6 Things Your Screen Printer Needs to Know About Your Shirt Order

So, you realize the time has come to get some shirts made up for your business or event. In fact, you probably should have placed your order a while ago, right? But you've got a million other things to do and you don't need to be going back and forth with your screen printer, trying to make sure your shirts are done right.

Well, don't panic. Here are 6 things to think about before contacting your screen printer so that you can get the best shirts possible with the least amount of fuss.

1. What do you need your shirts for?

• Do you need shirts printed with your business logo for your team members to wear or to give away as promotional items to your customers?

• Are you organizing a race and want shirts for the participants?

• Are you a part of a fundraising event and want to wear or sell t-shirts to raise money and promote your cause?

• Do you need uniforms for a sports team and shirts, hats, and sweatshirts for fans and supporters?

Knowing what you need shirts for helps your printer have an idea of what shirt styles, colors, logo designs, and print locations will work best for you.

2. Are you looking for screen printing, embroidery, or both?

While screen printing and embroidery are both excellent decorating techniques, there are some cases where one is preferred over the other, depending upon what your design looks like and what products you're wanting to decorate: large embroidered designs feel (and usually look) terrible on a nice, soft t-shirt; screen printing on a wool jacket is not the best way to go!

Screen printing gives a crisp, sharp image with a soft feel.

Embroidery offers depth, texture, and a classic look.

One great idea is to use both: get some super comfy screen printed t-shirts and some eye-catching embroidered hats. If this is the direction you're headed, then you'll want a logo design that works great with either method, which leads us to our next question...

3. Do you have a design or logo prepared already or do you need help designing something?

Obviously, the first step to getting shirts you love is making sure your design looks the way you want it to. If you already have artwork in a format your printer can use, you're good to go!

If not, take some time to think about what you really want on your shirts and be able to describe your design idea to your printer. The best screen printers have an eye for what looks good on a variety of shirts and products and are happy to talk with you to help you come up with something that suits your style and prints great.

Your screen printer will use a graphic design program to create your custom design or work with your current logo.

4. What shirt style(s) and color(s) are you looking for?

There are so many styles and colors of shirts out there! Your printer will have an idea of what the most popular styles and brands are and can help streamline the process of selecting just the right one for you.

5. Where do you want your design printed on your shirt? Do you want prints in multiple locations?

For some purposes, a full chest print is the way to go. For others, a small left-chest print with a full back print gets it done. Sleeve print? Right chest? At the base of the neck in the back? It's your shirt - customize it the way you want to!

And don't forget things like personalizations, numbering, sponsor names/logos, etc.

Athletic logo design as a full front print on a soft, tri-blend tee.

Small-ish logo printed on upper back, between shoulder blades.

6. What's your budget?

You already know that you need shirts, so you know that custom shirts are definitely a worthwhile investment. Your printer can work with you to make sure you get the best shirts possible for your money. Lots of things factor in to shirt price -

• price of the shirt style that you've chosen

• number of colors (screen printing) or stitches (embroidery) in your design

• number of print locations (each print location is set up and printed separately, so it costs more for each new location)

• how many shirts you're ordering (it's expensive to decorate one or two shirts, but if the cost is spread out over a larger quantity, the price drops drastically)

Knowing what you're trying to accomplish and how much you're planning to spend, your printer can help you make the right choices along the way so that you're confident your money is spent wisely.

Getting custom shirts printed up is exciting and fun! Choose an experienced printer who has a reputation for being dependable and easy to work with, take a few minutes to think about how you would answer these 6 questions, and get to it! The moment you pull out that fresh, new, eye-catching shirt that was made especially for YOU, you'll be so glad you did!

***Download and print out this handy checklist to make sure you don't miss a thing***

Are you ready to get started? Joe at Jarato Screen Printing & Design is an experienced, professional screen printer who would love to work with you!