Allentown Screen Printing Services
Are you looking for a unique way to promote your Allentown area business? Shenk can help!
OUR ALLENTOWN AREA CUSTOMERS
Custom Allentown Screen Printing
We offer customized screen printing for organizations looking for promotional products to grow business or raise awareness for a cause. Our team will work with you to create a design that meets your needs and helps you achieve the desired outcome.
Contact us today to get started!
Why Shenk?
The Shenk Company is one of the most trusted businesses in Allentown embroidery services and more. We have been providing outstanding service for over 100 years. We know how important a quality product can impact your organization! When you partner with Shenk, we promise to work with you to bring your designs and ideas to life.
Custom Screen Printing in Allentown
Looking for professional screen printing services in Allentown? At Shenk Company, our custom screen printing delivers high-quality promotional products tailored to your exact specifications.
Wide Variety of Colors and Materials
Front or Rear Printing
Short Run and Long Run Options
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing uses a specialized mesh stencil to transfer ink onto materials with precision. Through this time-tested technique, we press ink through a custom-prepared screen to create sharp, vibrant designs on your chosen items.
The Printing Process
Our advanced Allentown screen printing process creates detailed, high-quality designs. Using light-reactive emulsion technology, we precisely transfer your designs to achieve professional results.
1.
Creating the Design
The printer takes the design they want to create on their finished product and prints it onto a transparent acetate film. This will be used for creating stencils!
2.
Preparing the Screen
Next, the printer will choose a mesh screen to suit the complexity of your design and texture. The material is coated with light-reactive emulsion that hardens when developed under bright lights.
3.
Making the Stencil
Any unhardened emulsion is carefully rinsed away after the screen has been exposed for a set time. The printer will make touch-ups where necessary to ensure everything comes out perfect every single time, and now you have a stencil.
4.
Screen Printing the Product
The screen is placed on top of the printing press. The printed item or garment will go underneath this onto a flat surface prepared beforehand with ink.
5.
Checking and Washing Your Product
Once the printed product has passed through a dryer, this process “cures” the ink. It will be checked and washed thoroughly to remove any residue. The final piece is then ready for its new owner!
Overview of Our Screen Printing Equipment
Screen printers must have everything they want to ensure that the print job turns out smoothly. Below you can read about the pieces of equipment involved in this process.
Screen Printing Press
Modern screen printing presses maximize efficiency and quality for your custom orders. Our advanced equipment ranges from precision manual presses to automated systems, allowing us to handle projects of any size while maintaining consistent results across every item.
Silk Screen
Silkscreen printing is a process where an artist uses tightly-stretched mesh or screens to leave designs on canvas. The first step of this technique requires mounting the silkscreens over your chosen fabric, with separate pieces for each color.
Frame
Different frames are used in screen printing, including wood and aluminum. The wooden option is more budget-conscious. However, the aluminum frame is more durable in the long run and is easier and lighter on the printer.
Washing Equipment
Reusing a screen for printing must first be washed and cleaned. The process can vary depending on the type of printer or printworks facility- some use large tubs filled with specialized fluids that remove emulsion quickly.
Inks
Enhance your designs with our range of distinctive inks. Choose from eye-catching options like dimensional puff ink, sparkling glitter effects, or textured finishes – each carefully selected to achieve optimal results on your chosen materials.
Squeegee
Our advanced printing equipment and specialized tools ensure precise ink transfer for every design. We match the right printing technique to your project, delivering crisp details for intricate patterns and smooth coverage for larger designs.
Digital Screen Printing
Digital printing is an excellent choice for those who need to print intricate designs or very colorful textiles. This technique uses specialized fabric printers, which work just like inkjet computers and make it possible to transfer an image onto the material without any stencils!
Screen Printing vs Other Printing Methods
Screen printing is a popular way to print designs on shirts, hats, and other
Sublimation vs Screen Printing
With dye sublimation, you can have a unique design on every shirt. It’s perfect for small projects or one-of-type creations because of its high cost and time consumption. It is not practical for bulk printing, but it works excellently when designing individual shirts or products with different styles!
DTG vs Screen Printing
Digital garment printing offers exceptional detail for photo-realistic designs and small-batch orders. This advanced technique delivers cost-effective results for custom one-offs and detailed artwork, providing greater flexibility than traditional printing methods.
Heat Press vs Screen Printing
Perfect for uniquely shaped items like shoes, bags, and hats, heat transfer printing delivers detailed designs with flexibility. This cost-effective method works well for small batches and custom pieces, using premium materials to ensure lasting quality.
Vinyl vs Screen Printing
Consider these key factors when choosing between Allentown screen printing and vinyl applications:
- Durability: Screen printed designs offer superior resistance to fading and cracking, ensuring your apparel maintains its quality through repeated wear and washing.
- Design Detail: For intricate artwork and precise details, screen printing delivers superior results. Our specialized process preserves every design element with exceptional clarity.
- Order Size: Vinyl works best for small orders of 1-12 items, while screen printing becomes more cost-effective and efficient for larger quantities, maintaining consistent quality across bulk orders.
- Color Impact: Screen printing excels in color vibrancy and versatility, offering expanded color options and the ability to create smooth gradients for eye-catching results.
Screen Printing Services Vs DIY Projects
While home screen printing might appeal to simple, one-off projects, professional services deliver superior quality at a better value. Partner with experienced printers who have the right equipment and expertise to save time and ensure consistent results.
A Brief History of Screen Printing
The first screen printing was introduced in China during the Song Dynasty (969-1279AD), and other countries like Japan have since adopted it. Screen-printing processes are more advanced than traditional methods of printmaking because they can create intricate designs that would otherwise not be possible with just ink on paper or cotton fabric!
The use of screen printing in the West was introduced from Asia sometime around the 18th century. Still, it did not gain significant acceptance until silk mesh became more available and profitable.
Popular Screen Printing Products in Allentown
From its textile heritage to today’s diverse applications, screen printing in Allentown remains the professional choice for creating custom apparel and promotional products. We apply this proven technique to everything from t-shirts and hats to phone cases and specialty items. Screen-printed products are a great option if you want a unique gift or something to promote your business.
T-Shirts
Long-Sleeved T-Shirts
Tank Tops
Sweatshirts
Sweatpants
Hats
Uniforms
Bags and Backpacks
Umbrellas
Blankets
Towels
Other Products
Businesses That Benefit From Screen Printing in Allentown
Local Allentown embroidery service businesses and organizations will see a positive impact when choosing to promote and advertise their services using screen printing. When you partner with a local screen printing company, you are taking your advertising to the next level and creating brand awareness in the Allentown region and beyond.
Landscaping
Education
Nonprofits and Fundraising
Restaurants
Bars
Bands
Sports
Price Factors for Our Allentown Screen Printing Services
Understanding the various elements that impact screen printing costs helps you make informed decisions. As your local Allentown screen printing experts, we recommend contacting our team directly to discuss your specific project requirements.
Type of Product
Our Allentown screen printing approach varies by item complexity. Darker backgrounds require more ink and labor, directly affecting pricing.
Quantity
Bulk ordering offers significant cost advantages for Allentown businesses and organizations. Our quantity discounts mean the more items you print, the lower the per-unit price.
Location
Screen printing can be done on the front or back of the garment, but you can also create a unique look by printing on the sleeves as well.
Number of Colors
Multi-color designs increase complexity and cost. Each color requires different artwork separation and additional materials.
Due Date
Rush orders incur premium pricing. Expedited requests require prioritization in our Allentown production queue, often necessitating extended working hours to meet tight deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Screen Printing
If you take good care of your screen-printed shirt, it will last the garment’s life! Fading is typical and can happen if wear isn’t adequately cared for.
Screen printing provides high-quality prints on various materials with excellent results. It’s worth the extra cost because it produces such great-looking pieces, and you can’t go wrong using a local screen printing company to promote your organization.
Ready to Bring Your Vision to Life?
We specialize in creating high-quality screen printing and embroidery tailored to your unique needs. Whether it’s custom apparel, promotional items, or team uniforms, we’re here to help make it happen.
Fill out the form to get your free quote, and one of our friendly experts will be in touch promptly to discuss your project. Let us show you why businesses and organizations across Pennsylvania trust Shenk Company for exceptional service and fast turnaround times.
Get started by filling out this form, and a member of our team will be in touch!