Bulk Screen Printing for Custom Apparel
The workhorse of garment decoration—durable, cost-effective at volume, and the go-to for bold, simple designs on bulk orders.
Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh screen onto the garment, one color at a time. It's fast, durable, and the most cost-effective method once you're past the setup—making it the standard for bulk orders of tees, polos, and uniforms.
Best For
- ✓Orders of 50+ pieces with 1–4 colors
- ✓Bold graphics, logos, and text
- ✓Garments that need to survive repeated washing
- ✓Consistent reorders of the same design
Not Ideal For
- ✗Highly detailed photographic designs
- ✗Very small runs (under 20–30 pieces)
- ✗Designs with more than 6–8 colors
Volume Notes
Setup is per color, so unit cost drops significantly as quantity rises. Most bulk orders of 100+ pieces are cheaper in screen printing than DTG.
Durability
Properly cured screen prints are extremely wash-resistant. They hold up well to commercial laundering, making them a strong choice for uniforms and workwear.
Compare Methods
Common Questions
How many colors can you screen print?
We typically run jobs from 1 to 6 colors. More colors mean higher setup costs, so we'll recommend the most efficient approach for your design.
Is screen printing durable enough for uniforms?
Yes. Properly cured screen prints are among the most wash-resistant decoration methods—ideal for uniforms and workwear that see frequent laundering.
When should I choose screen printing over DTG?
For orders above roughly 50 pieces with simple, bold designs, screen printing is usually more cost-effective and more durable. DTG wins for detailed, multi-color designs at lower volumes.