Frequently Asked Questions, Screen Printing
- I want T-shirts!
- How do I get custom screen printed T-shirts?
- Do you screen print on anything other than T-shirts?
- So why should I use Enjay Printing instead of any other screen printer?
- How much does screen printing cost?
- What is the least expensive custom screen printed T-shirt I can buy?
- Do you offer all-over T-shirt printing?
- What is water-based discharge printing?
- What other kinds of specialty printing do you offer?
- Do you do athletic numbering?
- How do I submit my artwork for screen printing?
- I have an idea for a design. Can you help me create it?
- Can you print a photograph on a T-shirt?
- How many ink colors can you screen print per image?
- Can I get different sizes and colors of T-shirts in my screen printing order?
- What apparel brands do you carry?
- I need T-shirts right away. Can you print them?
- Can you screen print my label on the inside of a garment?
- Can you match Pantone colors with your inks?
- Is screen printing eco-friendly?
Can't find your question? Send it to us, and maybe we'll add it to the list.
Frequently Supplied Answers
Q: I want T-shirts!
A: We know what you mean, but that's not really a question.
Q: How do I get custom screen-printed T-shirts?
A: It's pretty easy, really: Come up with a design (or at least an idea for a design), decide what you want it printed on and consult our screen printing price list to see what your order will cost. After that, just fill out our handy-dandy quote form, and we'll be in touch as soon as possible.
Q: Do you screen print on anything other than T-shirts?
A: Lots of things: Sweatshirts, athletic jerseys, tote bags, baby stuff, etc. Basically, if it's made of fabric and it fits on our press, we'll print on it. We also screen print on flat items, like card stock, posters, coroplast, sheet metal and even the occasional slab of wood.
Q: So why should I use Enjay Printing instead of any other screen printer?
A: Great question. (You really are an astute inquisitor!) Well, for starters:
- No hidden costs. Unlike a lot of screen printers, we won't quote you a price and then tack on all kinds of set up and art prep fees when you pick up your garments. Think it doesn't happen? If you say so...
- Fast production. We ship most orders in 5-7 working days. If it's going to take longer than that, we'll let you know and give you a completion date that you can count on.
- Complete in-house production facilities. You may think that big online screen printing retailer takes your order and produces it in their own facility, but they usually just take your order and then outsource it to a screen printer in your area. So what's so bad about that? Nothing, really, unless you're concerned about little things like price and quality control.
- Water-based and discharge screen printing. It's all the rage with the youngsters. (See below.)
And last but not least: We're a New Jersey-based small business, we're good screen printers and we're nice.
Q: How much does screen printing cost?
A: Probably less than you think. The total cost depends on the type of garment, the number of colors in the artwork and the number of garments being printed. For example, a person ordering 100 Classic Cotton T-shirts with a 1-color print on the front can expect to pay about $5 per shirt.
For more specific pricing information, check out our screen printing price list, fill out our quote form or call us at 201-339-6100.
Q: What is the least expensive custom screen-printed T-shirt I can buy?
A: White T-shirts are usually less expensive than T-shirts of any other color, so our white Classic Cotton T-shirt with a 1-color screen print would be the most cost-effective -- if not the most exciting -- way to fulfill your printing needs.
Q: Do you offer all-over T-shirt printing?
A: We print designs as large as 16" x 20", which is big enough for most projects, but we do not print from seam to seam across the entire garment. A lot of the best all-over printing is done by screen printing on fabric and then cutting and assembling the printed fabric into finished garments.
Q: What is water-based discharge printing?
A: Have you ever been in a department store and felt a bright screen print on a black T-shirt and wondered where the rubbery ink feel had gone? That shirt was probably printed with discharge ink, which is a water-based or hybrid plastisol ink mixed with a chemical bleaching agent. When properly printed and cured, the ink will bleach out the dye in the fabric and replace the dye with whatever pigments have been added to the ink. It's a great option for fashion garments and light fabrics that won't hold up to traditional textile inks, and it's something worth looking into if you're thinking about starting your own apparel line.
Q: What other kinds of specialty printing do you offer?
A: We have glitter inks, shimmer inks -- even inks that glow in the dark. We also carry a variety of heat-applied materials, including metallic foils and a fuzzy, suede-like material called flock. If you're looking to achieve a specific effect, let us know, and we'll see if we can recommend a solution for you.
Q: Do you do athletic numbering?
A: Yes. Names, too.
Q: How do I submit my artwork for screen printing?
A: Please review our artwork guidelines, and then email your artwork to art@enjayprinting.com.
Q: I have an idea for a design. Can you help me create it?
A: We provide up to 30 minutes of complementary art preparation service with every order, depending on the size and nature of the job. This is typically enough time to clean up an existing design, or to assemble a simple design for your business, event or team. However, it is not enough time to recreate complex artwork or to design an original logo from scratch. If you're looking for more complex design work or to accomplish specific branding goals, we can help you for a fee, or you'd be well-served to enlist the services of a full-time graphic designer. It may seem like a superfluous expense, but a well-formed and appropriate logo is one of the cornerstones of an organization's public identity. (That's what we think, anyway.)
Q: Can you print a photograph on a T-shirt?
A: In theory, yes, but due to the complexity and high cost of quality four-color process screen printing, you'd be better off seeking out a supplier with a direct-to-garment printer or doing your own inkjet transfers.
Q: How many ink colors can you screen print per image?
A: Up to 10, but unless you've got deep pockets or you're doing a very high volume of printing, it makes sense to limit your color pallet to the fewest number of colors that will accomplish your design goals.
Q: Can I get different sizes and colors of T-shirts in my screen printing order?
A: Yes, and there's no additional charge as long as the ink colors and the design remain the same.
Q: What apparel brands do you carry?
A: We source screen printable goods from Alternative, American Apparel, Anvil, Augusta, and that's just some of the more popular "A"s. For a better idea of what we sell and what we like, check out our screen printing price list. If you're looking for something specific and can't find it there, send us an email and we'll see if we can track it down for you.
Q: I need T-shirts right away. Can you print them?
A: Possibly, but it depends on our current screen printing production schedule. There may also be a rush fee. Please contact us as soon as possible for more information.
Q: Can you screen print my label on the inside of a garment?
A: Yes. In some cases, we can also remove manufacturer's tags from existing garments. This kind of rebranding is very popular with apparel brands, but be warned: Once you start with your own screen printed label, you'll have a hard time going back to the manufacturer's tags. To make the process as cost-effective as possible, we offer several garments that feature "Tear-Away" labels, which can be removed without sewing. We frequently provide this service on our popular Fitted T.
Q: Can you match Pantone colors with your inks?
A: When it comes to ink, you can either choose one of the many pre-mixed colors we keep in stock, or for a fee, we can custom mix a match to most Pantone (Solid Coated) colors. Keep in mind, however, that Pantone colors were developed for printing on white paper, and modest color variation is possible on textiles -- particularly when printing on dark fabrics.
Q: Is screen printing eco-friendly?
A: Textile inks have been around for a long time and are relatively low-impact compared to other solvent-based industrial inks, but all textile inks contain chemical resins, binders and hardeners that help the ink adhere to fabric. This can create a waste disposal problem, which is compounded by screen printers who use toxic thinners and spirits to clean up after printing. Inevitably, these chemicals end up on rags in the trash or in wastewater in the drain or worse. At Enjay Printing, we only use non-toxic biodegradable screen washes and reclaimers. We also stock a full line of water-based screen printing inks, which are PVC and Phthalate free.