Textile screen printing
Screen printing deposits ink through a screen, colour by colour, directly into the fibres of the textile. It's the traditional method of printing t-shirts: vivid colours, pleasant feel, and the lowest price per piece once quantities increase.
Request a free quote Talk to the workshop
Ideal for
- Event, festival, race or club T-shirts
- Merchandise for bands, artists and brands
- Designs in 1 to 4 solid colours
- Tote bags in large quantities
Less suitable for
- Only a few pieces (DTF is more economical)
- Complex photos and gradients
- Different names on each item (prefer flex)
Not sure about the technique? We advise you for free in the quote.
How it works in the workshop
Colour separation
Your design is split into one layer per colour.
The screens
A screen (a frame stretched with a fine mesh) is prepared for each colour.
The printing
The ink is squeegeed through the screen, colour by colour.
The drying
The ink is fixed with heat to withstand washing.
The principle in a diagram
- Screen A frame stretched with a very fine mesh (the weave).
- Stencil The mesh is blocked everywhere except where the ink must pass: this is the shape of the logo.
- Squeegee It pushes the ink through the open areas of the screen.
- Ink A thick, opaque ink, in the exact shade (Pantone).
- Textile on the palette The ink is deposited on the garment, then fixed by heat.
- One screen per colour Each colour has its own screen: that is why screen printing becomes advantageous in series.
Images: screen printing
Examples of branding with this technique, on items available in our catalogue.
Example of brandingSporty kids t-shirt 140gVoir le produit 
Example of brandingPerfect men polo 180gVoir le produit 
Example of brandingRegent t-shirt 150gVoir le produit
“Example of marking”: demonstration photo supplied by the product manufacturer, with a fictitious logo.
When is screen printing the right choice?
Screen printing requires preparation: one screen per colour, then registration on the press. This work is the same for 30 or 300 T-shirts. That is why it becomes the most economical once quantities increase, with the same design across the run.
For a few pieces or a very colourful design, DTF printing remains more advantageous. We recommend the best option in the quote, according to your quantity.
What makes the price of screen printing
- The number of colours: each colour requires a screen and a pass.
- The quantity: the larger the run, the lower the unit price.
- The locations: front, back, sleeve… each location is a print.
- The colour of the garment: on dark textiles, a white underbase is often necessary.
All the details in what affects the price of a personalised T-shirt.
For which projects?
Festivals, charity runs, school fetes, youth movements, band merchandising or brand collections: screen printing is ideal for t-shirts and tote bags produced in series. For scouts and associations, also read customised textiles for scouts.
Screen-print transfer, an alternative
The design can also be screen printed onto transfer paper and then pressed onto the garment. This method suits jackets and technical textiles. See the single-colour transfer and the multicolour transfer.
Models ready to personalise
A selection from our catalogue, ready for your logo.
Sublima t-shirt sublimation
from 4,70 € excl. VAT
Regent v v-neck t-shirt
from 4,48 € excl. VAT
Imperial v women t-shirt
from 7,58 € excl. VAT
Nino vintage sports t-shirt
from 7,62 € excl. VATCompare textile techniques
The right technique depends on your design, the quantity and the material.
| Technique | Quantity | Colours | Finish | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery | From 1 piece | Multiple thread colours | Raised, premium | Polo shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, caps |
| DTF printing | From 1 piece | Unlimited, gradients and photos | Soft, vivid colours | T-shirts, sweatshirts, bags, jackets |
| Flex | From 1 piece | 1 to 2 colours | Smooth, opaque, effects | Jerseys, t-shirts, jackets |
| Screen printing | Medium to large runs | 1 to 4 solid colours | Soft, very durable | T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags |
| Transfer 1 colour | Small to medium runs | 1 colour | Fine, mat, flexible | Jackets, softshells, bags |
| Multicolour transfer | Medium to large runs | 2 to 4 colours | Sharp, faithful | Polos, jackets, sweatshirts |
| Patches | Small to large runs | Multiple thread colours | Raised, patch effect | Uniforms, jackets, bags |
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? See the full FAQ
Our other techniques
A logo, a quantity, a deadline?
Receive your detailed quote in 24 h, with the technique best suited to your project.
Request my quote Compare all techniques