What Is Screen Printing? The Accent Embroidery Guide to a Timeless Technique

At Accent Embroidery in Amarillo, TX, screen printing is more than a printing method — it’s a powerful way to bring your brand, team, or event to life. With bold color, durability, and creative flexibility, screen printing has stood the test of time as a go-to solution for bulk and custom apparel. But how does it work — and why does it still lead the way in custom design?

Let’s explore the process, benefits, and different types of screen printing available.

What Is Screen Printing?

Screen printing (also called silk screening) is a technique that transfers ink onto a surface using a mesh screen, a stencil, and a squeegee. It’s most commonly used on fabric—like t-shirts, hoodies, and hats — but it can also be applied to other materials such as wood, plastic, glass, or metal.

This method stands out because of the bold, rich colors it produces and its ability to replicate the same design hundreds of times with precision.

How the Screen Printing Process Works

The basics of screen printing are simple, but each step requires skill and attention to detail. At Accent Embroidery, our team handles every part of the process in-house, ensuring quality from concept to completion.

Step 1: Your Design, Your Way

We start by taking your design and printing it onto a transparent film. This film will be used to create the stencil.

Step 2: Preparing the Screen

We select the right mesh screen based on the level of detail in your design. Then, we coat the screen with a light-sensitive emulsion.

Step 3: Exposure

We place your design on the screen and expose it to bright light. The emulsion hardens in the areas not covered by the design, creating a stencil.

Step 4: Creating the Stencil

We rinse off the unhardened emulsion, leaving a clean area where the ink will pass through. The result? A stencil that’s ready to print.

Step 5: Setting Up for Print

We lay your garment flat and align the screen above it. Ink is added, and a squeegee is used to press the ink through the stencil.

Step 6: Printing & Curing

The ink is transferred onto the shirt. Once the printing is complete, your item is heat-cured to set the ink, creating a vibrant, lasting design.

Types of Screen Printing Techniques

There’s more than one way to screen print — and we’re equipped to handle them all. Here are some of the most popular techniques used in the industry:

1. Spot Color Printing

The classic go-to for bold, solid colors. Great for logos, text, and simple graphics.

2. Halftone Printing

Creates a gradient effect using tiny dots of a single color — perfect for shading and depth without using multiple inks.

3. Grayscale Printing

A single ink color creates detailed images in varying shades. Think artistic black-and-white t-shirts with a photographic look.

4. Duotone Printing

Two colors are layered to add artistic depth — perfect for vintage or creative designs.

5. CMYK (4-Color Process)

This method blends cyan, magenta, yellow, and black to produce full-color, photo-realistic prints.

6. Simulated Process Printing

Combines the best of spot color and CMYK to produce ultra-detailed and vibrant multicolor prints, even on dark fabrics.

Benefits of Screen Printing with Accent Embroidery

Here’s why screen printing remains one of the best choices for custom apparel, especially when you work with a trusted local shop like Accent Embroidery:

• Durability: The ink bonds deep into the fabric, resisting fading, cracking, or peeling.
• Vibrant Colors: Nothing beats the bold, eye-catching color payoff of screen printing.
• Versatility: Print on t-shirts, hoodies, workwear, canvas bags, and more.
• Cost-Effective: The more you print, the lower the cost per item — perfect for bulk orders.
• Speed & Efficiency: Once the screen is ready, we can print dozens or hundreds of shirts in a single day.
• Professional Results: Our team checks every step to make sure the final product is something you’ll be proud to wear.

Screen Printing Applications

At Accent Embroidery, our Amarillo screen printing services are used for:

• Custom business apparel
• School spirit wear and team gear
• Church and nonprofit shirts
• Trades and construction uniforms
• Promotional giveaways
• Event merchandise

Whether you need 12 or 1,200, we’ve got you covered — with fast turnaround and friendly service every step of the way.

Why Choose Accent Embroidery in Amarillo?

We’re local, experienced, and invested in making you look great. When you partner with Accent Embroidery, you’re not just getting a shirt — you’re getting service, support, and style that reflects the heart of Amarillo.

Have questions or ready to get started? Call us at 806-352-3600 and let’s create something great together.

Accent Embroidery 3433 Plains Blvd, Suite 700, Amarillo, TX 79102
accent-embroidery.com   806-352-3600