Screen Printing Chicago & Nationwide Services
When it comes to custom apparel, few methods match the impact, durability, and cost-effectiveness of screen printing. Whether you’re a small business owner, an event organizer, or an artist looking to bring designs to life, screen printing remains a cornerstone of high-quality custom merchandise.
At Inkdnylon Custom Apparel, located in the heart of Chicago, we specialize in bringing your designs to life with exceptional clarity and bold colors. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover:
- What screen printing is and how it works
- How it compares to digital printing methods
- Pricing details for both sourced and customer-supplied garments
- Tips for saving money on your next screen printing order
- Additional decoration services we offer
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- Why Inkdnylon is the trusted choice for local and nationwide customers
What is Screen Printing?
Screen printing (sometimes called silk screening) is a tried-and-true process that pushes ink through a mesh screen onto fabric. Each color in your design requires its own screen, making it especially perfect for bold, solid-color graphics.
Here’s why customers love screen printing:
- Bright, Opaque Colors: Screen printing inks are thick and vibrant, popping beautifully—even on dark fabrics.
- Durability: Properly cured screen-printed designs stand the test of time, resisting fading and cracking wash after wash.
- Economical for Bulk Orders: Once your screens are set up, the price per shirt drops dramatically as you increase your order quantity.
- Special Effects: Want metallic, glow-in-the-dark, or puff designs? Screen printing makes it possible.
At Inkdnylon, we’re passionate about delivering stunning, durable prints you can be proud to wear.
Screen Printing vs. Digital Printing: How Do They Compare?
If you’re trying to choose between screen printing and digital methods like Direct-to-Garment (DTG) or Direct-to-Film (DTF), here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Screen Printing | Digital Printing (DTG/DTF) |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Bulk orders (25+ pieces) | Small runs or single pieces |
| Color Detail | Best for solid colors | Fantastic for full-color photo-like images |
| Setup Cost | Requires screen setup | Minimal or none |
| Turnaround | Efficient for big orders | Faster for one-offs |
| Feel of Print | Slightly raised ink layer | Softer hand feel |
At Inkdnylon, we offer both screen and digital printing and help you choose what’s best for your specific project.
Screen Printing Pricing at Inkdnylon
The first question we always hear is: “How much does screen printing cost?” The answer depends on:
- Total quantity of items
- Number of ink colors in your artwork
- Size of your print
- Type and color of garment
- Number of print locations (front, back, sleeves, etc.)
Pricing When Garments Are Sourced Through Inkdnylon
If you want us to supply the garments, here’s our current pricing (per shirt) depending on the number of colors and your order size:
| Quantity | 1 Color | 2 Color | 3 Color | 4 Color | 5 Color | 6 Color | 7 Color | 8 Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 pcs | $4.50 | $7.10 | $6.23 | $9.12 | $9.78 | $11.23 | - | $5.99 |
| 50 pcs | $3.98 | $5.43 | $5.25 | $7.85 | $7.85 | $9.06 | - | $5.42 |
| 72 pcs | $3.60 | $4.23 | $4.03 | $6.65 | $5.73 | $6.56 | - | $3.91 |
| 150 pcs | $3.35 | $3.19 | $3.50 | $4.23 | $4.95 | $5.68 | $5.45 | $3.54 |
| 300 pcs | $2.05 | $2.79 | - | - | $3.55 | $3.98 | $4.99 | $2.92 |
| 500 pcs | - | - | - | - | - | - | $3.65 | - |
| 750 pcs | - | - | - | - | - | - | $3.32 | - |
| 1200 pcs | - | - | - | - | - | - | $2.73 | - |
Note: Dashes (-) mean that particular combination isn’t available at that quantity or color count. Prices vary depending on garment style and brand.
Customer Brought-In Item Pricing
Prefer to bring your own shirts or blanks? Here’s our pricing for customer-supplied items:
| Size | 25 pcs | 50 pcs | 100 pcs | 150 pcs | 300 pcs | 500 pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 x 12.75 | $6.50 | $5.75 | $5.35 | $5.00 | $4.00 | $3.75 |
| 11 x 14 | $7.00 | $6.00 | $5.85 | $5.60 | $4.50 | $3.95 |
Prefer us to supply your garments instead? See our sourcing and printing services here »
How to Save Money on Screen Printing
- Order More Pieces: Your price per shirt goes down significantly as your quantity goes up.
- Limit Your Colors: Each extra color means an extra screen and setup cost. Simplifying your design can save big.
- Stick to One Print Location: Front-only prints are more affordable than adding back or sleeve prints.
- Choose Standard Garments: Basic tees and sweatshirts are budget-friendly without sacrificing quality.
More Than Screen Printing: Discover Our Other Services
Beyond screen printing, Inkdnylon offers a full suite of decoration services:
- Contract Embroidery Services
- Embroidery Services
- Vinyl Printing
- Flat-Rate DTG Printing
- Rhinestones & Spangle Printing
- Digitizing & Vector Services
Need blank apparel for your project? You can place an order for blanks here → and choose from thousands of styles we decorate.
Why Inkdnylon is Chicago’s Top Screen Printing Company
- Fast Turnaround Times: Most screen-printing jobs are completed in 5–7 business days.
- Premium Inks & Equipment: We use high-quality inks and machines for crisp, long-lasting prints.
- Transparent Pricing: All our prices are visible and updated annually for fairness and transparency.
- Creative Flexibility: From specialty inks to unique garment choices, we help bring your vision to life.
- Local Pickup & Nationwide Shipping: We’re at 3717 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, just minutes from Wrigley Field — Go Cubs! We offer local pickup and ship nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Screen Printing in Chicago
- Where can I get screen printing done near Wrigley Field?
- Inkdnylon Custom Apparel is minutes from Wrigley Field at 3717 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago. We offer local pickup and nationwide shipping.
- How much does screen printing cost in Chicago?
- At Inkdnylon, prices start around $3.35 per shirt for larger orders, depending on colors and quantity. Our prices are transparent and updated yearly.
- How fast can I get custom shirts printed in Chicago?
- Most jobs are completed in 5–7 business days. Rush orders may be available for certain projects.
- Can Inkdnylon ship custom apparel nationwide?
- Yes! We ship anywhere in the United States.
- Can I bring my own shirts to be printed?
- Absolutely. We accept customer-supplied garments and offer clear pricing for those services.
Get a Free Screen Printing Quote in Chicago
Thinking about screen printing for your next project? Let’s chat!
Get Your Free Quote: Visit our Screen Printing page » or call us:
- Nationwide Toll-Free: (888) 824-6536
- Local Chicago: (773) 200-5596
Whether you prefer local pickup in Chicago or nationwide shipping, we’re ready to bring your ideas to life.
At Inkdnylon, we’re passionate about delivering vibrant, long-lasting prints—because your brand deserves nothing less.
Learn More about Screen Printing & Apparel Sourcing → Explore our services, garment choices, and full pricing details here: Inkdnylon Screen Printing Services