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T Shirt Printing | What we need to quote your Screen Printing job and why?

  • Mark Browning
  • May 8, 2025
  • 2 min read

At Dayton Design and Print, we’re all about making the process as smooth and efficient as possible—for you and for us. Whether you're ordering shirts for a band, event, business, or brand, the more info you give us upfront, the faster we can get you an accurate quote and start bringing your vision to life.


Here’s what we need to provide a quote—and why each one matters:





1. T Shirt Style and Brand for Printing


Why: Different brands and styles have different costs, fits, and printing surfaces. A soft tri-blend tee costs more than a basic cotton shirt—and not all garments work well with all types of ink or designs. Knowing this up front ensures we quote the right product for your needs and budget.


Orange T-shirt next to a clipboard with checklists. Bold text: "1. T Shirt Style and Brand for Printing." Simple, instructional design.


Blue T-shirt next to a color palette with yellow, orange, beige, and dark blue swatches. Text: "2. Garment Color(s)". Simple design.




2. Garment Color(s)


Why: Some ink colors behave differently on light vs. dark garments, and printing on dark shirts often requires a base layer, which adds to the cost. Also, mixing shirt colors in one order can affect how we separate the job and price it.




3. Quantity per Design


Why: Screen printing is most cost-effective in bulk. Setup costs are fixed, so the more you order, the cheaper it becomes per shirt. Quoting accurately depends on knowing exactly how many of each design you need.


Yellow shirts labeled "YOUR DESIGN" stacked beside a clipboard with tally marks. Text above reads "3. QUANTITY PER DESIGN." Minimalist style.



Ink containers labeled 1-4 colors stacked on left, two yellow shirts with "YOUR DESIGN" on right, text reads "NUMBER OF INK COLORS PER LOCATION."




4. Number of Ink Colors per Location


Why: Each ink color requires its own screen, which adds time and cost to the job. Knowing how many colors are being used—and where (front, back, sleeves, etc.)—helps us calculate setup time and materials.




5. Print Locations (Front, Back, Sleeve, etc.)


Why: Each print location is treated as a separate setup. Printing on both the front and back, for example, doubles the screen setup and press time compared to a single location.


Diagram showing print locations on a yellow t-shirt: front chest, back, right sleeve, left sleeve. Labeled "5. Print Locations Per Location."





Artwork Files graphic shows a t-shirt design on a computer monitor. Text highlights vector formats: AI, EPS, PDF. Yellow and teal theme.





6. Artwork Files (Vector Preferred)


Why: Vector files (.AI, .EPS, or high-res .PDF) allow us to scale your design without losing quality. If artwork isn’t print-ready, we may need to recreate or adjust it, which could affect the timeline and cost.






7. Deadline or Event Date


Why: Rush jobs may require overtime or expedited shipping. Letting us know your deadline ensures we can meet it—or let you know right away if we can't.


Calendar with a red circle, clock showing 10:10, and yellow "PRINTED" shirt on hanger. Text: "7. DEADLINE OR EVENT DATE." Tan background.


Yellow shirt with "PRINTED" text in a clear bag. Hanger and blank tag nearby. Text above reads "8. SPECIAL REQUESTS." Simple design.




8. Special Requests (Tag Printing, Polybagging, etc.)


Why: Any extras like custom tags, folding, packaging, or specialty inks (metallic, puff, discharge) need to be factored into both time and cost. Telling us now prevents surprises later.




In Summary: The more we know, the better we can serve you. Each job is unique, and by giving us all the details up front, you help us deliver a smooth process, accurate pricing, and a finished product you’ll love.


Have questions or need help putting together your order details? We’re always happy to walk you through it.


Let’s make something awesome together!


Dayton Design and Print / Custom Screen Printing | Reliable. Creative. Local.

 
 
 

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