Top 10 Most Searched Screen Printing Questions

Matt Tenbush on April 1, 2026

#1 How much does screen printing cost?

The honest answer: it depends.

Pricing is driven by three main factors:

Quantity
Number of print colors
Number of print locations (front, back, sleeve, etc.)

Screen printing involves setup time — screens must be created for each color in your design. The more shirts you order, the more that setup cost gets distributed across the total quantity.

That’s why you’ll often hear:

More shirts = lower cost per piece.

If you’re looking for the best value per shirt, bulk orders are almost always the smartest move.

#2 What is the minimum order for screen printing?

There are no hard minimums.

If you’re willing to cover the setup costs, we’ll print two shirts.

However, screen printing really becomes cost-effective at higher quantities. In most cases, pricing starts to make strong financial sense around:

36 pieces for screen printing
12 pieces for embroidery

That’s when volume pricing begins working in your favor instead of against you.

#3 How long does screen printing take?

Our standard turnaround time is 10 business days after work order approval.

That includes artwork prep, screen setup, printing, curing, and quality control.

Rush services are available when needed, but the smoothest production happens when projects are planned ahead — especially during busy seasons.

If you have a deadline, communicate it early. A good print shop will help you reverse-engineer the timeline.

#4 What is the difference between screen printing and embroidery?

These are two completely different decoration methods — and each serves a different purpose.

Screen Printing

Ink is pushed through a mesh screen (stencil) onto the garment, one color at a time. Each color requires its own screen.

Best for:

T-shirts
Hoodies
Large graphics
Bold logos
Vibrant color coverage

Embroidery

Thread is stitched directly into the garment using a digitized file.

Best for:

Hats
Polos
Jackets
Corporate apparel
Elevated, premium branding

Screen printing creates impact and color.
Embroidery creates texture and dimension.

Choosing the right method depends on garment type, budget, and brand image.

#5 Does screen printing crack or fade?

High-quality screen printing is extremely durable.

When cracking or fading happens, it’s usually due to:

High heat washing
High heat drying
Improper garment care

Pro tip:

Wash cold
Tumble dry low
Avoid ironing directly over the print

Treat it right, and your print will last for years.

#6 How many colors can you screen print?

Technically, up to eight colors in most standard setups.

But remember:
Each color requires its own screen.

More colors mean:

More setup time
More cost

Fewer colors often result in:

Cleaner designs
Stronger visual impact
Better budget efficiency

Some of the best designs we see are simple and intentional.

#7 What type of shirts are best for screen printing?

The “best” shirt depends on your audience and purpose.

100% Cotton

Prints bright and bold
Classic feel
Great for promotional and retail tees

Cotton/Poly Blends

Softer hand feel
More retail-friendly
Less shrinkage
Slightly more muted print look

If you’re building a retail brand, feel matters.
If you’re outfitting a large event, budget might matter more.

A good print partner will help you balance both.

#8 What artwork file do you need?

The cleaner the file, the cleaner the print.

Ideal formats:

.AI
.EPS
.PDF (vector)

High-resolution PNG or JPG files can sometimes work.

Low-resolution images pulled from the internet usually won’t print well — but this is where a strong art department makes a difference. Designs can often be recreated or refined to ensure production quality.

Garbage in = garbage out.
Clean files = clean prints.

#9 What’s the difference between screen printing and DTG?

This question comes up constantly.

Screen Printing

Ink is pressed through a screen onto fabric.
Best for bulk orders and durable, bold graphics.

DTG (Direct-to-Garment)

A digital printer applies ink directly onto the fabric — similar to printing on paper.

Best for:

Small runs
Highly detailed artwork
Full-color or photo-realistic designs

If you’re ordering hundreds of shirts, screen printing wins on cost.
If you need a handful of complex, full-color prints, DTG may be the better tool.

Right tool. Right job.

#10 How do I design a shirt that people will actually wear?

Easy. Come to Austin Screen Printing and let our sales team, art department, and production pros help you create it.

The difference between a shirt that lives in a drawer and one that gets worn weekly usually comes down to this:

Great shirts happen when you combine:

Strong concepts
Smart garment selection
Clean artwork
Proper print placement
Real production experience

Great shirts are collaborative.

At Austin Screen Printing, we’ve seen thousands of successful projects. We know what people actually wear — not just what looks good on a digital mockup.

If it feels like retail merch instead of a giveaway shirt, you’re on the right track.

Bring us your idea — even if it’s scribbled on a napkin — and we’ll help turn it into something people reach for again and again.

Final Thoughts

Ordering custom apparel shouldn’t feel complicated.

When you understand pricing, production, decoration methods, and garment selection, you make better decisions — and you get better results.

If you have questions about screen printing, embroidery, artwork setup, or selecting the right garment for your next project, start the conversation early.

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