item that is customised. This covers the cost of labour, materials, and our other manufacturing overheads. The per-screen charge is directly based on the number of items to be printed with the same design and applies to each screen.

Standard lead time is approximately 5 to 10 working days. Contact us for long lead time pricing. High-volume prices (500+) are sometimes negotiable. *Prices correct at time of publishing.

Alternative Printing Methods

Screen printing is not always the best choice for every project. Here are some alternatives we offer:

• DTG (Direct to Garment) — A recent development in the textile printing industry which produces a high-quality finish similar to that of screen printing. It is ideal for short runs and prints that normally would require many screens. DTG works like an inkjet printer for fabric, making it perfect for photographic designs and colour gradients.
• Transfer Printing — Heat transfer vinyl is cut to shape and heat-pressed onto your garments. A reliable choice for small runs, personalised names and numbers, and solid colour designs.
• Embroidery — For a premium, textured finish on polo shirts, jackets, and corporate wear. Embroidery adds a professional, tactile quality that printing cannot replicate.

Not sure which method is right for your project? Compare all our printing methods side by side, or get in touch and we’ll recommend the best approach for your needs.

Screen Printing Methods at a Glance

How Our Screen Printing Service Works

1. Tell Us What You Need — Complete our quote form or call us on 0800 061 2207. Let us know your quantity, design requirements, timeline, and budget. Don’t worry if you’re not sure about technical details — we’ll guide you through the options.
2. We’ll Recommend the Best Approach — Based on your needs, we’ll suggest the optimal combination of garments and printing method. We’ll send blank samples free of charge with your order so you can check quality and fit.
3. Approve Your Visual Proof — We’ll send you a digital mockup showing exactly how your design will look on the chosen garments. Once you approve, we move to production.
4. We Print & Deliver — Standard turnaround is 5–10 working days from artwork approval. Need it faster? We offer express services for urgent deadlines. We deliver anywhere in the UK.

Beyond Screen Printing: Complete Custom Clothing Solutions

Whilst screen printing is our speciality, we customise clothing using a full range of techniques across thousands of products:

• T-Shirt Printing: Screen, DTG, and transfer methods across all garment types
• Hoodies & Sweatshirts: Perfect for colder weather and layering
• Polo Shirts: Professional appearance for corporate wear
• Embroidery: Premium finish for logos, workwear, and corporate clothing
• Jackets & Fleeces: Branded outerwear for all seasons
• Gift Boxes & Packaging: Create memorable unboxing experiences

Frequently Asked Questions About Screen Printing

What is screen printing?

Screen printing (also known as silk screening or silkscreen printing) is a traditional method of transferring ink onto fabric through a mesh screen. A separate screen is created for each colour in your design, and ink is pushed through the mesh onto the garment using a squeegee. It is the most widely used method for printing custom t-shirts, hoodies, and other clothing.

How much does screen printing cost?

There are two charges: a one-off setup fee of £20 per screen (ex VAT), and a per-item charge based on quantity. The more items you order, the lower the cost per item. For example, a single-colour print on 100 t-shirts is significantly cheaper per unit than a run of 25. High-volume orders (500+) may qualify for further discounts. Get a detailed quote for your specific requirements.

What is the minimum order for screen printing?

We require a minimum of 20 items for screen printing. For smaller quantities, DTG printing or transfer printing may be more cost-effective as there are no screen setup charges.

How long does screen printing take?

Our standard turnaround is 5 to 10 working days from artwork approval. We offer express services for urgent orders — contact us to discuss your deadline and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Will screen printing crack or fade after washing?

Screen printed garments wash exceptionally well. The prints are highly durable and maintain their vibrancy through repeated washes. We recommend washing inside-out at 30–40°C and avoiding tumble drying where possible. Screen printing should not be confused with heat transfer printing, which does not last as well.

Can you match my brand’s Pantone colours?

Yes. One of the key advantages of screen printing is accurate Pantone colour matching. We mix inks to your specified Pantone references, ensuring your brand colours are reproduced precisely on every garment.

What file format should my artwork be?

We prefer vector files (AI, EPS, or PDF) for the sharpest results with screen printing. Vector artwork allows us to create clean, precise screens at any size. High-resolution PNG or JPEG files (minimum 300dpi) can also work. Not sure if your artwork is suitable? Send it over and we’ll advise.

What is the difference between screen printing and DTG?

Screen printing uses physical screens and squeegees to push ink onto fabric, whilst DTG (Direct to Garment) uses a digital inkjet printer. Screen printing excels at vibrant solid colours on any garment colour and is more cost-effective for larger runs. DTG is better for photographic designs and small quantities with no setup cost. Both methods produce high-quality results — the best choice depends on your design, quantity, and budget.

Do you offer embroidery as well as screen printing?

Yes. Indigo Clothing offers a full embroidery service alongside screen printing. Embroidery is ideal for logos on polo shirts, jackets, and corporate workwear, providing a premium textured finish. We can combine both techniques on the same garment — for example, a screen-printed design on the back with an embroidered logo on the chest.

What garments can be screen printed?

Screen printing works on a wide range of cotton and cotton-blend garments including t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, polo shirts, tote bags, and more. We source quality garments from trusted suppliers, or we can print on your own supplied garments — get in touch to discuss.