What are your art file requirements?
It’s cliche, but you get out what you put in. If it looks blurry blown up on your screen, it’s going to look worse on a shirt. To avoid this all files should be at least 300dpi or Vector Format, preferably sized to the dimensions you want printed. We prefer .ai, .eps, .psd, and .pdf, in that order.
what are your set up fees?
$15 per screen used. One screen per color, per design. This covers time and materials spent on design manipulation, film output, screen production/reclamation, and dialing them in on the press. We do discount these fees at higher volumes and for most reorders.
why does one shirt cost so much?
Math. We use the same process to produce one shirt as we do to produce 100 shirts. The set up fees noted above apply.
What is a whitebase?
When printing on dark garments it can be challenging to make colors pop without a little help. Imagine trying to get a yellow marker to show up on black construction paper. While it’s not quite as drastic with inks and shirts that same scenario will produce a yellow that isn’t exactly lemony. To combat this phenomenon we lay down a layer of white as an undercoat and print the yellow over the top of it. The end result is bold, bright colors as they are intended to be.
Will my shirts shrink?
Yes, your shirts will shrink. Some immediately. Some over time. 100% cotton garments will generally shrink a bit more than garments made from a blend of materials. To avoid this as much as possible we suggest machine washing on cold and hang drying.
What is your normal lead time?
Under normal circumstances 10 business days from the date the order placement is finalized and payment is received and cleared. This means that all particulars; garments, colors, designs, sizes, and numbers have been approved and set so we can order all necessary products and begin production. Extremely busy periods and/or high volume orders can have an effect on this window in which case we will let you know. In all cases we will work to get your project to you as quickly as we possibly can.
Why am I paying for art?
Not everyone with a great idea for a shirt is a great artist with access to or even knowledge of how to use design software like Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, or others like them. Maybe you have an existing image that is not in digital format or it is but not in high enough resolution to create a quality print image. In cases like these where designs need to be cleaned up or produced from scratch we get our art team involved to ensure that your project will turn out as you have envisioned. Art charges are $45 per hour, billed by the half hour.
What is flash curing?
Another approach to brightening colors by printing multiple layers of that color. This is necessary when the first coat isn’t opaque enough to completely block out the color of the shirt giving the print the appearance of being thin and washed out. To thicken it up we flash cure, or dry it just enough to add another coat, repeating when necessary.
Can you do rush orders and what are those charges?
Yes. If you’re in a spot let us know and we’ll do our very best to help you out. For 6 to 9 day turnaround time there will be an 8% add. For 3 to 5 days 18%. One or two day turnaround is tricky but not entirely impossible. We will need to assess these projects on a case by case basis. Don’t hesitate to ask.