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How To Make Screen Print Shirts
April 23, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Materials used in screen printing

Screen printing is a popular method of printing designs on t-shirts, hats, bags, and other textiles. It is a cost-effective and efficient way to create custom apparel. Screen printing can be used to create high-quality and long-lasting prints on a wide variety of fabrics. But can you do it on your own? And what is the true value of a professional screen printing team? To help answer some of these questions, below, we discuss the steps involved in making screen print shirts, as offered by Four Seasons Screen Printing and let you in on some of our industry secrets—so you can learn all about the real value of profession screen printing.

Step 1: Design

The first step in making screen print shirts is to create a design. This can be done by hand or with the help of design software. The design should be created in black and white, with no shades of grey. This is because the design will be transferred onto a mesh screen, and each color will require a separate screen.

Step 2: Screen preparation

The next step is to prepare the screens. Each color in the design will require a separate screen. The screens are coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, which is then exposed to UV light using a film positive of the design. The areas of the emulsion that are exposed to light will harden, while the unexposed areas will remain soft and wash away with water.

Step 3: Printing

Once the screens are prepared, the printing process can begin. The fabric is placed on a printing press, and the screens are aligned to ensure the design is printed in the correct location. Ink is then added to the screen, and a squeegee is used to pull the ink across the screen and onto the fabric. This process is repeated for each color in the design, with the fabric passing through the printing press after each color is added.

Step 4: Curing

After the final color is printed, the shirt must be cured to ensure the ink is set and will not wash out. Curing can be done using a heat press or a conveyor dryer. The temperature and time required for curing will depend on the ink and fabric being used.

Step 5: Quality control

The final step in making screen print shirts is quality control. The shirts should be inspected for any defects, such as smudges, misplaced designs, or inconsistent ink coverage. Any shirts that do not meet the quality standards should be discarded.

Why work with a professional screen printing business?

Although screen printing on your own is an option, working with a professional team is always the best option—both in terms of quality and for the sake of time. At Four Seasons Screen Printing, we’re a high-quality screen printing and embroidery company offering a lightning-fast turnaround time. We use state-of-the-art equipment and high-quality materials to create custom apparel that is sure to impress. Our team boasts a wide range of products, including t-shirts, hats, bags, and more. We can work with you to create a custom design or use your existing design to create high-quality screen print shirts.

In addition to screen printing, we also offer embroidery services. Embroidery is another popular method of customizing apparel, and it offers a more durable and professional-looking result than screen printing. Embroidery involves stitching the design onto the fabric using a needle and thread. This process is more time-consuming than screen printing, but it is ideal for creating custom hats, jackets, and other items that require a more permanent design.

Get in touch with Four Seasons Screen Printing for dedicated screen printing services!

In conclusion, screen printing is a cost-effective and efficient way to create custom apparel. It involves creating a design, preparing screens, printing the design onto the fabric, curing the ink, and performing quality control. Four Seasons Screen Printing is a high-quality screen printing and embroidery company that offers a lightning-fast turnaround time. They can work with you to create a custom design or use your existing design to create high-quality screen print shirts. If you are looking for custom apparel for your business, organization, or event, Four Seasons Screen Printing is the company to choose.