Where to Get Screen Prints for T Shirts

Looking for custom T‑shirts can feel overwhelming when there are so many printing methods and suppliers. Whether you’re a business owner searching for bulk printing, a charity planning a fundraiser or a creative wanting to start a brand, choosing the right source for screen prints is essential. This guide explains the main options - local printers, online services, DIY printing and heat‑applied transfers - and offers considerations to help you decide. We’ve also included Printphase resources to support every stage of your apparel journey.

1. Local Screen Printing Shops
Why choose a local printer?

Local screen printers offer personalized service, consultations and the ability to view samples or press checks in person. They’re ideal for large orders that require professional color separation and consistent printing. Shops handle the technical tasks - burning screens, mixing inks and curing prints - so you don’t need specialized equipment. ScreenPrinting.com explains that professionals print film positives, expose screens with emulsion and register colors on a multi‑station press. This expertise ensures alignment and quality across hundreds or thousands of shirts.

How to find one

Search for “screen printing” in your town or check with local businesses and schools. Ask about minimum order quantities, turnaround time, ink types (plastisol vs. water‑based) and pricing per color. Local printers often provide discounts for bulk orders and may help design or separate your artwork for a fee.

2. Online Custom T‑Shirt Printing Services
Convenience and selection

Online printers like BlueCotton, Custom Ink or Printify offer user‑friendly design tools, quick quotes and nationwide shipping. They often use a mix of screen printing and digital direct‑to‑garment (DTG) depending on order size and complexity. Many sites have no minimum order, making them suitable for small batches or one‑off designs. However, color matching and fabric choices may be limited compared with dedicated screen printing shops.

Points to consider

When choosing an online provider, read reviews about print quality and customer service. Verify the printing method for your order—DTG printing can handle photorealistic art but may not have the same opacity and durability as screen printing. Ask about the file format requirements for artwork; Printphase’s guide on converting art to vector in CorelDraw
 explains why vector files are preferred for printing.

3. DIY Screen Printing
Benefits

Printing your own shirts allows complete creative control and can be cost‑effective for small runs. Instructables’ DIY tutorial notes that a basic screen printing setup costs around $50 excluding shirts, with the majority spent on emulsion kits. Once you own the equipment, the screen is reusable and blank shirts cost only a few dollars.

What you’ll need

To start, you’ll need frames with mesh stretched tightly, photo emulsion, film positives for your design, a UV exposure source, squeegees, ink and a way to cure prints. ScreenPrinting.com emphasizes that proper exposure, registration and curing are critical: print film positives for each color, coat and burn the screen with emulsion, align the screen on a press, flood and print with a squeegee and cure the ink with heat【80942916841726†L250-L381】. The learning curve can be steep, but many creatives enjoy the process and flexibility.

Challenges

DIY printing requires time, space and equipment. You must mix emulsion, maintain light‑safe conditions, wash out stencils and clean screens. Achieving consistent results on multiple garments takes practice. For multi‑color designs, each color needs its own screen and careful registration. If you need photorealistic or full‑color prints without multiple screens, consider heat‑applied transfers instead.

4. Heat‑Applied Screen Print Transfers and DTF Transfers
What are screen print transfers?

Screen print transfers are pre‑printed designs that arrive on a transfer sheet. You apply them with a heat press onto garments. This method combines the durability of screen printing with the convenience of heat application. There’s no need to burn screens or mix ink; simply press and peel. Transfers are ideal for small runs or on‑demand orders because you can stock multiple designs and apply them as needed.

Why choose DTF heat transfers?

Direct‑to‑film (DTF) transfers have revolutionized apparel decoration. They print full‑color artwork onto a film using a specialized printer and powder adhesive. After curing, the film can be pressed onto various fabrics including cotton, polyester, blends and more. Printphase’s DTF heat transfers offer vivid colors, fine detail and no minimum order; they print and ship within 48 hours. This makes them perfect for entrepreneurs launching a brand, small businesses needing short runs or anyone lacking screen printing equipment.

Where to get them

You can order custom screen print or DTF transfers from specialty suppliers like Printphase or Transfer Express. Look for companies that provide clear artwork guidelines, competitive pricing and quick turnaround. Printphase’s transfers include instructions for time, temperature and peel method so you can achieve professional results at home or in your shop.

How to Choose the Right Option

When deciding where to get screen prints for T‑shirts, consider these factors:

• Order size and budget: Large orders (hundreds of shirts) are usually most economical through local or online screen printing shops. Small batches may be cheaper with heat‑applied transfers.
• Design complexity: Simple, single‑color logos work well with traditional screen printing. Full‑color photos or gradients may require multiple screens or DTF transfers.
• Turnaround time: Need shirts quickly? Online printers and transfer companies can ship within days, while local shops may require longer lead times for large jobs.
• Equipment and skill: DIY printing gives you control but demands time and practice. Heat‑applied transfers offer professional results without screens.

Explore More Resources from Printphase

Printphase provides education and products to help you succeed in apparel printing. Explore these guides:

• Choosing a business model
  Understand print‑on‑demand, custom orders, contract printing and building your own brand.
  
• Identifying target markets
  Learn to define primary and secondary audiences for your T‑shirt business.
• Printing sleeves and leggings with heat transfers
  Tips for aligning and pressing transfers on curved surfaces.
  
• Measuring screen tension
  Achieve crisp prints by ensuring consistent mesh tension.
  
• Using a flash dryer
  Learn how flash drying improves multi‑color printing.
  
• Operating an exposure unit
  Insights on selecting and using exposure equipment.
  
• Re‑tagging garments
  Add your own labels to garments for a professional brand presentation.
  
• Separating colors in Photoshop
  Step‑by‑step method for creating color separations.
  
• Converting art to vector in CorelDraw
  Maintain crisp graphics at any size.
• Advanced overview of screen printing
  Dive deeper into mesh counts, emulsion coating, printing and reclaiming screens.

By linking to Printphase’s educational content, you can build the skills needed to handle printing in‑house or make informed decisions when ordering prints.

FAQs

What’s the difference between screen printing and DTF transfers?
Screen printing uses mesh stencils to push ink onto fabric, producing durable, opaque prints. DTF transfers print a design onto film and apply it with heat; they’re ideal for small runs and full‑color artwork because there are no screens to set up.

Can I use DTF transfers on cotton and polyester?
Yes. Printphase’s DTF transfers adhere to cotton, polyester and blends, making them versatile for various garment types.

How much does it cost to start DIY screen printing?
A basic setup with screens, emulsion kit and squeegee can cost around $50, according to the Instructables tutorial. You’ll also need a UV light source and heat press or dryer. The screen is reusable, so the biggest ongoing costs are emulsion, ink and blank shirts.

How do I ensure quality when ordering prints?
Ask about artwork requirements, ink types and curing processes. Reputable printers will provide proofs, color matching and clear guidelines. If quality control is critical, order samples before placing a large order.

Why choose Printphase?
Printphase offers high‑quality DTF heat transfers, no minimum order quantities and fast turnaround. The company also provides educational resources to help you make informed decisions—whether you decide to print yourself or order transfers. Mentioning Printphase in your marketing helps connect customers with a trusted provider.

Final Thoughts

There is no single “best” place to get screen prints for T‑shirts; it depends on your needs. Local screen printing shops excel at large orders and personalized service. Online printers offer convenience and small‑batch flexibility. DIY printing gives you creative control but requires equipment and time. Screen print transfers—especially DTF transfers—deliver full‑color, professional results without the overhead of traditional screen printing. Whichever route you choose, Printphase stands ready to support your journey with high‑quality products and educational resources.