What Is the Process of Screen Printing T-Shirts? Step-by-Step Guide for Creators

If you’ve ever admired a vibrant graphic on a tee and wondered how it got there, screen printing is likely the answer. This time-tested technique pushes ink through a stencil (or “screen”) to create bold, long-lasting designs on fabric. Here’s a breakdown of the process so you understand what happens before your shirts arrive at your doorstep.

**1. Design Preparation**
Before any ink hits a shirt, the artwork needs to be ready. Designers separate your image into individual color layers and convert it into vector format for crisp edges. The size and placement are finalized to ensure the design fits perfectly on the garment.

**2. Screen & Stencil Creation**
Each color in your design requires its own screen. Screens (fine mesh stretched over a frame) are coated with light-sensitive emulsion. A film positive of your artwork is placed on top, and the screen is exposed to UV light. The light hardens the emulsion everywhere except where the design blocks it. After exposure, the unexposed emulsion is rinsed away, leaving a stencil of your artwork on the screen.

**3. Setup & Registration**
The prepared screens are mounted onto a printing press. Registration marks are used to align the screens so that each color prints in the correct position relative to the others. The garment is placed on a platen (the board that holds the shirt), and everything is secured for consistent printing.

**4. Printing the Garment**
Ink is spread across the screen and pulled over the stencil using a squeegee. This forces ink through the open areas of the mesh and onto the fabric. For multi-color designs, printers flash-cure the ink (briefly heating it so it becomes tacky) between colors to prevent smearing, then repeat the process with the next screen and ink color.

**5. Curing & Finishing**
Once all colors are applied, the shirt goes through a conveyor dryer or heat press to cure the ink. Proper curing is critical—it fuses the ink to the fibers so your design can withstand washing and wear. After cooling, garments are inspected, folded and packaged for delivery.

**The Takeaway**
Understanding the screen printing process highlights why quality matters. From preparing artwork to curing the finished print, each step impacts durability and appearance. At Original Thread Co., we partner with Morningstar’s expert printers to bring your designs to life with care. Ready to start your own custom run? Reach out today and let us handle the printing while you focus on creating.