Screen Print Carolina.
Our Services
Custom Screen Printing
Bold, vibrant, and built to last. Our screen printing delivers crisp, consistent results on every piece — from 24 shirts to 24,000.
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing — also known as silk screening — is one of the oldest and most reliable methods for putting custom designs on fabric. The process involves pushing ink through a fine mesh screen onto a garment, creating bold, vibrant prints that hold up wash after wash. It is the go-to method for bulk apparel orders because of its unmatched color vibrancy, durability, and cost efficiency at scale.
At Screen Print Carolina, we have refined our screen printing process over years of serving businesses, schools, churches, teams, and organizations across Columbia, Lexington, and the SC Midlands. Whether you need 24 tees for a youth basketball team or thousands of shirts for a corporate event, our equipment and expertise deliver the same level of quality on every single piece.
Unlike digital printing methods that apply a thin layer of ink on the surface, screen printing forces the ink deep into the fabric fibers. The result is a print that feels like part of the garment — not a sticker on top of it. This is why screen printing remains the preferred choice for custom apparel professionals and brands around the world.
Our Screen Printing Process
Six steps from your idea to a finished product you will be proud to wear.
1
Artwork & Design
Submit your design or work with our team to create one. We accept vector files (AI, EPS, SVG) and high-resolution images. Need a design from scratch? Our $50 logo setup fee covers full artwork creation.
2
Color Separation
Our pre-press team separates your design into individual color layers. Each color gets its own screen, ensuring crisp, accurate reproduction on every garment.
3
Screen Creation
We burn your design onto high-tension mesh screens using UV light. Each screen is inspected for clarity and precision before it ever touches fabric.
4
Printing
Ink is pushed through the screen onto your garment using a squeegee. We use premium plastisol and water-based inks for vibrant color and long-lasting durability that holds up wash after wash.
5
Curing & Drying
Every printed piece runs through our conveyor dryer at precise temperatures. This heat-curing process bonds the ink permanently to the fabric for a finish that will not crack, peel, or fade.
6
Quality Check & Packaging
Each piece is individually inspected for print quality, color accuracy, and garment condition. Orders are counted, folded, and packaged — ready for pickup or free local delivery.
Screen Printing Pricing
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees. The more you order, the more you save.
$17
per piece starting price for orders of 24+
Price includes one-color, one-location print on a standard tee
Additional colors: approximately $1.50-2.00 per color, per piece
Volume discounts for orders of 72, 144, and 500+ pieces
Premium blanks (Bella+Canvas, Comfort Colors) available at market pricing
$50 one-time screen setup fee per design (reusable for reorders)
Perfect For
Screen printing is the best choice for these common use cases across the Columbia and Lexington SC area.
Sports Teams & Leagues
Uniforms, warm-ups, spirit wear, and tournament shirts for youth leagues, high school teams, and adult recreational leagues across the Columbia and Lexington area.
Events & Fundraisers
5K runs, charity walks, festivals, family reunions, and school fundraisers. Custom event shirts that bring your group together and create lasting memories.
Businesses & Brands
Staff uniforms, company merch, trade show giveaways, and branded apparel that turns your team into walking billboards for your Columbia SC business.
Schools & Universities
Spirit wear, club shirts, Greek life apparel, graduation tees, and teacher appreciation gear for schools and universities throughout South Carolina.
Churches & Nonprofits
Ministry shirts, volunteer tees, mission trip gear, and VBS apparel. We work with churches and nonprofits across the Midlands to keep your message visible.
Personal & Custom Projects
Birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette weekends, memorial shirts, and any personal project. If you can dream it, we can print it.
Screen Printing FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about custom screen printing.
How many colors can you screen print?+−
We can print up to 8 colors per design. Each color requires a separate screen, so designs with fewer colors are more cost-effective. For photographic or full-color designs, we recommend DTG (direct-to-garment) printing, which we also offer.
What is the minimum order for screen printing?+−
Our standard minimum for screen printing is 24 pieces. This allows us to keep per-unit pricing low — starting at $17/piece for single-color prints on standard tees. For smaller quantities, ask us about DTG printing options.
How long do screen-printed shirts last?+−
When properly cared for, screen-printed garments can last years. We use premium inks that are heat-cured for maximum durability. We recommend washing inside-out in cold water and tumble drying on low to maximize the lifespan of your prints.
Can you print on any type of fabric?+−
Screen printing works best on 100% cotton and cotton-poly blends. We can also print on polyester using specialty inks. Performance fabrics, nylon, and some synthetic blends may require alternative decoration methods like heat transfer or sublimation.
What is the difference between plastisol and water-based ink?+−
Plastisol ink sits on top of the fabric and produces vibrant, opaque colors — ideal for dark garments. Water-based ink soaks into the fabric for a softer hand-feel with a vintage look. We will recommend the best option based on your design, garment choice, and desired finish.
Do you provide the shirts, or do I bring my own?+−
We source garments from top brands like Bella+Canvas, Gildan, Next Level, Comfort Colors, and more at wholesale pricing. You can also supply your own blanks — just confirm the fabric type with us beforehand so we can ensure compatibility.
Can you match my exact brand colors?+−
Yes. We use the Pantone Matching System (PMS) to ensure precise color accuracy. If you have specific PMS codes, we will mix custom inks to match your brand identity perfectly.
Custom Screen Printing in Columbia, Lexington & the SC Midlands
Screen Print Carolina is proud to be a trusted screen printing provider serving the greater Columbia, South Carolina area. Whether you are a small business in downtown Columbia looking for branded staff shirts, a youth sports league in Lexington needing team uniforms, a church in Chapin ordering VBS tees, or a nonprofit in Irmo preparing for a fundraising event, we deliver the same exceptional quality and personal service to every customer.
Our screen printing facility is centrally located to serve customers across the SC Midlands, including Columbia, Lexington, Chapin, Irmo, West Columbia, Cayce, Blythewood, Elgin, and surrounding communities. We offer free local delivery for orders in the Columbia and Lexington area, making it easy to get your custom apparel without leaving your office or home.
As a family-owned business, we understand the Columbia community because we are part of it. We have printed custom apparel for local schools like Irmo High School and Lexington High, churches across Richland and Lexington counties, and hundreds of small businesses throughout the Midlands. When you choose Screen Print Carolina Custom Apparel for your screen printing needs, you are supporting a local business that reinvests in the community we all share.
Get a Free Screen Printing Quote
Tell us about your project and we will get back to you with a detailed quote within 24 hours. No obligation, no pressure.