When you live and work in Wisconsin, you get used to extreme weather. Summers bring high humidity and long days in the sun. Winters bring snow, ice, and below-zero temperatures. If you run a business, school, or nonprofit here, you already know how tough the environment can be on clothing and outdoor gear. So when you order custom apparel, you want it to look good—and stay that way through every season.
That’s where quality screen printing comes in. But not all printing holds up the same. Whether you’re outfitting a sports team, selling spirit wear, or ordering employee uniforms, the right materials and printing process make all the difference.
This guide from Four Seasons Screen Printing in Marathon City, WI breaks down what you should look for when choosing screen printing in Wisconsin weather—and how to make sure your prints last through the coldest snowstorms and the hottest summer festivals.
Let’s start with the obvious: Wisconsin has four true seasons. Each one brings a different challenge for printed apparel.
If your print can survive all four Wisconsin seasons, it can survive just about anything.
When people think about screen printing, they often picture the design itself—but the durability really comes down to a few key details.
1. The Ink TypeNot all inks are created equal. The most common inks used in screen printing are plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks.
For Wisconsin weather, plastisol tends to hold up the best, especially for outdoor workwear or spirit wear that gets washed and worn often.
2. The FabricA good print needs a good foundation. Cotton is soft and comfortable, but it can shrink and fade over time. Polyester holds color well and dries quickly, but it doesn’t always absorb ink evenly.
A cotton-poly blend often strikes the right balance for Wisconsin customers—durable, flexible, and easy to print on. For moisture-wicking apparel (like team uniforms or work shirts), special ink formulas help the print bond to synthetic fibers so the design doesn’t peel or crack.
3. The Curing ProcessThe curing step is what locks the ink into the fabric. If the ink isn’t heated to the right temperature, it won’t bond properly—and the print will fade fast.
At Four Seasons Screen Printing, every design is cured with professional-grade equipment and tested for durability. That’s part of why our prints hold up through both Marathon City winters and Wausau summers.
When you’re comparing screen printing in Wisconsin, pay attention to more than just price. Low-cost prints often skip steps in the process—cheap ink, improper curing, or poor fabric quality. The result? Cracked designs, peeling edges, and faded colors within a few washes.
Here’s a quick test: if the print feels stiff or rubbery, it might not have been cured properly. If it looks dull after one wash, the ink quality probably wasn’t great.
A reliable print shop should be able to show you samples, explain the materials they use, and recommend the best ink for your specific use—whether that’s outdoor staff shirts, student merch, or promotional giveaways.
Many local businesses and schools in the Marathon City and Wausau area also use embroidery services for jackets, polos, and hats. Embroidery can handle tough weather even better than ink, since the design is stitched directly into the fabric.
Promotional products—like water bottles, bags, or blankets— go through heavy use. Working with one local company for both screen printing and promotional gear helps keep your branding consistent and your quality controlled.
At Four Seasons Screen Printing, everything is produced locally, and the same attention to detail applies across every service—from custom shirts to embroidered hats to online stores for teams and nonprofits.
When you choose screen printing in Wisconsin, you’re not just buying a product—you’re supporting a local business that understands the community and the climate.
Four Seasons Screen Printing has been family-owned for over 20 years. We’ve tested our products through two decades of Wisconsin winters and summers. We know what lasts, and we stand behind our work.
Local shops also offer faster turnaround times and better communication. If something isn’t right, you can talk directly to the team that made your order. That kind of reliability is hard to find online.
Even the best screen printing needs a little care. Here’s how to keep your shirts and hoodies looking sharp all year:
With a little care, your prints can last for years, even with heavy use.
If you’re looking for screen printing in Wisconsin that actually holds up through real weather, Four Seasons Screen Printing in Marathon City is ready to help. Whether you’re ordering for a business, a sports team, or a community event, our team will guide you to the best materials and print options for your needs.
Get in touch today to request a quote or learn more about our screen printing, embroidery, and promotional product services—serving customers across Marathon City, Wausau, and surrounding Wisconsin communities.
