Screen Printing T-Shirts: 6 Best Tips and Steps

Screen printing is one of the most popular ways to put a design on T-shirts, especially for events, campaigns, teams and businesses. This guide explains screen printing T-shirts from start to finish: how the process works, what affects the cost, how to prepare your artwork, and how to care for the finished garments.

Pely Brand Kenya offers screen printing for customers across Kenya, from our offices and workshop in Nairobi. There is no minimum order, and every job is quoted individually. Request a quote.

Screen printing T-shirts is popular because it gives bold, durable prints, especially on larger orders. Here is how screen printing T-shirts works, step by step.

How screen printing works

Artwork is prepared. The design is separated into colours.
A screen is made for each colour. The stencil blocks ink everywhere except the design.
The garment is positioned. It is held flat so the print lands in the right spot.
Ink is pushed through the screen. A squeegee presses the ink onto the fabric, one colour at a time.
The print is cured. Heat sets the ink so it lasts through washing.
The garments are checked and packed.

When screen printing is the right choice

You need many T-shirts with the same design.
Your design uses a limited number of solid colours.
You want a durable, professional print.
You are ordering for an event, campaign, team or company.

For very small runs, or designs with many colours or photographic detail, heat press printing may be a better fit. Our guide to embroidery vs screen printing vs heat press compares them side by side.

What affects the cost of screen printed T-shirts

Factor	How it affects the cost
Quantity	Set-up is a fixed effort, so the cost per T-shirt usually falls as the quantity rises
Number of colours	Each colour needs its own screen and print pass
Print size and placement	Larger prints and extra positions, such as front and back, add to the work
Garment	The blank T-shirt or garment affects the total
Artwork	Clean artwork is quicker to prepare; redrawing a low-quality image takes more time
Deadline	Tight deadlines can affect scheduling

Ask for the garment and the printing quoted as separate lines so you can compare quotes fairly.

How to prepare your artwork

Send a vector file (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF) if you have one.
If you only have an image, send the largest, clearest version available.
Keep the number of colours as low as your design allows.
Tell us the print size and where it goes on the garment.
Include the colours of the garments you want printed.

Placement ideas

Left chest for a small logo
Centre chest or full front for a larger design
Back print for a name, slogan or team message
Sleeve for a small logo or number

Caring for screen printed T-shirts

Turn the garment inside out before washing.
Wash in cool or warm water and avoid harsh bleach.
Avoid ironing directly on the print.
Follow the care label on the garment.

Common mistakes to avoid

Sending a low-resolution image.
Using more colours than the design needs.
Not confirming the print size and placement.
Comparing quotes without checking what is included.
Leaving the order to the last minute.

Is screen printing T-shirts right for your order?

Screen printing T-shirts works best when you have a clear design, a limited number of colours and a reasonable quantity. If you are comparing options, remember that screen printing T-shirts is not the only choice: heat press suits small runs and detailed designs. When you ask for a quote on screen printing T-shirts, send your artwork, quantity, garment colours and deadline so the price is accurate. To learn more about the technique, see this article on screen printing.

Screen printing T-shirts: frequently asked questions

How does screen printing on T-shirts work?

A stencil (screen) is made for each colour in your design. Ink is pushed through the screen onto the garment, one colour at a time, and then cured so it lasts through washing.

What affects the price of screen printed T-shirts?

The quantity, the number of colours, the print size and placement, the garment, how complex the artwork is and your deadline. Because each job differs, Pely Brand Kenya quotes per job.

Is screen printing cheaper in bulk?

Usually, yes. The set-up for each colour is a fixed effort, so the cost per T-shirt tends to fall as quantity rises. For very small runs, heat press printing can be a better fit.

What artwork file is best for screen printing?

A vector file (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF) is ideal. If you only have an image, send the largest, clearest version and ask the printer whether it can be redrawn. Remember that each colour in the design adds to the set-up.

Is there a minimum order for screen printing?

At Pely Brand Kenya there is no minimum order. For small quantities we may suggest heat press printing if it suits your design better.

How do I care for screen printed T-shirts?

Turn the garment inside out, wash in cool or warm water, avoid harsh bleach, and iron on the reverse side or avoid ironing directly on the print. Following the care label helps the print last.

Can you print on garments I supply?

Often yes, but the fabric and garment type matter for the best result. Contact us with details of the garments and we will advise.

Ready to print? Request a quote or WhatsApp us on +254 725 123278 with your design, quantity and deadline. We reply within 2 hours.

Screen Printing T-Shirts: How It Works, Cost Factors and Care