Screen Printing

Custom T-Shirt & Apparel Screen Printing

If you're planning a custom t-shirt order and wondering if screen printing is the right method for your design, you're in the right place. Screen printing has been a go-to option for decades thanks to its durability and vibrant colour results. Whether you're ordering tees for a business, band, school, or event, screen printing might be exactly what you need.

Let’s walk through what screen printing is, its pros and cons, how it compares to other methods like DTG and DTF, and what you need to know before submitting your artwork.

Or if you think you are ready to dig in, you can go straight to our apparel catalogue and start design now. Or email us and we can help you through the process.

High detailed screen print on blended t-shirt at Hardboiled Inc in Toronto
Left chest screen print for small business in Toronto
Bright yellow screen print on blue triblend t-shirt for brewery in Canada

How Screen Printing Works

The screen printing process involves several steps to ensure vibrant, long-lasting prints on apparel:

  1. Prepare the Artwork and Films: separate the artwork by colour and print each in black on transparent films.
  2. Create the Screens: screens are coated in photo-senstive emulsion and the films are burned on to the screens using UV light.
  3. Setup & Print: The screens are set up on press, each colour is aligned. Ink is mixed and pushed through each screen using a squeegee.
  4. Cure the Print: After printing, the garment is passed through a high-temperature dryer to cure the ink and ensure durability.

 

The result is a vibrant, durable print that holds up well through repeated washing and wear, making screen printing one of the most reliable methods for custom apparel.

Why Choose Screen Printing

Screen printing remains the most widely used apparel decoration method because of its durability and cost effectiveness at higher quantities.

Vibrant Colours

Screen printing inks produce bold, opaque colours that stand out on both light and dark garments.

Long-Lasting Prints

The ink cures to the fabric and is built to last throuh wash after wash.

Cost-Effective for Bulk Orders

Once screens are created, printing large quantities is fast and economical.

Works on Various Apparel Types

Great for t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and more.

When to Choose Screen Printing

Screen printing will work for a variety of custom printed orders. It's a classic print style that is durable and cost effective. Outlined below are the criteria that's best for screen printed orders.

Best for orders:

  • large orders with the same design
  • has a design that has solid colours or a bold design or logo
  • that need the most durable print possible

Examples: Ordering t-shirts or apparel for a school spirit event, company uniforms, or band merch, screen printing offers high impact and long-lasting quality.

Other methods include DTG printing, DTF printing, and embroidery, each of which may be better suited for specific projects.

Comparing Print Methods: Screen Printing, DTG, DTF

This table below outlines the different print methods for custom printing. The best print method for your custom order is determined by your design, quantity, and garment style. If you have additional questions, please email us and we'll help you decide which method is best.

Feature

Screen Printing

DTG

DTF

Best For

Bulk, bold designs

Small runs, detailed prints

Versatile fabrics, vibrant colours

Colour Complexity

Up to 6 Spot Colours

Full Colour CMYK

Full Colour CMYK

Fabric Types

Cotton & Blends

Cotton Only

Cotton, polyester, blends

Durability

Very High

Medium

High

Cost for small runs

Higher

Lower

Lower

Industries We Print For

Hardboiled Inc. produces screen printed apparel for a wide range of industries across Toronto.

Bands & Musicians

Custom band merch including tour shirts, hoodies, and limited edition apparel.

Breweries & Restaurants

Branded merchandise and staff apparel for breweries, bars, and restaurants

Corporate Apparel

Company branded shirts, event apparel, and promotional clothing.

Schools & Clubs

Custom apparel for student organizations, clubs, and school events.

Sports Teams

Practice shirts, team apparel, and fan merchandise.

Each of these industries often combines apparel with promotional products and accessories to create full merchandise collections.

Artwork Guidelines for Screen Printing

To get the best results with screen printing, your artwork needs to be set up just right. Outlined below are things to keep in mind when preparing artwork.

File Types:

  • Vector files (.AI, .EPS, .PDF) are best
  • High-resolution PNGs (300 DPI minimum) if vector isn't available

Colour Setup:

  • Each color in your design will be printed separately, so keep it simple
  • Avoid gradients and shadows unless using halftones (we can help with that!)

Font Tips:

  • Convert all text to outlines
  • Or include the font files used

Need help? We can assist with separating colors and prepping your design for screen printing! Email us your artwork and we'll let you know if it's set up right.

cotton tote bag great for custom screen printing at Hardboiled Inc in Toronto

Popular Apparel Styles and Items for Screen Printing

T-Shirts

T-Shirts are a great option for custom screen printing. T-Shirts are versitile and come in many fits, styles, materials, and colours. They are a great option that works year round whether you are looking for school spirit wear, selling merch at your restuarant or for your band, everyone wants a custom t-shirt to support their community. Take a look at our best selling t-shirts below.

  • Heavyweight Cotton Tee Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    American Apparel Heavyweight Cotton Tee 1301

  • Men's Crew Neck Tee Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    CSW 24/7 Men's Crew Neck Tee S05610

  • Softstyle® T-Shirt Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Gildan Softstyle® T-Shirt 64000

  • 6 oz. Heavyweight Tee Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Bella + Canvas 6 oz. Heavyweight Tee 3010

  • Deluxe T-Shirt Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Lane Seven Deluxe T-Shirt LS15000

  • Unisex Super Heavy Oversized Tee Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    + HST

    Just Like Hero Unisex Super Heavy Oversized Tee HERO-300

  • Max Heavyweight T-Shirt Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Shaka Wear Max Heavyweight T-Shirt SHMHSS

  • Deluxe CVC T-Shirt Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Lane Seven Deluxe CVC T-Shirt LS1500C

  • Heavyweight T-Shirt Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Lane Seven Heavyweight T-Shirt LS15001

  • Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Comfort Colors Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt 1717

Sweatshirts - Hoodies, Crewnecks, and Quarter-Zips

Sweatshirts are a popular style for custom orders. Pullover hoodies for your sports team or school, crewnecks for small business merch, or quarter-zips for corporate wear, sweatshirts are a great way to showcase your brand or team. Check out our popular styles below or choose from our full catalogue of sweatshirts.

  • Adult Pullover Hoodie Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    CSW 24/7 Adult Pullover Hoodie L00550

  • Deluxe 20oz Pullover Hoodie Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Redwood Classics Deluxe 20oz Pullover Hoodie W2003

  • Heavy Blend™ Hooded Sweatshirt Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Gildan Heavy Blend™ Hooded Sweatshirt 18500

  • Unisex Avenue Hooded Sweatshirt Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Independent Trading Co. Unisex Avenue Hooded Sweatshirt IND280SL

  • Unisex Premium Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Lane Seven Unisex Premium Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt LS14001

  • Adult 1/4 Zip Pullover Sweatshirt Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    CSW 24/7 Adult 1/4 Zip Pullover Sweatshirt L00545

  • Garment-Dyed Sweatshirt Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Comfort Colors Garment-Dyed Sweatshirt 1566

  • Polar 20oz Crewneck Sweatshirt Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Redwood Classics Polar 20oz Crewneck Sweatshirt W2001

  • Adult Crewneck Pullover Sweatshirt Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    CSW 24/7 Adult Crewneck Pullover Sweatshirt L00540

  • Heavy Blend™ Crewneck Sweatshirt Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Gildan Heavy Blend™ Crewneck Sweatshirt 18000

  • Unisex Premium Crewneck Sweatshirt Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Lane Seven Unisex Premium Crewneck Sweatshirt LS14004

  • Legend - Premium Heavyweight Cross-Grain Crewneck Sweatshirt Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Independent Trading Co. Legend - Premium Heavyweight Cross-Grain Crewneck Sweatshirt IND5000C

Cotton Tote Bags

Cotton Tote Bags are the go-to custom product for small businesses. Screen printed with logo or brand, they offer great brand visibibility on-the-go. Check out our popular styles below or choose from our full catalogue tote bags.

  • Cotton Promo Tote Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    + HST

    Cotton Promo Tote B9206

  • Promotional Tote Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Q-Tees Promotional Tote Q800

  • Cotton Canvas Super Tote Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    + HST

    Cotton Canvas Super Tote B9213

  • 25L Jumbo Tote Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Q-Tees 25L Jumbo Tote Q600

  • Lightweight Cotton Gusseted Tote Bag Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    Direct to Film from as low as
    + HST

    Lightweight Cotton Gusseted Tote Bag e6065

  • BELLEVUE COTTON TOTE Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    + HST

    BELLEVUE COTTON TOTE E8915

  • Cotton Canvas Tote 12oz Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    + HST

    Cotton Canvas Tote 12oz E2000

  • 12oz Cotton Canvas Large Tote Bag Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    + HST

    12oz Cotton Canvas Large Tote Bag E6001

  • Recycled Cotton Budget Tote Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    + HST

    Recycled Cotton Budget Tote B8610

  • Cotton 4 Bottle Wine Tote - B3795 Thumbnail
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    + HST

    Cotton 4 Bottle Wine Tote - B3795 B3795

  • Organic Rope Tote Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    + HST

    Organic Rope Tote E7099

  • VALKAZ COTTON TOTE WITH ZIPPER Thumbnail
    Direct To Garment / Direct to Film Printing from as low as
    Embroidery from as low as
    Screen Printing from as low as
    + HST

    VALKAZ COTTON TOTE WITH ZIPPER E2010

Screen Printing Types: Standard, Vintage, Specialty Inks

Standard Screen Printing

Standard screen printing is the classic style of screen printing. Using plastisol ink, the print is opaque and solid. Works on most materials.

Highlights:

  • Opaque: Standard printing is opaque which means we can achieve bright, vibrant colours
  • Pantone matching: We can mix and print in any colour that you need.
  • Durable: It will not wear away from multiple washes.
  • Detail: Achieves high level of detail; thin lines, halftone patterns, and small, delicate text.
  • Print feel: Printing a light or bright colour on a dark coloured shirt may feel thicker than printing a dark colour on a light garment.
  • White Base: A white underlayer or base may be needed for bright colours on dark shirt

Vintage Style Screen Printing

Vintage style screen printing is a fun and unique choice for your custom order. It gives a vintage look like the shirt has been previouly washed and worn.

Highlights:

  • Soft-hand feel: The inks are thinned out so that the end result is soft to the touch and translucent.
  • Vintage look: This soft print can be used to give your shirts a distinctive pre-worn or vintage look.
  • Durable: Vintage style printing results in thinner and softer ink that can continue to fade after washing.
  • Muted Colours: When printing light or bright colours on a dark shirt, the colour and texture of the fabric will show through the print muting the colour.
  • No colour matching: Due to reduced opacity the colours are less accurate and we can't colour match to a Pantone or specific colour, especially on darker garments.
  • Repeat orders: The same opaqueness or colour cannot be guaranteed on reprint orders unless a sample print is provided.

Specialty Screen Printing: Metallic, Neon, Glow-in-the-Dark Ink

Specialty inks can add a unique style to you custom screen printed order. Metallic prints, neon, or glow-in-the-dark designs can stand out from a standard screen print.

Highlights:

  • Unique Aesthetic: Gives your design an added visual touch.
  • Detail: Detailed designs are difficult with specialty inks that require a base or with metallic prints that contain reflective particles which get caught in screens with high detail.
  • Cost: Speicaly inks are an added cost.
  • Durability:  Prints may be more affected by washing processes than standard ink.
  • Heavy feel: Specialty inks are thicker and require an underlay which can result in a thicker feeling print

Start Your Screen Printing Project

Looking for custom screen printing in Toronto?

Hardboiled Inc. can help you produce high-quality custom apparel for your business, brand, or event.

Get a quote

Other Useful Pages

Link to request a quote page
Link to t-shirt catalogue for custom printing
Link to DTG DTF Printing information
Link to FAQ page about custom t-shirt printing
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