Understanding the screen printing process helps you plan your custom apparel project more effectively. From initial concept to final delivery, knowing what happens at each stage ensures smoother project execution and better results. This guide walks you through the key steps and timelines of the screen printing process.
Design Preparation
The foundation of every successful screen printing project is proper artwork preparation. Your design needs to be created or converted to the right format for screen printing. Vector artwork generally produces the best results, though high-resolution raster images can work for some designs. Our art department can help convert your existing logo or create new artwork that will print beautifully.
Color Selection
Screen printing uses individual screens for each color in your design. Understanding color selection impacts both cost and appearance. While Pantone color matching is available for exact brand colors, standard ink colors can often achieve similar results at a lower cost. Dark garments typically require an under-base white layer to ensure color vibrancy, which counts as an additional color in the printing process.
Proofing Stage
Before production begins, you’ll receive a digital proof showing your design positioned on the garment. This crucial step allows you to:
- Verify design size and placement
- Confirm color selections
- Check spelling and details
- Approve final layout
Production Timeline
A typical screen printing order moves through several stages after approval. Standard production takes 7-10 business days, though rush services are available. The timeline includes:
Screen Creation Each color in your design requires a separate screen, carefully created to ensure precise registration. This process involves coating, exposing, and developing each screen to create your design’s stencil.
The Printing Process Your garments are loaded onto the press, and each color is printed separately in perfect registration. Our experienced printers carefully monitor quality throughout the run to ensure consistency across all pieces.
Quality Control
Every order undergoes multiple quality checks throughout production. We inspect for:
- Print quality and registration
- Ink coverage and consistency
- Correct garment sizes and colors
- Proper curing temperature
- Packaging accuracy
Remember, clear communication and proper planning help ensure your custom apparel order meets your expectations. Don’t hesitate to ask questions at any stage of the process – we’re here to help create exceptional printed apparel for your organization.
Call us at 847-215-2500 today!
Contact Us
We hope to hear from you! Visit our friendly people, or just give us a call. And if you’d like, use the contact form to send some more info!
Locations:
State Graphics – Wheeling
468 Diens Drive
Wheeling, IL 60090
Hours:
M-F 8:00AM-5:00PM
State Graphics – Lake Barrington
22292 N. Pepper Road, Unit C
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
Hours:
M-F 8:00AM-5:00PM
State Graphics – Highland Park
1500 Old Deerfield Road, Unit 5
Highland Park, IL 60035
Hours:
M-F 8:30AM-3:30PM
Email: sales@stategraphics.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stategraphics
