When businesses search for how to get the best screen printing, they’re usually looking for both an eye-catching design right off the bat and a durable shirt for years to come. Whether you’re ordering custom apparel for your business, an event, or your brand, a well-made screen printed shirt design should stay vibrant, comfortable, and hanging in your closet long after the first wear.
As an East Bay screen printing company since 1997, we’ve experienced what works, what doesn’t, and what separates standard prints from standout, head-turning apparel. Below are proven, expert-backed tips our team has gathered over the nearly 30 years we’ve been in business. From smart design choices to proper care, these tips will show you how to make a screen printed shirt last longer and stand out as long as possible.
1. Start With A Design That Works Best For Screen Printing
One of the most common misconceptions people have is that your screen printed design will show up the exact same as the digital design. While your screen printed design does stay true to the original design, it requires specific file formats and a screen-ready approach to ensure you get the best screen printing results.
Here are some MVP insider tips when designing your screen printed shirt to help it stand out:
- Use bold, clean lines – Thin lines and tiny details can fill in or disappear over time.
- Limit color count when possible – Fewer colors often means cleaner registration and stronger visual impact. A lower color count in your design usually also correlates to it being a more cost-efficient screen printing job.
- High-contrast colors work best – Designs pop more when ink color clearly contrasts with the shirt fabric.
- Vector artwork is optimal – Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG) produce sharp, crisp edges and scalability.
2. Why Design Placement Matters
Where your design is printed is just as important as the design itself. Placement affects how noticeable your shirt is, how the print wears over time, and how comfortable it feels during regular use.
- Left chest prints are a popular choice for a clean, professional look that work well for everyday wear and tend to experience less friction.
- Full front prints make a bold statement and are great for designs meant to be seen from a distance.
- Full back prints offer a larger canvas for detailed artwork or messaging without being the main focal point of the shirt.
- Sleeve prints are a subtle way to add personality or subtle branding without overwhelming the shirt, and they often hold up well since they’re smaller and less exposed to repeated friction.
Choosing the right placement based on how the shirts will be worn and your intended end use is key to making sure your screen printed shirt stays sharp and eye-catching.
3. Garment Quality Affects Screen Printing Results
Even the best design can’t save a low-quality shirt. Fabric choice directly affects how screen printed shirts look and age over time.
For best screen printing results, look for:
- Ringspun or combed cotton for smoother prints
- Cotton/poly blends for durability and reduced shrinkage
- Consistent fabric color across sizes and batches
At MVP, we carry a wide variety of print-ready apparel brands and gear options to ensure that your designs come out perfect every time.
4. How Proper Curing Makes Screen Printed Shirts Last Longer
- Ensure the design is adhered to the garment
- Prevent cracking, peeling or premature fading
- Ensure wash durability
This is where working with an experienced local screen printing company really pays off. Using the proper curing technique for your screen printed design helps your print stay flexible, vibrant and durable through normal wear and washing.
5. How to Care for Screen Printed Shirts at Home
Once you have your shirts, the way you wash and dry them has a direct impact on how long the print and the shirt itself lasts.
Best practices for caring for screen printed shirts:
- Turn shirts inside out before washing
- Wash in cold water
- Use mild detergent
- Avoid bleach and fabric softeners
- Tumble dry low or hang dry
- Never iron directly on the print
We recommend always checking the custom care label on your apparel before washing to ensure you treat the garment as intended. These precautions can dramatically extend the life of any custom screen printed apparel.
6. How End Use Impacts Screen Printing Design Choices
To truly make a screen printed shirt stand out, consider how and where it will be worn before you finalize your design.
Ask yourself:
- Is this for daily workwear, an office, client-facing event, or school function?
- Is my design for internal use or for brand promotion?
- Will this be lightly worn, or will the design be tested by frequent wear?
- Should the design be subtle or bold?
- Will the design be viewed up close or from a distance?
Strategic placement like left chest, full back, or sleeve prints can elevate your design depending on your end goal for purchasing custom screen printed shirts.
Why Professional Screen Printing Makes a Difference
If you’re researching how to get the best screen printing, we think the biggest factor is who you work with. A local screen printing shop like MVP brings:
- Design and file format guidance
- Ink and proper garment expertise
- Quality control
- Long-lasting results
Final Thoughts
With smart design choices, quality printing, and proper care, your screen printed shirts can look great and last for years – turning your apparel into a long-term asset, not just a one-time giveaway.
If you’re ready to work with a knowledgeable, local screen printing company, MVP’s screen printing experts are happy to help you get it right from the start. Request a free Screen Printing quote today for more information!
