T-Shirts
Custom tees for teams, events, brands and fundraisers.
Screen PrintingDTG Printing
from$10.50/unitex GST
Print method
Screen Printing
Ink is pushed through a fine mesh screen, one colour at a time. The result is vibrant, opaque and tough, and the price per item drops as quantities go up. It's the go-to for team wear, events and merch runs.
Is it right for you?
Best for, and not ideal for
Best for
- Runs of 25 pieces or more
- Logos and bold graphics (1 to 4 colours)
- Dark garments, since the ink is thick and opaque
- Prints that need to survive years of washing
Not ideal for
- Photographic artwork or fine gradients
- Very small runs, because each colour needs its own screen
Behind the scenes
How it works
Your artwork is separated into one layer per colour.
Each colour is burned onto its own mesh screen.
Ink is squeegeed through each screen onto the garment.
The print is cured with heat so it locks in and washes well.
The details
Minimums, durability and colour
Minimum order
20 units
Colours
Priced per colour; most jobs use 1 to 4 colours
Hand feel
Ink sits on the surface, so heavier coverage feels slightly raised
Durability
Excellent: the toughest option for repeat washing
Price guide
From $1.50 per print at volume (ex GST); depends on garment, colours and quantity
Setup
$63 setup per colour (screens), reusable for repeat orders at half price with the same artwork
Turnaround
2 to 3 weeks from proof approval
Prices are indicative, in AUD and exclude GST. Your quote confirms the final price for your artwork, quantity and delivery. Benchmarked against competitor pricing and reasonable market defaults (Hasan, 2026-09-24) — confirm against real supplier costs and margin before launch.
How screen printing rates
- Detail and colour range3 out of 5 Good
- Durability5 out of 5 Excellent
- Soft feel3 out of 5 Good
- Suits small runs2 out of 5 Fair
- Value in bulk5 out of 5 Excellent
Compare
How it compares to the other methods
| Feature | Screen PrintingThis method | DTG Printing | DTF Printing | Sublimation Printing | Embroidery | Specialty Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detail and colour rangeFine lines, gradients and lots of colours | 3 out of 5 Good | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 2 out of 5 Fair | 3 out of 5 Good |
| DurabilityHow well it holds up to washing and wear | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 3 out of 5 Good | 4 out of 5 Very good | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 4 out of 5 Very good |
| Soft feelHow light and comfortable it feels to wear | 3 out of 5 Good | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 3 out of 5 Good | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 2 out of 5 Fair | 1 out of 5 Basic |
| Suits small runsGood value for a handful of pieces | 2 out of 5 Fair | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 4 out of 5 Very good | 4 out of 5 Very good | 3 out of 5 Good | 3 out of 5 Good |
| Value in bulkHow much cheaper it gets on big orders | 5 out of 5 Excellent | 2 out of 5 Fair | 3 out of 5 Good | 3 out of 5 Good | 3 out of 5 Good | 2 out of 5 Fair |
| Best for | Runs of 25 pieces or more | Full-colour and photographic artwork | Full-colour designs on cotton, polyester and blends | Full-colour artwork, gradients and photographs | Left-chest logos on polos and workwear | Streetwear and merch drops |
| Minimum order | 20 units | 5 units | 5 units | 10 units | 5 units | 50 units |
| Colours | Priced per colour; most jobs use 1 to 4 colours | No colour limit; gradients and photos are fine | No colour limit; gradients and photos are fine | No colour limit; gradients and photographs are suitable | Thread colours matched from a chart; priced by stitch count | Depends on the finish; ask us for the current range |
| How it feels | Ink sits on the surface, so heavier coverage feels slightly raised | Very soft: the ink soaks into the fibres instead of sitting on top | Smooth and flexible; a thin layer sits on top of the fabric | No raised ink layer on compatible polyester fabric; the colour is part of the surface | Textured and slightly raised, with a stiffer feel under the logo | Textured: raised (puff) or smooth and reflective (foil, metallic) |
| Durability | Excellent: the toughest option for repeat washing | Good, though not as tough as screen printing over many washes | Very good on most fabrics | Excellent on compatible substrates; the design will not crack or peel | Outstanding: stitching outlasts most garments | Good with careful washing; avoid high heat |
| Setup | $63 setup per colour (screens), reusable for repeat orders at half price with the same artwork | $63 one-off file-prep fee, half price on repeat orders with the same artwork | $63 one-off file-prep fee, half price on repeat orders with the same artwork | $118 one-off file-prep fee, half price on repeat orders with the same artwork | $73 one-off digitising fee, half price on repeat orders with the same artwork | Extra setup for the effect layer, on top of the base print's setup |
| Price guide | From $1.50 per print at volume (ex GST); depends on garment, colours and quantity | From $7.90 per print (ex GST); no per-colour setup, depends on garment and quantity | From $2.90 per print (ex GST); no per-colour setup, depends on garment and quantity | From $27.90 per item (ex GST); depends on product, print area and quantity | From $3.90 per item (ex GST); depends on stitch count and quantity | From $3 per layer (ex GST), added on top of the base print's price |
Where it's used
Products suited to screen printing
Hoodies & Sweatshirts
Heavyweight, cosy and made to be worn on repeat.
Screen PrintingDTG Printingfrom$34.00/unitex GST
Polos & Workwear
Sharp, embroidered uniforms for staff and trades.
EmbroideryDTF Printingfrom$24.00/unitex GST
Tote Bags
Everyday carry-alls that keep your brand in view.
Screen PrintingDTG Printingfrom$4.50/unitex GST
Hi-Vis & Uniforms
Hi-vis and workwear branded for the job site.
Screen PrintingDTF Printingfrom$30.00/unitex GST
Questions
Screen Printing FAQs
Screen printing pushes thick ink through a mesh, one colour at a time. It's hard-wearing and cheapest for bigger runs of simple designs. DTG prints full-colour artwork directly into the fabric, so it suits detailed designs and small runs, and it feels softer.
The minimum depends on the print method: 20 units for screen printing, 10 for sublimation, and 5 for DTG, DTF and embroidery (specialty finishes, an add-on, need 50). If you need fewer, ask us; we'll tell you what's possible.
Send us the Pantone (PMS) references from your brand guide and we'll tell you how closely each print method can match them. Colour on fabric never looks exactly like a screen, so we'll flag any risks on the proof.
Wash inside out in cold water, avoid bleach and high heat, and don't iron directly on the print. Hang dry or tumble dry on low.
Related methods
You might also consider
DTG Printing
Full-colour detail, printed straight into the fabric.
- Full-colour and photographic artwork
- Small runs and one-offs
How it works and what it costs
Specialty Finishes
Puff, foil and metallic effects that make a design stand out.
- Streetwear and merch drops
- Hero pieces and limited runs
How it works and what it costs
Ready to print with screen printing?
Upload your artwork, tell us what you need, and we'll send a free digital proof and a firm price.