Placing a custom t-shirt order can be a cakewalk if you know what you need to discuss ahead of time. For many first-time customers, figuring out the particulars of their custom t-shirt order can be a little daunting. But then, the good news is it doesn’t have to be a painful process. In fact, you can place your custom t-shirt order like a pro when you know the top ten things you need to ask or discuss. That said, let’s go over those ten crucial items you should talk about with your t-shirt and screenprinting company to ensure that your order is everything you hoped it would be.
It’s not too surprising that turnaround times vary depending on your requested quantity, desired look, the complexity of your design, availability of colors, etc. Nevertheless, most jobs can be completed in approximately 4 to 7 business days. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. For the most part, even larger orders can be completed in a week or so.
Still, if you’re looking for your t-shirts sooner rather than later, you may want to discuss the particulars involved and whether or not requesting a rush order would make a difference. Note that typically, express or rush turnarounds will cost you a few extra bucks.
Another important thing to go over with your t-shirt screenprinting company is if there’s a minimum order requirement or quantity. Usually, t-shirt screenprinting does come with a minimum order quantity. This is often because the screen needs to be set up, and other complex screenprinting processes are necessary to create the same design multiple times. You’ll generally find that most companies have a minimum quantity of 20 or so shirts for screenprinting, while other garment printing methods may only require half as much.
Since screenprinting is often the most common process or method used to create custom shirts, you’ll often find that there are additional charges or setup costs. When working with a screenprinting company, you should absolutely be made aware of any add-on fees or other expenses upfront. If you do choose a different method of garment printing, you’re less likely to see add-on fees.
With that said, there’s still a possibility for add-on or extra costs if there are adjustments or modifications made during the printing process. For instance, changes to the artwork or design tweaks may result in an upcharge. Other fees to inquire about include handling fees, color change costs, custom color fees, taxes, etc.
While you’re designing your custom shirts, one of the very first things you should go over with your printer is the maximum print dimensions for the particular printing method you’ve selected. Commonly, direct to garment printing and screenprinting have a maximum dimensions requirement of 12.5 x 14.5” (350mm wide x 450mm high). Here, the good news is that practically, all printers go over the dimensions, and let you know upfront that most designs can’t go over or be too close to your shirt’s seams/hems.
However, if you do have a rather large design, you should discuss if your printer can use oversized screens and other printing methods to accommodate for the size of your designs or logo. You should also be apprised of the available placement options for your graphics.
Moreover, while you’re on the subject of your design or logo, it’s highly recommended that you discuss any available artwork or design services. This will allow you to get a feel for your printer’s artwork abilities, and determine if you need to hire outside services or work with your in-house designers to complete the overall look for your t-shirts.
It’s also important to go over the different prices of said services if you decide to move forward with artwork services. Note that some printers charge an hourly rate when they work on your file or design, while others may charge a flat rate for specific adjustments, reviews, and enhancements.
Additionally, when dealing with digital file types, you’ll find that most custom t-shirt printers will accept most file types. That said, for screenprinting, you should supply your printer with decent size and high-resolution digital file (300 dpi).
If you’re interested in other printing methods, you should inquire about the necessary size, type, resolution, and if you need a vector image. In general, Thrive Screenprinting accepts, .ai, .psd, and .pdf files.
It’s important to discuss possible color matching and available screenprinting inks thoroughly. For instance, if you’ve chosen direct to garment printing for your custom shirts, you should be mindful of the fact that you may encounter issues when it comes to exact color matching. However, if you decide to have your shirts customized via screenprinting, you’ll be glad to know that the various Pantone colors and inks available for screenprinting are plenty.
What’s more, pretty much every color of ink for screenprinting has a complimentary color or shade. Screenprinting inks are also available for plastisol, foil, flock, gel, high-density, and metallic ink printing. If you need assistance figuring out the best ink for your order, go to https://thrivescreenprinting.com/wholesale-screen-printing/ for more information.
Besides going over dimensions, fees, and available services, you should also check to see if your printer is going to provide you with visual proof of some kind. If not, ask for a sample shirt or a mockup, so that you know exactly what your t-shirts are going to look like.
That said, visual proofs and samples may cost additional, especially if you have multiple designs you’re considering, or you’ve placed multiple orders. Here at Thrive Screenprinting, we strive to provide you with top-notch garments and t-shirts. As a result, a sample shirt or basic mockup will likely be offered free of charge.
Once you’ve gone over all the particulars of your order and design, then pricing and delivery costs should be addressed. Typically, an estimate or a quote will be given initially, and additional expenses may be added on as you get further along in the process.
In terms of delivery costs, your printer should be able to give you an overview of your options (FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL, etc.) and a fairly exact idea of the cost of delivery or at least a semi-accurate quote. However, if you’re working with a local printer, you may want to save yourself some money and time by requesting to pick up your order when it’s ready.
Something else to bring up during negotiations are the recommended care instructions for your garments or shirts. If you’re going to have your custom t-shirts screen printed, then there are a few common care tips to keep in mind. For example, it’s highly recommended that you wash screen printed garments and shirts inside out. You should also wash such items with similar fabrics and mild detergent.
High-quality shirts that have a screen printed design or logo can be machine-washed in cool water and on a gentle cycle; otherwise, you should hand-wash these garments when possible. A few notable don’ts when it comes to care instructions include using bleach, dry-cleaning screen printed items or garments, using fabric softener, and ironing or using steam.
Other pertinent items you may want to go over with your screen printer could involve the available shirt brands, the cost of finishing services, the design’s lifespan, whether you can bring your own shirts or not, or even the difference between cotton blends (50/50 and 100 percent cotton fabrics).
Moreover, if you’re environmentally conscious and want to know about your printer’s eco-friendly options for shirts and inks, feel free to add that to your lists of questions. Ultimately, you should ask about whatever you need or want to know about your custom t-shirt order. Remember, there’s no reason to be shy when it comes to getting exactly what you want in a custom t-shirt.
Clearly, these are just a few pertinent items you should discuss with your screenprinting company. If you’re looking for an experienced and knowledgeable custom t-shirt printer who can answer all your questions and address the above-mentioned concerns, you should contact Thrive Screenprinting. We understand that placing a custom t-shirt order involves a lot of work, and ultimately, we’re here to help. If you’d like to get started on your order, give us a call today.
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