20 Myths About Screen Printing

Top 20 Myths

Myth 1: Screen printing is too expensive

Although it can sometimes feel that screen printing is too expensive because of bulk order requirements, many screen printing companies have the ability to mix and match bulk orders with a variety of garments rather than just one product. Talk to your screen printing company to print t-shirts, jackets, hats, bags, aprons or whatever fits your needs.

Myth 2: You can only screen print on t-shirts

Many screen printing and embroidering companies use state of the art printing machines to be able to screen print custom designs and logos on virtually any textile and product imaginable. Everything from aprons to drink cozies you can match the right product with your company’s identity. The screen printing company can help you find the right products for printing.

Myth 3: Screen Printing Companies don’t offer samples

When purchasing online, it can sometimes feel scary because you can’t trust whether the product you receive will look like it does online or if it will come back cheap.

Fortunately, many online and local screen printing companies do provide samples for you to review before you make a purchase. Designers will work hard with you to make sure that your designs are accurately depicted the way you want on what you want. Even if they don’t provide real samples, they will still make sure you approve before they do a mass production print.

Myth 4: Local Screen printing is too expensive

With access to a variety of products in-house as well as online resources, many local companies can usually help you find a better deal and reduce the cost of shipping with direct purchasing and discount prices. Not only that, by working with a local company, you can usually find specific garments or articles of clothing that fit your companies needs better.

Myth 5: Screen printing is only for bulk orders

Many screen printing companies can usually do small runs of t-shirts and other garments very easily. They will also work with you to make it affordable and fit your budget or make recommendations to fit your needs.

If a company requires bulk order, many will allow you to mix and match your orders to fit your promotional item needs best. Include aprons, hats, rally towels, or clothing accessories with your logo and design.

Myth 6: Screen printing requires extra fees and hidden costs

Most companies both online and offline will provide you with straight up costs structures for your screen printing needs. You will, almost every time, get a price discount when you purchase in large volumes instead of spending more money per unit.

Myth 7: Screen Printed Banners and Tabletops must be dry cleaned only

With the advancement in water-based inks durability, your screen-printed banners and tabletop decors can be washed in a standard washer and dryer without fading or losing their quality.

Myth 8: You must buy multiple sizes of banners and tablecloths to fit a variety of needs

By working with a local screen printing company, usually, you can get recommendations for different styles of banners and tablecloths that better fit your individual needs.

With access to both in-house and online clothing and accessory libraries, many companies can find the right size and shape of tablecloth for you that can handle a variety of situations instead of making a new one for each event.

Myth 9: Screen printing can crack or fade

The current tools and water-based paints used in screen printing have become better at preventing cracking or fading. Many companies can guarantee a deep soak of ink into the cloth that will prevent fading over long periods of time. The placement of the ink into the fibers also helps to prevent cracking because it is not an overlay that placed on top of the clothing.

Myth 10: I only have low res artwork, so I can’t get a good print design

Most screen printing companies have designers that can help modify or improve your designs to make sure they are screen print ready. They will help you make it look good for screen printing, select the right dimensions for the product you are printing on and will make sure to create a final high-res image that you approve before it is printed.

Myth 11: The Entire order will look the same and not proportional to the clothing size

Again, working with a designer, you can make sure that everything is proportional to the size and shape of the products you are screen printing on. Because your order may include t-shirts and clothing accessories, the screen printing company will help to determine right size and proportions for you.

Myth 12: Screen Printing order will take too long to arrive for event

Screen Printing companies are good at working with your timeline. They will accommodate as best they can and will recommend alternatives that will better meet your timeline needs. Not only that, with the current printing technology available in most shops, their turnaround time from design to final print can be as quick as 24-48 hours depending on availability and complexity of the print.

Myth 13: The finished product will look different than what was submitted

Before anything is printed, local screen printing companies (and some online shops) will work with you to get your approval for the final product before it is finished. If you are not satisfied, many companies will offer refunds or discounts to make sure that you get the product that you want.

Myth 14: Screen printing inks are not environmentally friendly

A lot of screen printing companies are adopting “plastisol” ink that is biodegradable and much better for the environment. You can sometimes request this for your clothing at a slightly higher price if it is not already in use.

Myth 15: The clothing options are cheap or of low quality

Screen printing companies usually have access to a wide variety of clothing brands. Whatever type of shirt that you like, you can usually work with your screen printing company to find a specific brand or style that will fit your company’s needs. Not only that, local stores can have a lot of selection of brands in-house as well as access to even more brands and items online.

Myth 16: Screen printing can only be done online with no human interaction

Local screen printing companies and screen printing companies online are usually staffed with customer service and design staff that can work with you to design and print to your exact specifications and expectations. They can also work with you to mix and match orders to get what you need when you need it.

Myth 17: Screen printing has a low ROI

Screen printing is a great way to promote your business. Brand recognition, especially on clothing items and accessories both at your company’s location and local events around the area, can help people associate your company with their buying habits.

Myth 18: Screen printing is only good for uniforms

Because of the access to so many clothing items and accessories, as well as a variety of clothing brands, screen printed goods are a great giveaway to your customers. What would be better than giving a book bag with your logo to a customer as a free giveaway? Your brand, as well as the person talking about your free product, is a great promotion and an easy way to get your name out there.

Myth 19: Screen printing is only good for giveaways

Similarly, companies can use screen printing on clothing for uniforms to help build morale in the office and make sure that your employees are highly visible and professional. From the service industry to the construction industry, screen printing can be applied to polo’s, personal protective equipment and whatever accessories are needed to get the job done.

Myth 20: My doodle or drawing can’t be screen printed

With teams of professional designers, screen printing companies can help you take your doodle or drawing from idea to professional quality screen printed design. They can offer advice and information to help you make the design work as well as provide the right colors and proportions to make it look great on whatever clothing item or accessory you add it to.

Hopefully, debunking these 20 myths about screen printing will help aid you in your decision to use it for your business. Remember, screen printing is an affordable and easy way to increase brand recognition, provide some good customer relations, and help you show off your business name and designs.

Planning a screen printing project and need a quote? We would love to hear from you.