What Happens Between Your Approval and the Press?

Matt Tenbush on May 13, 2026

What Happens Between Your Approval and the Press?

A lot more than most people realize.

From artwork prep and color separation to screen setup and quality checks, every order goes through a detailed production process before ink ever touches a shirt.

Most people think the process works like this:

Design approved → hit print → shirts appear.

In reality, there’s an entire production workflow that happens between customer approval and the first shirt coming off the press.

And honestly?

That process is what separates average merch from great merch.

Step 1: Artwork Preparation

Before printing begins, artwork must be prepared specifically for production.

That can include:

  • Cleaning up files
  • Adjusting line weights
  • Verifying print size and placement
  • Checking resolution and color accuracy

Not every file that looks good on a screen is ready for a press.

This stage ensures your artwork will actually print cleanly and consistently on the fabric of the garment you chose.

Step 2: Color Separations

For screen printing, each color typically requires its own screen.

That means artwork must be separated into individual layers before production begins.

This process determines:

  • Ink order
  • Underbases
  • Highlight colors
  • Trapping and registration

The better the separations, the cleaner and more accurate the final print.

Step 3: Screen Creation & Press Setup

Once artwork is separated, screens are coated, exposed, washed out, and prepared for production.

Then the press setup begins:

  • Screens loaded onto press
  • Ink colors mixed
  • Registration aligned
  • Test prints checked

This setup process is one of the biggest reasons quantity affects pricing in screen printing.

A lot of work happens before the first finished print exists.

Step 4: Quality Control

Before full production begins, we check:

  • Placement
  • Ink consistency
  • Color accuracy
  • Registration alignment
  • Overall print quality

Because the goal isn’t just to print the order.

It’s to print it correctly.

The Final Product

A great print isn’t luck.

It’s process.

The work that happens before production is what creates:

  • Cleaner prints
  • Better durability
  • Accurate colors
  • Consistent quality

And ultimately…

A final product your brand can be proud of.

Experience Matters

Anyone can put ink on a shirt.

But understanding the process behind great apparel production is what makes the difference.

That’s why we focus so heavily on communication, proofing, artwork prep, and production systems before anything hits the press.

Because the best results start long before production begins.

Got Questions About Your Next Project?

Need help choosing garments, preparing artwork, or figuring out the best print method?

That’s what we’re here for.

Austin Screen Printing & Austin Embroidery

Proudly serving Austin since 1975

Thoughtful apparel. Built for real life.