Screen-printing setup: colors, screens and reorder costs
Screen printing needs preparation before the first shirt is printed. The number of ink colors and print locations affects that work, even when the logo looks simple.
What happens before printing?
For a typical spot-color job, the artwork is separated into ink layers. Each layer needs its own prepared screen stencil. On the press, those screens are aligned so the colors land together correctly; this alignment is called registration. Test prints help check the result before the run.
Setup pays for preparation associated with your design and print locations. It is separate from the garment and the ink-printing work on each piece. Artwork cleanup or redesign may also be required and is quoted separately.
Why colors and locations change the setup
Our screen setup is $35 per color, per location. Two colors on the front normally mean two screens for that location. Adding a one-color back print adds a separate screen setup, even when it uses a color already on the front.
A dark garment may need a white underbase: an ink layer beneath the visible colors to help them show clearly. When needed, that underbase counts as a color in our quote. The printed colors cannot always be counted simply by looking at the uploaded logo.
A setup example for 24 shirts
Suppose the approved job needs two ink screens on the front and one on the back, with no additional underbase. Three screens at $35 each make $105 in setup for the run. Across 24 shirts, that is about $4.38 per shirt in setup alone. Garments and per-item printing are extra.
If production instead needs an additional white-underbase screen on the front, setup becomes $140 in this example. Required flash curing adds $0.50 per item per affected location under our current policy. The quote confirms the actual screens, underbase and flash requirements; these examples are not complete shirt prices.
Why a matching run can cost less per piece
The setup is spread over the matching pieces in the run. A larger order can reduce that setup share per shirt, although garment prices, size surcharges, decoration and delivery still matter. Our screen-printing minimum is 24 matching pieces.
For smaller runs or detailed full-color artwork, ask us to compare DTF with screen printing on the same garment. Mixed garment colors, changed artwork or extra locations can change the production plan; list them in your brief rather than assuming one setup covers everything.
Does a reorder avoid setup?
Reusing approved artwork can save artwork preparation, but screens still need to be available and the press needs setting up. Do not assume screen setup is free on a reorder. We confirm the applicable charges when reviewing the repeat job.
Send your previous order reference, quantity, garment colors and any changes. A new print size, location or color separation can change the setup. The approved quote is the record of what is included.
Your order checklist
- Confirm exact garment colors and size quantities.
- List every print location and final design size.
- Ask whether an underbase or flash curing is needed.
- Compare the complete total, including setup, garments, printing, tax and delivery.
Put it into practice
Sources & further reading
- ScreenPrinting.com: color separations
- ScreenPrinting.com: printing an underbase
- Mile High Custom Prints: current pricing policy
Prepared for Mile High Custom Prints customers using the references above and our ordering policies. Manufacturer guidance describes its own materials and processes. Your confirmed product specification, proof and supplied care instructions govern your order.