What does a screen-printed logo look like on a promotional product?

Screen printing presses ink through a fine mesh stencil, one pass per color. Each color lays down as its own premixed spot ink, so the mark is flat, opaque and consistent across the run, with crisp edges that sit on top of the material. On heavy coverage you can feel a slight raised texture where the ink builds up, and the cured ink holds up to repeated handling and washing.

Which artwork works best for screen printing?

Bold spot-color shapes, blocks of solid color and simple lettering, where you want strong, opaque coverage that reads clearly. Screen printing holds clean edges on solid shapes and standard lettering, but very fine hairlines, smooth gradients and photographic blends lose definition because each color prints as a flat solid layer. For gradient or photographic artwork choose a full-color process method instead.

Can a screen print match my exact Pantone color?

Yes. Because every color is a separate, premixed spot ink, screen printing can be mixed to a specific Pantone (PMS) number. Where a product offers it, Pantone matching is an option for an additional charge per color; without it the printer uses the closest standard stock ink color.

Decoration methods

Screen Print

Ink pushed through a mesh stencil onto the surface, leaving crisp, opaque color artwork that sits right on top of the material.

How screen print works

Screen printing presses ink through a fine mesh stencil, laying down each color as a separate pass. Each color lays down as its own premixed spot ink, printing solid and consistent across the run. The applied mark is flat and opaque, sitting on top of the material with crisp edges; on heavy coverage, you can feel a slight raised texture where ink builds up. The cured ink is durable and holds up to repeated handling and washing.

Best when your artwork is bold spot-color shapes, blocks of solid color, or simple lettering where you want strong, opaque coverage that reads clearly. Each color prints as its own solid spot ink, with crisp, defined edges. Struggles with fine gradients, photographic blends, or hairline detail — those require a process-color method.

Is screen print right for your artwork?

Best for: Bold spot-color artwork, solid shapes, and simple lettering needing strong opaque coverage and clean edges.
Not the fit for: Not for smooth gradients, tonal blends, or photographic imagery; flat spot inks cannot reproduce continuous tone.
Fine detail: Holds clean edges on solid shapes and standard lettering; very fine hairlines and gradients lose definition because each color prints as a flat solid layer.
Pantone matching: Pantone (PMS) color matching is available as an option for an additional charge per color.
Choose something else if: Your artwork is a gradient, photograph, or tonal blend, choose Full Color.

Screen Print questions, answered

What does a screen-printed logo look like on a promotional product?: Screen printing presses ink through a fine mesh stencil, one pass per color. Each color lays down as its own premixed spot ink, so the mark is flat, opaque and consistent across the run, with crisp edges that sit on top of the material. On heavy coverage you can feel a slight raised texture where the ink builds up, and the cured ink holds up to repeated handling and washing.
Which artwork works best for screen printing?: Bold spot-color shapes, blocks of solid color and simple lettering, where you want strong, opaque coverage that reads clearly. Screen printing holds clean edges on solid shapes and standard lettering, but very fine hairlines, smooth gradients and photographic blends lose definition because each color prints as a flat solid layer. For gradient or photographic artwork choose a full-color process method instead.
Can a screen print match my exact Pantone color?: Yes. Because every color is a separate, premixed spot ink, screen printing can be mixed to a specific Pantone (PMS) number. Where a product offers it, Pantone matching is an option for an additional charge per color; without it the printer uses the closest standard stock ink color.

Every product page lists the decoration methods it offers, with the imprint locations, color limits and charges for that item, and a Questions & Answers section where you can ask about screen print on a specific product.