How to Choose Your Screen Printer
So, you’re interested in having t-shirts printed. Here’s some general info to help you decide on how to do it and who to hire to do it.
Today there are two basic ways to get your image onto t-shirts. There’s direct SCREEN PRINTING–where a specially designed ink is applied directly to the shirt by passing ink through a screen–and there are TRANSFERS–where an image is applied to transfer paper and then applied to the shirts with a heat press. Living Planet does direct screen printing.
In general, transfers are better suited for “one offs” or small runs of shirts with a multi-coloured image. If you’re thinking of getting 12 or more shirts, chances are you’re better off price wise to have the shirts screen printed.
With screen printed shirts the two main variables that affect the PRICE are the number of colours of ink being printed and the number of shirts being printed. On a per shirt basis the more shirts you order the cheaper it gets. Conversely the more colours of ink required to create your image the more expensive it gets.
Once you’ve decided on the number of shirts you want and have an image or logo to print, how do you know who to hire to do the work for you? If you go through the phone book calling up screen printers you’re likely to get a wide variety of price estimates. Here’s a few tips on how to narrow down the choices…
1. Compare apples to apples
There are many brands of t-shirt to choose from. And there are usually more than one grade of shirt within each brand. Make sure you’re being quoted on the same (or equivalent) brand and style.
2. Extra charges
Is the price you’re being quoted a final price? Sometimes there will be extra charges for things such as screen set-ups, artwork, film or a “rush” turnaround time. Some companies bill extra for these.
3. Proof
Will the printing company provide a finished shirt for you to see before the entire order is printed? We do.
4. Quality
Will the company show you samples of their work? If they do, are the colours on dark shirts bright and sharp? Are multi-coloured prints “in register” – that is do the colours line up as they are supposed to? Will they show you a well washed sample to demonstrate that the image hasn’t cracked or faded noticeably? We do.
5. References
Will the company give you the names and contact numbers of satisfied customers? We do.
6. Environment
Does the company use environmentally safe products and methods in their shop? We do.
7. Ownership of Art and Films
If you decide to change your screen printer will your original printer give you the films and artwork that you’ve probably already paid for? We do.
At Living Planet our quote is all inclusive. There are no hidden charges. We’ll print you a proof. We’ll show you our quality – or just ask anyone who owns a Living Planet t-shirt. We’ll give you references. We use the most environmentally safe products available. And we give you ownership of your artwork and films.
In short – there may be cheaper screen printers out there, but there are none better than Living Planet.