Screen Printing

Lenco offers decorations on garments in form of screen printing.

Screen printing is one of the most popular and time-tested methods for decorating garments. Whether it’s for uniforms, event T-shirts, or fashion lines, it offers bold, long-lasting prints that stand up to repeated wear and washing.

What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing involves pushing ink through a fine mesh screen onto fabric. Each colour in the design requires a separate screen, and the ink sits on top of the garment, producing vibrant and durable prints.

Types of Screen Printing Techniques

1. Spot Colour Printing

   - Uses solid blocks of individual colours (e.g. red, blue, black).

   - Ideal for logos, text, and simple graphics.

2. Halftone Printing

   - Creates gradients and shading using dots of varying sizes.

   - Great for photo-like effects or tonal depth with fewer colours.

3. CMYK (Four-Colour Process)

   - Uses cyan, magenta, yellow, and black to print full-colour images.

   - Suited for light garments and detailed designs.

4. Simulated Process Printing

   - Uses spot colours to simulate full-colour designs, especially on dark garments.

   - Ideal for high-end prints with complex detail.

5. Discharge Printing

   - Removes the dye from dark fabrics and replaces it with ink, resulting in a soft feel.

   - Best on 100% cotton.

Colour Selection

- Bold and Vibrant Colours: Screen printing offers rich, opaque colours, especially on dark fabrics.

- Pantone Matching: Allows for precise brand colour reproduction.

- Limitations: Each colour requires a separate screen, so more colours = higher setup costs.

Setup Process

1. Artwork Preparation – Vector files are preferred; colours are separated for individual screens.

2. Screen Creation – A mesh screen is prepared for each colour.

3. Garment Placement – Fabric is loaded onto the press.

4. Printing – Ink is pulled through each screen using a squeegee.

5. Curing – Printed garments go through a heater / dryer to cure the ink permanently.

Advantages of Screen Printing

- Durability – Prints are long-lasting and hold up well after many washes.

- Vibrancy – Inks are bold and stand out on both light and dark fabrics.

- Cost-Effective for Bulk Orders – The more you print, the cheaper it gets per piece.

- Versatile – Works on T-shirts, hoodies, bags, and more.

Disadvantages of Screen Printing

- Setup Costs – High initial setup for multiple colours or small runs.

- Not Ideal for Small Orders – Better suited for quantities of 20+ garments.

- Limited Detail – Ultra-fine detail and photo-quality prints can be tricky.

- Time-Consuming Setup – Preparing screens and alignment takes time.

Final Thoughts

Screen printing is the gold standard for bold, long-lasting garment decoration—perfect for events, teams, or businesses needing large runs. With proper design prep and colour planning, it delivers unbeatable value and quality.

Contact the friendly team at Lenco to talk about your requirements. We will be happy to assist in selecting the right garment and the type of decoration you needed to customise it to meet your needs.