How much does screen printing cost?

Screen printing cost depends on quantity and colors. A 1-color print on 100 t-shirts typically costs $3-5/unit. A 4-color print on 500 units costs $4-7/unit. Setup fees ($25-35/color) are one-time charges.

Can screen printing do gradients?

Standard screen printing uses spot colors, not gradients. However, "simulated process" screen printing uses halftone dots to approximate gradients with 4-8 screens. For true photographic gradients, DTG or DTF is recommended.

What are specialty screen print inks?

Available specialty inks include: metallic/foil (gold, silver), glow-in-the-dark, puff (3D raised texture), discharge (removes dye for soft hand feel on dark garments), and high-density (extra-thick raised print).

How long do screen prints last?

Screen prints are the most durable decoration method alongside embroidery — lasting 100+ washes. Plastisol inks create a thick, flexible layer that resists cracking and fading far better than digital printing methods.

Screen print vs DTG: when to choose which?

Choose screen print for: 50+ units, simple designs (1-6 colors), maximum opacity, and lowest per-unit cost. Choose DTG for: 1-49 units, complex multicolor/photographic designs, and quick turnaround without setup fees.

Screen Print SPECIFICATION

Screen Printing (Silk Screen)

The industry standard for bold, opaque prints at scale

Updated February 2026

Screen printing is the most cost-effective method for large orders (100+ units) with limited colors (1-6). It produces the most opaque, vibrant, and durable prints available — the industry standard for promotional apparel.

Most cost-effective for 100+ units (per-unit cost drops dramatically)
Maximum opacity and vibrancy — thickest ink deposit
Each color = separate screen ($25-35 setup per color)
Best for: simple logos, text, solid shapes with 1-6 colors
Specialty inks: metallic, glow-in-dark, puff, discharge

What is Screen Printing (Silk Screen)?

Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh stencil (screen) onto the garment surface. Each color requires a separate screen. It produces the most opaque, vibrant prints with excellent durability — and is the most cost-effective method for large-batch orders.

Technical Specifications

Colors per Design

1-8 (each = separate screen)

Ink Type

Plastisol (standard), water-based, discharge

Opacity

Highest of all methods

Max Print Area

14" x 17" (35 x 43 cm)

Screen Mesh

110-305 mesh (varies by detail)

Durability

100+ washes

Setup

$25-35 per color per screen

Sweet Spot

100-10,000+ units

File Requirements

File Format

Vector (AI, EPS, SVG) strongly preferred

Resolution

300 DPI minimum for raster

Colors

Must be separated — max 8 spot colors

Color Specification

Pantone (PMS) colors required for matching

Halftones

Possible but limited (simulated process)

Download Template

Best For

Bulk promotional apparel (100+ units)
Simple logos and text designs
Event merchandise and giveaways
Team uniforms (solid logos)
Designs requiring maximum opacity
Specialty effects (metallic, glow, puff)

Not Ideal For

Photographic or gradient images
Designs with 8+ colors (use DTG)
Single-unit or very small orders
Frequently changing designs

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Lowest per-unit cost for large orders
Most opaque and vibrant prints
Extremely durable (100+ washes)
Specialty inks available
Industry standard — proven quality

Limitations

Per-color screen setup cost
Not cost-effective under 50 units
Limited to 8 spot colors
Cannot reproduce photographic detail
Setup time (screen creation)

Compatible Products

T-ShirtsHoodiesTote BagsPostersTank TopsSweatshirtsJackets

Production Details

5-10 business days (includes screen setup)

Lead Time

25 units recommended (1 unit technically possible)

Min Order

14" x 17"

Max Print Area

$3-8 per unit at 100+ quantity

Cost Range

Care Instructions

Machine wash inside-out
Tumble dry on low
Extremely durable — minimal care needed

99.2% Quality Pass Rate

2-5 days Production Time

200+ Countries Shipped

5M+ Items Fulfilled

Screen Print FAQ

Common questions about Screen Printing (Silk Screen)

While technically possible to screen print 1 unit, the per-color screen setup cost ($25-35/screen) makes it uneconomical for small orders. We recommend 25+ units minimum for screen printing to be cost-effective. For 1-24 units, DTG or DTF is more practical.