At a Glance:
Silkscreen printing transfers ink through a prepared mesh screen onto fabric, one colour at a time. It is often suitable for corporate T-shirts, event apparel and uniforms when the same design is needed across a larger quantity. The best method depends on order volume, artwork detail, number of colours and garment material.
You may have heard of the phase “Silk Screen Printing”, but what does it means exactly? In the most simplest of terms, imagine this: you create a paper cut-out of a picture, for example, an outline of a cat. Then you put the cut-out of the cat onto a blank tee shirt and you pour paint over the cut-out, such that the paint will seep through the cut-out to the tee shirt, leaving behind an outline of the cat on your tee-shirt.
Silkscreen printing works something like the process of placing a cut-out and pouring paint over, except that it is a more refined process. Instead of using paper cut-out, we use a silk/ polyester mesh where parts of the mesh are blocked out using impenetrable ink. The finer the mesh, the more detailed the print. Silkscreen printing Singapore allows up to 5 colours, and the 5 colours will come together to form a complete picture with a range of colours.
A stencil is created on a mesh screen, and ink is pushed through the open areas onto the garment. Multi-colour designs generally require separate screens and alignment for each colour. The number of printable colours depends on the artwork, production setup and quotation rather than a universal five-colour limit.
What is the advantage of silk screen printing?
Silk screen printing is one of the oldest form of printing on clothes and it has been around since the Song Dynasty in China (960-1279AD). Since then, the process has been adapted and further improved by Japan, other Asian countries and USA. The main advantage of silk screen printing is low cost and speed. Once a silk mesh template is created, it is cost efficient to keep reusing the silk screen template for many pieces of tee-shirts as the only additional cost is ink as the raw material. The process of Silk Screen printing is also fast, resulting in lower labour cost. Hence, silk screen printing is the most preferred method for large quantities of print. Silk screen printing method accounts for about 50% of all tee shirts printed in the world.
For business orders, the key benefit is consistency across a run of matching garments. Once screens are prepared, printing the same artwork on multiple pieces can become more cost-efficient. Total costs still depend on screen setup, number of print colours, garment selection and quantity.
If you would like to do make tees by the method of silkscreen printing Singapore, what is your next step? First, you should be producing a minimum of 40 pieces of Tee-Shirts with the same design in order to be cost effective. If you are simply producing a couple of pieces, it is more cost effective to do digital printing (like your laser printer at home), as no silk Mesh Template needs to be created.
For procurement teams ordering staff uniforms or event T-shirts, request a quotation based on the total quantity, artwork colours and required delivery date. Smaller runs may be better suited to a digital or transfer-based method, depending on the design and fabric.
Next, you would need to provide us with an EPS or AI drawing, meaning a trace of the picture that you want. If you do not have a working file (EPS or AI drawing), our designers can help you to create a trace drawing of the design that you want. Our designers will also be able to advice you on the whether the drawing will come out nicely on print.
For a smoother quotation and artwork review, prepare: the logo or artwork file, preferred garment style and colour, estimated quantity and size breakdown, print placement, and your required delivery date. Ark can then advise on print suitability and any artwork preparation needed.
At Ark Industries, we pride ourselves on quality that you will be pleased with, and a process that is hassle free and assuring. Besides silkscreen printing Singapore, we also do other kinds of printing like heat transfer printing, vinyl printing, reflective printing etc. Regardless of whether you are starting your own tee-shirt brand, creating a class tee-shirt or doing a one-off unique design for yourself, we will be able to advice on the best method and the pros and cons of each printing method. You can even choose to create a unique design, using a combination of methods, for example, silk screen printing with reflective on the sleeves to create a differentiated look from your peers/ competitors.
For companies planning a uniform rollout, branded campaign or corporate event, the right printing method should be chosen based on the intended use—not just the lowest per-piece quote. Ask about wash durability, placement, artwork detail and repeat-order consistency before confirming production.
Frequently asked questions about silkscreen printing
- Is silkscreen printing suitable for bulk corporate T-shirts?
Often, yes. It can be a practical option when many garments use the same design, especially with a limited number of print colours.
- Does every print colour require a separate screen?
In conventional spot-colour screen printing, each colour typically uses a separate screen, which affects setup and cost. - Is screen printing or digital printing better for small orders?
Digital or transfer printing may be more economical for small runs or detailed, multicolour artwork. The choice also depends on garment fabric and desired finish. - What should I send Ark for a printing quotation?
Share your artwork, garment type, estimated quantity, size breakdown, print locations and delivery deadline so the team can recommend a suitable method.
Request advice on corporate T-shirt printing
Planning uniforms or event T-shirts for your company? Send Ark Industries your design, estimated quantity and deadline. Our team can advise whether silkscreen printing or another customisation method is more suitable for your requirements.
Explore Ark’s silkscreen printing services: https://ark.sg/services/silkscreen-printing-singapore/
Do contact us at +65 63520988 or send us a message below to find out more about our t-shirt printing services.
