Silk Screen Printing: The Most Common Printing Method for T-Shirts
Silk screen printing is one of the most widely used printing techniques for T-shirts. Almost all T-shirts, especially those used for branding, events, uniforms, and retail fashion, are printed using this method due to its durability, vibrant colors, and cost-effectiveness for bulk production.
Why Is Silk Screen Printing Used for T-Shirts?
1️⃣ Long-Lasting Prints – The ink is absorbed into the fabric and cured with heat, making the design resistant to fading, peeling, and cracking even after multiple washes. 2️⃣ Vibrant and Bold Colors – Silk screen printing allows for rich, opaque colors, even on dark-colored T-shirts. 3️⃣ Ideal for Bulk Orders – The setup process makes it cost-effective for printing hundreds or thousands of T-shirts, which is why it’s commonly used for: ✔Corporate Uniforms ✔Event and Promotional T-Shirts ✔Sports Jerseys ✔Retail and Fashion T-Shirts 4️⃣ Versatile Printing on Different Fabrics – Works well on cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics, making it suitable for almost all T-shirts. 5️⃣ Customizable Designs – Can be used for logos, graphics, text, and branding elements, making it the preferred choice for company uniforms and custom T-shirts.
Is Silk Screen Printing Used for All T-Shirts?
🔹 Mostly Yes! – The majority of printed T-shirts on the market are made using silk screen printing. 🔹 Exceptions: Some high-detail designs or one-off custom prints may use DTG (Direct-to-Garment) or heat transfer methods instead.
Conclusion
Silk screen printing is the go-to method for printing T-shirts due to its high quality, durability, and cost-efficiency. Whether for branding, uniforms, events, or retail, it remains the most commonly used technique in the T-shirt printing industry.
💡TIPS: Almost all T-shirts you see are printed using silk screen printing, especially those with 1-2 color designs, making it the most common and durable printing method.
For silk screen printing, we accept PDF files with vector graphics and AI (Adobe Illustrator) files to ensure the highest print quality. Vector files allow for crisp, scalable designs without losing resolution.
We do not accept PNG or raster images as they are pixel-based and may result in blurry or low-quality prints. If you only have a PNG, we recommend converting it into a vector format before submission.
PDF files with vector graphics and AI (Adobe Illustrator) files to ensure the highest print quality. Vector files allow for crisp, scalable designs without losing resolution.
JPG BMP PNG
JPG, PNG, BMP as they are pixel-based and may result in blurry or low-quality prints. we recommend vector format before submission.
Outline Your Artwork
Please make sure to convert all fonts to outlines before submitting your design to ensures that the text appears correctly. Unconverted fonts may cause unexpected changes to your artwork.
Type Of Silk Screen Printing
Silk screen printing is the most common method for T-shirt printing, with several techniques, each offering unique effects for custom designs. Below are the methods we offer: Below is our silk screen printing guide to guide you the type of silk screen printing
Standard Silk screen Printing
A widely used method that applies a single layer of ink per color, creating bold, vibrant designs with long-lasting durability. Ideal for simple logos and text-based designs.
Water-Based Silk Screen Printing – for light color T-shirt Plastisol Silk Screen Printing – for dark color T-shirt
Neon Color Screen Printing
Uses bright, fluorescent inks that glow under UV light. This method is ideal for promotional events, nightlife apparel, and bold, high-visibility designs. It is a new technique for silk screen printing.
Puff Print Lettering
Uses a heat-reactive ink that expands when cured, resulting in a raised, 3D effect. This method adds texture and depth to lettering and graphics.
Reflective Printing
Uses special ink that reflects light, making designs highly visible in low-light conditions. It’s commonly used for safety wear, sports apparel, and high-visibility branding.
Discharge Printing
Removes the fabric’s original dye and replaces it with a new color, resulting in a soft, natural finish. Best for 100% cotton garments, providing a no-feel print effect.
Distressed and Clear Ink
Distressed printing creates a vintage, worn-out look by partially fading the ink, while clear ink adds a glossy effect without color, enhancing the texture of the design..
Foil Printing
A special technique for silk screen printing T-shirt that applies a metallic foil layer to the design, creating a shiny, reflective finish. It’s ideal for luxury branding and eye-catching designs.
Available in gold, silver, bronze, metallic red, green, blue, check with us for more color
Glitter Printing
Infuses glitter particles into the ink to produce a sparkling, textured finish. It’s perfect for fashion designs, event merchandise, and standout branding.
Printing Size
Choosing the right printing size is crucial for achieving the best design impact on your custom T-shirts. Here are some common print size ideas:
A3 Size: 29cm x 40cm A4 Size: 20cm x 29cm A5 Size: 15cm x 21cm Logo Printing: 10cm x 10cm Sleeve Printing: 8cm x 8cm*
A4 Size Printing
Covers a noticeable portion of the chest or back without being too overwhelming. Dimension: 20cm x 29cm
A3 Size Printing
A standard size for bold logos, graphics, or promotional designs covering most of the chest area. Max Dimension: 29cm x 40cm
A5 Size Printing
Works well for minimalist logos, small emblems, or promotional tags. Dimension 15cm x 21cm
Logo Printing
Ideal for company logos or subtle branding. Commonly used for uniforms and corporate wear. Dimension 10cm x 10cm
Sleeve Printing
Perfect for adding small text, branding, or a stylish touch to T-shirt sleeves. Dimension: 8cm x 8cm*
