What is screen printing?

Screen Printing is the process of using inks to embellish goods. The artwork is created in a color separated format, stencils are made of each color and reproduced by photosensitive exposure to create each layer of color. Those images are then “burned” into a mesh screen, loaded onto a revolving press and aligned for registration of color and placement on the item. Ink is then added with a squeegee which pushes the ink through the mesh where the image has been stenciled. Once each color is added, the ink is cured through a high temperature drying process.

How does the cost of screen printing compare to embroidery?

Screen printing tends to be a lower cost alternative to embroidery, although there is a break even point depending on amount of colors, size of design and quantity of items.

What is heat tranfer?

Heat transfer or heat pressed design offers another alternative when individual, or multi- colored designs are required but the item quantity is low. Heat transfers can be created similar to screen printing, first applying ink to a release paper, then applying to the garment. Color copier or ink jet transfer paper also allows the application of such items as photos, sketches for unique and small needs. The important factor in heat transfers is the temperature of the press and the pressure applied. Commercial heat presses are developed to adhere the design with the correct pressure and temperature to permanently embed the image into the item surface.

What are recommended item colors for heat transfer?

For full-color or small orders, a heat transfer would be made by laser or ink jet and then applied heat pressured to the item. White and light items are recommended because there may be a film visible where the design has empty space.

Unique one color applications are processed via screen printed transfer release paper and then applied to any colored item. Examples would be individual names, numbers, etc.

What is a minimum order size?

Although there are no minimum order sizes, the smaller the quantity, the higher the price will be per piece.

What are artwork/setup fees?

Artwork can be uploaded to our quote area for review. If artwork editing, touchup or redraw is needed, it is billed at $30 per hour. The preferred artwork is vector based (adobe, corel, true eps format) or actual sized raster (bitmap, jpg, tiff) . Keep in mind that raster images tend to lose clarity when resizing and can be used, but will require artwork editing or touchup.

Setup fees are the cost of the screen preparation, priced per color, per location, per size. Generally, those are $20 each, per order run./p>

What is the order turnaround time?

General turnaround is one week to ten days. Orders requiring less than one week incur a 25% rush charge. Same day delivery is available for certain items. Please contact for pricing information.

What else should I know about screen printing and heat transfer?

Whether screen printing or heat transfer, the item material content and ink used dictates the parameters needed for successful embellishment. Elegant Embroidery will help you make the perfect match of item and process.

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