In this guide, we outline what’s important when ordering screen printing for t-shirts, vests, bags, high-viz, shirts and business clothing. Whether you're placing a one-off order or looking for a large-scale run, our guide explains everything you need to know.

To help put you in the strongest position, and save money when asking for quotes, we've handpicked a list of reliable, affordable and trusted screen printers in Auckland to save you time and money.

Our Auckland Screen Printing guide covers:​​​

• How Much Does Screen Printing Cost?
• Ordering Screen Printing - 8 Things to Ask Before Agreeing to a Quote
• 10 Reliable Auckland Print Screening Companies Available Right Now
• 7 Things to Know Before Ordering Screen Printing

​No job is like another; what determines the total cost is based on several factors:​

1. Artwork - does your artwork (i.e. logo and/or words) need to be touched up or modified before it can be printed? If so, there may be added costs for the time the screen printer spends finalising the file.
2. The number of print colours - do you have three colours, or twenty? The more colours, the higher the costs.
3. Print locations and size - are you printing on the chest of a t-shirt (easy, inexpensive) or on the sleeve of a polo shirt (difficult, expensive)?
4. The method used for printing - are you using standard screen printing, or prefer (more expensive) embroidery? 
5. The garment style or product to be printed - the more demanding, the higher the costs.
6. Quantity needed - the more you order, the lower the cost-per-unit as the screen printing set up costs are spread over more units.

​​​Be aware that GST (an extra 15%) will be added to the final invoice. ​

To lower the costs, ​be organised by bringing finalised artwork ready to go. Our 7 Things to Know Before Ordering Screen Printing explains more ways to save money and not compromise on quality.

To help you plan and get the results you hope for, it's highly advisable to ask screen printers a number of questions before going ahead with any quote. By doing so you can be sure to avoid any extra costs or differences in expectations.

1. What are the maximum dimensions for the printing?
The standard direct to garment printing and screen printing dimensions are 350mm wide x 450mm high. But this can vary depending on the screen printing company. If you need your artwork printed close to seems or hems, be sure the company you choose can do it.

2. What are the turnaround times?
If you’re planning ahead, this question is less critical. However, it’s essential to know how long it will take to process your order so you can plan accordingly. Most screen printers should be able to deliver an order in 2-7 working days, but if you need it faster, you may be able to arrange an express delivery at a higher charge.

3. What is the minimum order?
The answer will vary between screen printers and also depend on what you want to print. T-shirt screen printing will always come with a minimum order quantity, due to the set up time and costs. This may be 5, 10 or even 20 items. Other print processes (such as direct to garment, embroidery and transfer printing) will have a specific minimum order number.

4. Are there any hidden fees?
Your quote should be all-inclusive, and include set up costs, printing and delivery. If the screen printing company needs to tweak your artwork file (such as a text font change or digital logo colour amendment), ask if there are charges for that.

5. Do I get a visual proof of my order before my job goes to print? If so, is this a free service?
Before you place your order, it’s useful to see a (digital) mock-up of your design. For example, by seeing your logo on a t-shirt or hoody template, you can judge the print proportions and placement. If this is offered, check if it’s free with the order cost or a paid extra. Sometimes it may be charged as a deposit, and if you go ahead with the order the cost will be deducted from the final balance owed.

6. What digital file types does the screen printer accept?
This is very important. Most screen printers will accept any file, as long as they’re a decent size and hi-resolution. This is usually at least 300dpi (dots per inch). Most screen printers will prefer to receive .png files for standard jobs.

7. What are the delivery costs?
Ask this up front – it should be a standard fee based on the order size and speed requested.

8. Does the screen printer offer an artwork service?
Most screen printers offer an artwork service, but costs vary, and so do the results. You’ll usually pay an hourly charge, but check the estimated time before agreeing to go ahead. Some companies won’t charge for small changes, so if your artwork needs some work, ask these questions upfront.

​Screen printing is usually straightforward, but small complications can get a standard order off-track, costing time and money. To ensure your order overcomes any issues before they become problems, we’ve outlined seven things to consider before ordering.

1. The number of colours influences the total cost 
A bright, colourful logo will be eye-catching, but it will also add to the costs. This is because the screen printer needs more setup to add all the logo colours. If you want to keep costs down without sacrificing the design, a good idea is to stick to the primary colours (red, green and blue). You can still have multiple colours, but your screen printing costs will be lower.

2. Printing locations
Where you print on your shirt or vest will affect the cost. The fewer locations, the cheaper the screen printing. For example, if you are printing your artwork onto a sleeve or ribcage, this requires more time to set up and put the items in place. For example, a screen printer assistant will need to manually position every shirt and hold the item in place while it’s printed.

3. Colour clashes
In some cases, there may be colours within your design which won't show up on the garments you have selected because of a colour clash. For example, if want to print a black artwork on navy garments, the artwork won’t be visible.
In such cases, your screen printer should contact you to advise. They will suggest changing the colour of the artwork or the colour of your garments. However, this may not always be the case. Before ordering, it’s best to check if you think your logo colours will stand out on the garment you are printing on.

4. Multiple sizing
Be clear who is going to wear the garments you’re ordering. There’s no point ordering a whole lot of M sizes if big people are going to wear them. If you’re ordering screen printing for promotional items, such as t-shirts, it’s best to look at getting a range of Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large sizes. The ratio should be 3:3:3:1, in that order. By doing so, there’s something for everyone, and you can avoid re-ordering, which can be expensive and cause delays.

5. Crinkle and crease risks
Your artwork may appear on an area which creases easily, such as a sleeve or abdomen area. If you don’t want your logo to be scrunched up, consider a ‘flat’ area such as the chest. The smoother the printing process, the better the result.

6. Order quantity
With almost all screen printing orders, the more you order, the lower the cost per item. This is due to the cost of setup is the same if you print two or twenty items. Generally, you’ll see lower cost-per-item after ordering about five or ten.

7. Order more (just in case)
To avoid the issue of being short on shirts or vests, it’s worth considering ordering a few more to be on the safe side. This will prevent the risk of delays and added costs by re-ordering.