Finding a screen printer and having your shirts printed is a task that should be straight forward and simple if you are dealing with the right company. There are all sorts of great screen printers online as well as in your hometown. Here are some guidelines to help find a printer that will do a great job for you.
1. Ask how long they've been in business. Screen printing truly is a knack and there are many things to learn about the business and printing. The more printing experience a company has, the happier you will be as a customer.
2. Find out their turnaround times. Make sure the business will be able to meet your deadline.
3. Ask what type of printing they do. Companies sometimes use different methods depending on the item being printed. For shirt orders, I'd highly recommend screen printing because it it the best quality and longest lasting type of print.
3. Screen printing is a competitive business and prices will vary. Most companies will have a setup fee for each color in your design because a screen needs to be created for each color in each print location. If a company does not have screen setup fees, they are most likely built into the cost of the shirt. Make sure to choose a company with competitive prices and a good selection of shirts to pick from.
Next…
Once you've found a printer, it's time to get your project rolling. The first thing you'll want to do is talk with the printer about the quantity you need, the shirt type you'd like, and the designs you are using. You'll want to to make sure you have a good quality logo so that the print turns out clean and crisp. Printers will ask for what is called a vector file. Vector files can be blown up or shrunk to any size without any distortion and help create a fantastic looking print.
You'll want to determine the number of print locations. Will you be doing a logo on the front and a design on the back? How many colors will your print be? Both of these factors will play a role in the cost of your final shirt.
Choosing a shirt is a fun and important process. There are hundreds of choices. One of the biggest suppliers for screen printers is SanMar. You can see all the products they have to offer and it is a great place to start looking for the shirt that best fits your needs. Let me give you a run down of a few basic decisions you'll get to make.
Shirt type: 100% Cotton, 50/50 Blend, or 100% Polyester
The majority of shirts printed are either 100% Cotton or a blend of some sort. Everyone seems to have an opinion on their favorite type of shirt. In my experience, I have been happier with the 50/50 blend shirt. I like the blend of cotton and polyester because the shirt is a little lighter, less rigid, and seems more comfortable than the  basic 100% cotton shirts. I wear the blends most often and even enjoy exercising in them because they are so light and comfortable. However, if you are able to spend a little more, many of the nicer quality 100% cotton shirts are very nice as well. They are called ring-spun cotton shirts. This ring-spun cotton shirt can be extremely soft, comfortable, and an all around great shirt. The 100% polyester shirts are excellent because of their sweat-wicking properties. They are very popular for sporting events such as marathons and races.
Well, you now have some of the basics that will help you with your next order. There are hundreds of great printers out there that will do an excellent job for you.
