Introduction: Why Screen Printing Matters
Silk screen printing has been a trusted method for decorating shirts for decades. Whether you dream of launching your own clothing line, want to personalise workwear, or hope to start a small printing business, screen printing offers durability, vibrant colours, and endless creativity.
This guide walks you through every stage of screen printing shirts — from preparing your artwork to curing your final design — so you can begin confidently.
Preparing Your Artwork for Screen Printing
High-quality artwork is the foundation of a professional print. If you start with a blurry or low-resolution image, the results on fabric will also suffer.
Vector-based designs (created in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Procreate) work best.
Each colour in your artwork requires its own screen. For multi-colour designs, make sure your artwork is colour-separated.
Clean, simple designs are easier for beginners — but with practice, you can take on more detailed, multi-layered projects.
💡 Pro tip: Many successful small printing shops outsource artwork digitising to professionals for the best results.
Creating Film Positives
After separating your artwork by colour, the next step is to print film positives. These transparent sheets, printed with black ink, block light during the exposure process.
You can:
Print films at home with a compatible printer.
Purchase them from a local print shop.
Hand-draw simple designs directly onto film for practice.
Exposing the Image onto a Screen
Screens are wooden or aluminium frames stretched with polyester mesh. To prepare them:
Clean and degrease the mesh to remove dust and oils.
Apply a light-sensitive emulsion in a darkroom environment.
Place the film positive on the coated screen and expose it to UV light.
The light hardens the emulsion except where the design blocks it. Rinse the screen with water, and the open mesh will reveal your stencil.
Setting Up the Screen Printing Press
Before printing, mount your screen onto a press. Beginner presses can be:
1-colour, 1-station presses for small-scale projects.
Multi-arm presses for professional shops producing larger volumes or detailed, multi-colour work.
Secure your screens with tape to avoid ink leaks. If printing multiple colours, use registration marks to align each screen properly. A quick test print ensures everything lines up.
Printing Your Shirts
Now comes the fun part:
Apply pallet adhesive to keep your shirt stable.
Load the shirt onto the platen.
Place ink on the screen and flood it evenly.
Pull or push the squeegee across the mesh to transfer ink.
For multi-colour designs, print each layer separately. On dark garments, a white underbase is often needed, with a flash dryer curing each layer before applying the next.
Curing and Finishing the Print
Curing ensures your design lasts through washes and wear.
Use a conveyor dryer or flash dryer to heat the ink to its proper curing temperature (check ink instructions).
Test with a stretch test or wash test to confirm durability.
Without proper curing, ink will crack or fade — a common mistake for new printers.
Conclusion: Ready to Start a Small Printing Business?
Silk screen printing combines creativity and craftsmanship, making it one of the most rewarding ways to personalise garments. With the right setup and practice, you can easily turn this skill into a side hustle or even start a small printing business from home.
👉 Want expert artwork preparation for your screen printing projects? Contact us at info@ezstitchdigitizing.com or message us directly on our Facebook page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much does it cost to start a small printing business with screen printing?
Starting costs vary depending on equipment. A beginner kit can be under $500, while a professional press setup may exceed $5,000. You’ll also need inks, screens, emulsions, and curing equipment.
Q2: Can I screen print shirts at home?
Yes! With a simple press, a few screens, and a darkroom setup for emulsions, you can start screen printing in a spare room or garage. Many successful businesses begin at home before expanding.
Q3: What fabrics work best for screen printing?
100% cotton shirts deliver the most reliable results, but blends (cotton/poly) also work. For performance fabrics, you may need specialty inks or additives to prevent dye migration.
Q4: How long do screen-printed designs last?
When cured properly, prints can last as long as the garment itself. High-quality inks and correct curing temperatures are essential for wash-resistant designs.
Q5: Is screen printing better than heat transfer vinyl (HTV)?
Screen printing is more durable and cost-effective for large runs, while HTV is easier for small, custom orders. Many small printing businesses use both methods depending on the job.
