Custom Screen Printing
FAQ
Screenprint
How
Long Does it Take?
Screen printed jobs are completed in approximately 10-15
working days from start to finish. If you need a rush, please ask. We will let
you know when your job can be completed.
How
About Rush Orders?
Call or email us! We'll work out what is, and isn't possible
for what you need and let you know just how much it will cost.
Is
There a Minimum Order?
Our minimum is only 12 pieces. You may mix garments to meet
the minimums, if you need less than 12, please let us know, we will try to accommodate
your requirements.
What is
the cost?
Call or email us! We'll get you a custom quote for your
order. For screen printing the cost depends on the number of colors used on the
garment, the number of imprint locations (front & back), the type of garment
and the product. For initial orders, you may also have art charges and pay an
initial screen setup fee per color printed.
What is the Setup Fee?
This is a one-time charge which covers making the necessary
camera shots and/or outputting your files and preparing the initial screens for
printing. We use one screen per color. In most cases the prices include film
for our files. For complex artwork there may be additional film charges.
What
kind of artwork do I provide for screen printing?
Artwork Information:
You can provide your logo or design artwork in a variety of
ways from a printed image, even a sketch. The difference is how much it will
cost and how long it will take to be ready to produce your garments. Sketched
artwork takes the longest and is the most expensive method. Most of the time
artwork is provided in a computer file format as either Finished Artwork, or
Rough Artwork, or in a Printed Format. If you don't have design, call us, we
can design it for you.
Finished Artwork Types:
- Encapsulated Postscript (.eps)
- ADOBE Illustrator (.ai)
- CorelDRAW (.cdr)
- Macromedia Freehand (.fh#)
Rough Artwork Types:
- ADOBE Acrobat (.pdf)
- ADOBE Photoshop (.psd)
- Graphics Interchange Format (.gif)
- Joint Photgraphics Experts Group (.jpeg)
- Tagged Image File Format (.tif)
- Windows Bitmap (.bmp)
Printed Format Types:
- Paper or Film
- Image at specified size (max 8.5" x 14")
- Right Reading, Positive
- Minimum Resolution 360 dpi
- Composites Only (no separated or keyline)
Can I See It Before Everything is Printed?
Sample "color proofs" are available upon request.
If you would like to see a "press proof" (first garment off the
press) this can be arranged also. However, keep in mind that color proofs and
press proofs take time and will increase the time your order takes to complete.
What
Colors Can I Use?
We have a selection of stock colors or you can reference to
thousands of Pantone colors which are commonly used in the graphics industry..
If you require an exact match, that can be arranged also.
How do
I reorder?
Just email or call us and we will be happy to help you. We keep your films on file and have all your information regarding ink colors, type of garment, and quantity on file for an exact repeat. For repeat garments it's easy. Choosing a different garment and colors is often just about as easy. Just let us know what you need.
Embroidery
Why
would I choose embroidery?
Embroidered garments are usually perceived as more luxurious
and durable than other forms of garment decorating. Additionally, in smaller
quantities, embroidered garments are often less expensive to produce and take
less time to obtain. Finally, many people simply prefer embroidery to other
decorating options because of its rich, embossed look and feel.
Is
there an order minimum?
That's one of our great advantages. For many items there is
no minimum! For some items the minimum can be as low as 6 or 12 items. And you
don't pay a premium to order just one or two garments, you get the same price
regardless of the quantity.
How
long does it take to get embroidered garments?
Embroidery orders normally take 2-3 weeks (10-15 business
days), depending upon the garment selection and availability, and whether your
logo has been previously digitized or not.
Suppose I need it faster than the normal embroidery order?
Call or email us! We'll work out what is, and isn't possible
for what you need and let you know just how much it will cost.
How
much does the embroidery cost?
You don't pay premiums for small quantities with us! That is
a real benefit because you don't have to batch requests, or wait to order. You
can order as you need items. All the garments in the business section are
priced including embroidery (that is the garment price includes a standard
embroidery charge for most common designs.) The business section is a password
protected registered customer area. If you are interested in the business
section, please use our New Customer Form or just email or call us.
There can be additional cost depending upon the complexity
of your design or logo. Certain applications of embroidery, such as a full
back, may also require additional charges. If you've never had your design
digitized, there will be a digitizing charge based upon the size, number of
stitches and complexity of your design. Simply email or fax your design to us
and we'll give you a custom estimate of the cost to digitize and the stitch
count for decoration costs.
To what
does digitizing my design refer?
Digitizing is a a one-time charge for programming your
design into a standard embroidery machine language that most embroidery
machines can read and use to reproduce your design on a garment. Our digitizing
is industry standard and can be used over in the future as long as you do not
change your design. The digitized program instructs the embroidery equipment on
the thread color, type, size and location of the stitch on the garment. In some
special cases it can be necessary to know the garment and fabric prior to
digitizing in order to insure the optimum result. Digitizing your design is a
very important step in achieving a high-quality finished product. Digitizing a
design is not simply conversion from a picture to a digital format but is a
specialized graphic design process. Many logos have elements (such as very fine
lines, or highly detailed images) that cannot be fully represented in an
embroidered image. The digitizing process includes graphically determining how
to best represent the logo in an embroidered form that works well in the
embroidery process while still maintaining the integrity of the logo design.
That's one of the reasons that we offer two different levels of digitizing --
Quality Digitizing and Expert Digitizing. For many, Quality Digitizing is more
than adequate, but if your logo is especially complicated, or has elements that
require modification to reproduce, we may suggest using our Expert Digitizing
services and explain to you why you should do so.
How
much does digitizing cost?
As we've said, it is based upon the stitch count, size and
complexity of your logo or design. Email or fax your design to us and we'll
give you a custom estimate of the cost to digitize and the stitch count for
decoration costs.
What
about monogramming a garment?
A variety of standard fonts are available for lettering
using simple text and punctuation. Our retail priced garments include
monogramming for 2 lines up to one inch high in the price. Our business
customers who wish to embroider a logo and also add a monogram to a garment can
do so for an additional charge.
What
kind of artwork do I provide for embroidery?
Artwork Information:
You can provide your logo or design artwork in a variety of
ways from a printed image, even a sketch to a ready-to-use digitized embroidery
file. The difference is how much it will cost and how long it will take to be
ready to produce your garments. Sketched artwork takes the longest and is the
most expensive method while a digitized embroidery file can be used
immediately. Most of the time artwork is provided in a computer file format as
either Finished Artwork, or Rough Artwork, or in a Printed Format. If you don't
have design, call us, we can design it for you.
Finished Artwork Types:
- Encapsulated Postscript (.eps)
- ADOBE Illustrator (.ai)
- CorelDRAW (.cdr)
- Macromedia Freehand (.fh#)
Rough Artwork Types:
- ADOBE Acrobat (.pdf)
- ADOBE Photoshop (.psd)
- Graphics Interchange Format (.gif)
- Joint Photgraphics Experts Group (.jpeg)
- Tagged Image File Format (.tif)
- Windows Bitmap (.bmp)
Printed Format Types:
- Paper or Film
- Image at specified size (max 8.5" x 14")
- Right Reading, Positive
- Minimum Resolution 360 dpi
- Composites Only (no separated or keyline)
- Colors Specified
What
about color choice?
Let us help you with that. In many cases the best choice for
the final embroidered design color(s) is not necessarily the standard design
color(s). On many garments a contrasting or tonal color choice might appear far
more attractive and cost less than the standard design color(s). For example,
if your logo design contains a specific shade of green, it might well clash
excessively with a shirt in a different shade of green so that a single color
embroidered design in a contrasting or tonal (tone-on-tone) color works better.
What
about the garment I choose - does that make a difference?
It can and often does make a difference. We already
mentioned that garment color and logo color(s) are an important consideration.
Type of fabric and fabric weight can be equally as important. For example, very
light-weight fabrics do not do well with embroidered designs that are very
complex with high stitch counts. Special fabrics like silk, satin or heavy
fabric like canvas may require modification as well -- we'll help you with all
this and more.
Can I
see a finished embroidered piece before my garments are done?
Sample sew outs are available upon request. If you would
like your final logo sewn on a sample this can be arranged also. However, keep
in mind that sew-outs and sample garments take time and will increase the time
your order takes to complete.
How
about additional orders?
For repeat garments it's easy. We already have all the
information available to do an exact repeat of a garment. Just email or call us
and we will be happy to help you. Choosing a different garment and colors is
often just about as easy. Just let us know what you need.
Ordering
How do I get started?
The best way to
start is to first determine the artwork you want embroidered on your garment.
If you know what art you want embroidered then you will have a better idea of
what garments to choose. Look for garment colors that will look appealing with
your image on it. If your image is mostly light colored, don't choose a light
colored garment because the image will not contrast with the light colored
garment.
You can browse
our online Apparel Catalog to find some popular styles of clothing items. If
you don't know exactly what your artwork will be you can choose a set of
garments you like and then design the artwork around those colors.
What is the minimum order for embroidery?
Our normal
minimum order is 12 pieces. However, call us to see what we can do for
you! A 12 piece order is limited to
either flat goods (shirts, jackets, fleece, etc..) or hats. Flat goods and hats
can not be combined to make up a minimum order.
What is a digitizing fee or tape fee?
Embroidery
artwork is very different from any other kind of artwork for decoration. The
digitizer must interpret the image into stitches and adjust the sewing file to
sew properly and efficiently.* This fee is quoted upon request. We need to see
the image before we can price it fairly.
General
digitizing fees range from a $35 to $100 based on complexity and stitch count.
You may email us your image for a quote.
How long will it take to complete my
order?
Embroidery
orders take approximately 10 to 15 working days, start to finish, from the day
you place your order. Placing an order includes approving an invoice via fax or
email, and placing your deposit if required.
What if I need a rush order?
Our staff will
do everything possible to complete your order without a rush charge. Our
customer service representative will determine if rush charges are applicable.
Please notify your customer service representative if you need a rush order.
How much will all this cost?
The more
garments you order the more money you save per item. Extra charges are incurred
by larger images, additional locations, or thread color changes during
production. Our customer service representatives will be happy to give you a
quote over the phone or through email.
When do I pay?
New orders
require a 50% deposit when the order is placed and the balance due on pickup or
delivery. We accept cash, check, or credit card. We also will work on a
purchase order with a signature approved copy. Credit terms may be established
with approval from our accounting department.
Do you ship orders out or do I have to
pick it up?
We can ship your
order anywhere in the United States via UPS. Pick up is also available during
business hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5 pm CST or by appointment.