Silk Screen Printing Services
Bold color, real durability, and pricing that actually makes sense at volume. Here's everything you need to know.
Why Screen Printing Beats Digital (And When It Doesn't)
If you've ever held a screen-printed decal or sign next to a digitally printed one, you already know the difference. The colors are bolder. The ink is thicker. It just feels more permanent. That's because it is.
Silk screen printing (sometimes called serigraphy) pushes ink directly through a fine mesh stencil onto your substrate. Each color gets its own screen, and the ink deposit is significantly heavier than what any inkjet head can produce. The result is a print that pops off the surface with rich, opaque color, even on dark or textured materials.
We use Nazdar premium ink systems exclusively. Nazdar has been formulating professional screen printing inks for over 100 years out of Kansas City, and their products are engineered specifically for industrial applications. That means our prints hold up outdoors for 5 to 10+ years with proper lamination, whereas a typical digital print starts showing UV fade in 2 to 5 years.
Digital printing has its place. If you need a single custom piece, a full-color photograph on a substrate, or a run under 25 units, digital is probably the better call. We offer digital printing too, so we'll always point you in the right direction.
But for volume work, signage, decals, apparel, point-of-sale displays, and anything that needs to look sharp for years? Screen printing wins on color, durability, speed, and cost per piece. Every time.
Screen Printing
- Thick ink deposits produce deep, vivid color
- 5 to 10+ years outdoors with proper inks and laminate
- Extremely fast once set up, thousands per hour
- Cost per piece drops sharply with volume
- Prints on vinyl, metal, glass, fabric, plastic, wood, and more
- Supports metallic, fluorescent, glow-in-dark, and texture inks
- White underbase possible on any dark surface
Digital / Inkjet Printing
- Good color, but limited by droplet size and absorption
- 2 to 5 years before UV fading begins without laminate
- Slower per piece at high volumes
- Relatively flat cost curve at scale
- Limited by printhead clearance and substrate flatness
- Limited specialty ink options, no texture effects
- Requires pre-treated or white substrates for best results
Bottom line: If your project calls for high-volume output, bold color on challenging substrates, or long-term outdoor durability, screen printing is the clear choice. Digital excels at short custom runs and photographic imagery. For everything else, screen printing wins on quality, speed, and cost.
Screen Printing Pricing Guide
Our pricing is straightforward. Screen printing has two cost components: a one-time screen setup fee per color, and a per-piece run cost that decreases significantly with volume. The more you print, the lower your unit cost goes.
Screen Setup Fees (One-Time Per Order, Per Color)
| Screen Type | Fee Per Screen | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Screen (spot color) | $28 - $45 | Most common; solid fills & text |
| Halftone / Process Screen | $45 - $65 | Gradients, photographs, fine detail |
| Specialty Mesh (fine line) | $55 - $75 | High-detail graphic work |
| Screen Re-use (same order) | No charge | Screens reused within same run |
| Screen Storage (between orders) | $5/screen/month | Store screens for repeat clients |
| Film Positive Output | $12 - $18/color | Required for screen burning |
Per-Piece Run Pricing: Vinyl Decals / Flat Stock (up to 12" x 18")
Prices per finished piece based on quantity and number of ink colors printed.
| Quantity | 1 Color | 2 Colors | 3 Colors | 4 Colors | Each Add'l Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 - 49 | $4.80 | $6.40 | $7.90 | $9.20 | + $1.10 |
| 50 - 99 | $3.20 | $4.40 | $5.60 | $6.70 | + $0.90 |
| 100 - 249 | $2.10 | $2.90 | $3.75 | $4.60 | + $0.70 |
| 250 - 499 | $1.45 | $1.95 | $2.50 | $3.15 | + $0.55 |
| 500 - 999 | $0.95 | $1.30 | $1.70 | $2.15 | + $0.40 |
| 1,000 - 2,499 | $0.68 | $0.92 | $1.20 | $1.52 | + $0.28 |
| 2,500 - 4,999 | $0.52 | $0.72 | $0.94 | $1.18 | + $0.22 |
| 5,000+ | $0.40 | $0.56 | $0.74 | $0.94 | + $0.17 |
* Prices are for single-sided printing on vinyl or flat stock up to 12x18". Oversized prints, specialty substrates, or multi-part assemblies are quoted individually.
Specialty Pricing & Add-On Services
| Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss Laminate (per sq ft) | $0.28 - $0.45/sq ft | Adds UV protection & shine |
| Matte Laminate (per sq ft) | $0.28 - $0.45/sq ft | Non-reflective protective coat |
| Die Cutting (standard shape) | $35 setup + $0.08-$0.20/pc | Circle, oval, rectangle, etc. |
| Die Cutting (custom shape) | $85-$150 die + $0.10-$0.25/pc | Custom knife-cut contour |
| Air Release Vinyl Premium | + $0.06 - $0.12/sq ft | Bubble-free install surface |
| Flood Coat (background color) | + $0.15 - $0.40/pc | Full-coverage base layer |
| White Underbase (dark substrates) | + $0.12 - $0.28/pc | Required for bright color on dark |
| Overprint Varnish | + $0.10 - $0.22/pc | Spot or flood clear coat |
| Numbering / Serializing | + $0.08 - $0.15/pc | Sequential numbering per piece |
| Rush Turnaround (2-3 days) | +25% of order total | Standard lead time is 7-10 days |
| Artwork / Separation Fee | $45 - $120/hr | Varies by artwork complexity |
Real-World Pricing Examples
Here are a few sample jobs so you can see how the pricing actually shakes out. All examples reflect standard 7-10 business day turnaround.
Vehicle Decal Set: 500 Sets x 5 Pieces, 3 Colors on Clear Air-Release Vinyl
| Line Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per-Piece Run Cost (3 colors / 2,500-4,999 tier) - 2,500 pieces | $2,350.00 |
| Screen Setup (3 screens x $38 avg) | $114.00 |
| Film Output (3 x $15) | $45.00 |
| Air Release Vinyl Premium ($0.09/sq ft x approx. 3,750 sq ft) | $337.50 |
| Gloss Laminate ($0.36/sq ft x 3,750 sq ft) | $1,350.00 |
| Estimated Total | $4,196.50 |
| Cost Per Set of 5 | $1.68 / set |
Retail Point-of-Sale Sign: 250 Pieces, 4-Color on White PVC, Gloss Laminate
| Line Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per-Piece Run Cost (4 colors / 250-499 tier) - 250 pieces | $787.50 |
| Screen Setup (4 screens x $42 avg) | $168.00 |
| Film Output (4 x $15) | $60.00 |
| Gloss Laminate ($0.36/sq ft x approx. 312 sq ft) | $112.32 |
| Die Cutting (standard rectangle) | $22.00 |
| Estimated Total | $1,149.82 |
| Cost Per Piece | $4.60 / piece |
Safety Decals: 1,000 Pieces, 2-Color Fluorescent on White Vinyl
| Line Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per-Piece Run Cost (2 colors / 1,000-2,499 tier) - 1,000 pieces | $920.00 |
| Screen Setup (2 screens x $38 avg) | $76.00 |
| Film Output (2 x $15) | $30.00 |
| Matte Laminate ($0.34/sq ft x approx. 700 sq ft) | $238.00 |
| Nazdar Fluorescent Ink Premium (included in specialty screen pricing) | Included |
| Estimated Total | $1,264.00 |
| Cost Per Piece | $1.26 / piece |
The Inks We Use: Nazdar Premium Ink Systems
We're pretty particular about ink. We exclusively run Nazdar ink systems because they've been doing this longer than just about anyone (over 100 years), and their formulations are built for industrial screen printing, not hobbyist work. Every ink we use is selected to match your specific substrate, application environment, and performance requirements. We don't substitute with off-brand inks. Your product quality depends on it.
Nazdar 1700 Series - Plastisol Textile Inks
The industry standard for fabric and garment printing. Extremely opaque, vibrant color on both light and dark textiles. Doesn't air-dry, so you get extended open time on press. Cures with heat into a durable, flexible bond. Available in a huge range of PMS-matched colors. Ideal for T-shirts, uniforms, apparel decoration, and promotional products.
Nazdar 9700 Series - UV-Curable Screen Inks
A high-performance UV-curable system for rigid substrates like PVC, polycarbonate, acrylic, and styrene. Cures instantly under UV lamps with zero solvent evaporation, which makes it cleaner and faster. Exceptional hardness and scratch resistance. Perfect for point-of-purchase displays, retail signage, and industrial nameplates.
Nazdar 6000 / 6500 Series - Solvent-Based Vinyl Inks
Purpose-built for calendered and cast vinyl, polyester films, and flexible banner materials. These solvent inks chemically bond to the substrate for maximum adhesion and flexibility. Resistant to cracking and peeling even through repeated bending. Used extensively for vehicle graphics, fleet decals, and large-format vinyl signage.
Nazdar 700 Series - Water-Based Inks
A versatile water-based formulation for paper, board, and environmentally-sensitive applications. Low VOC content makes it ideal for eco-conscious projects and indoor environments. Provides excellent print definition and color accuracy. Can be overprinted and finished with UV coatings for added durability.
Nazdar Fluorescent & Specialty Series
High-intensity fluorescent inks for safety signage, promotional displays, and high-visibility applications. The specialty range also includes pearlescent and metallic inks for decorative printing, phosphorescent (glow-in-the-dark) inks for safety and novelty applications, and high-build texture inks that create tactile surface effects.
Nazdar AR Systems - Adhesion Promoter & Adhesive-Ready Inks
Engineered for the most challenging print-and-apply workflows, including pressure-sensitive decals, vehicle wraps, and industrial labels that need to bond to complex curved surfaces. The AR chemistry keeps the ink layer flexible and intact through die-cutting, handling, and application. The go-to for fleet identification programs and decal sets.
Our Process: From Artwork to Delivery
Here's what happens after you send us your files. The whole thing typically takes 7 to 10 business days from artwork approval to delivery.
Artwork Review
Send us your vector artwork (AI, EPS, or high-res PDF preferred). Our pre-press team reviews it for color accuracy, trapping, and print-readiness, and we'll flag anything that needs adjustment before production starts.
Color Separation & Film Output
Each color in your artwork is separated and output as a film positive. This is the master for your screens. We verify registration and color accuracy at this stage.
Screen Burning
Each film positive is UV-exposed onto a coated mesh screen. The screen is washed out, inspected under light, and mounted on press. Screens can print thousands of impressions without degradation.
Press Setup & Color Matching
Ink is mixed to match your specified PMS colors using our Nazdar ink system. We pull press proofs and review registration before starting the production run.
Production Run
Your job runs at full press speed. Our press operators monitor color consistency, registration, and substrate handling throughout the run. Every piece is printed to specification.
Finishing & Quality Check
Printed pieces are laminated, die-cut, or otherwise finished per your specifications. A final quality inspection is performed before packaging. Defective pieces are pulled and reprinted.
Packaging & Delivery
Jobs are packaged to prevent damage in transit. We offer local delivery in the Birmingham area and ship nationwide via UPS or freight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What file formats do you accept?
We prefer AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS, or print-ready PDF files with fonts outlined. We can work with high-resolution raster files (300+ DPI at print size) for halftone work. Low-resolution logos and JPEGs from the web are not suitable for screen separation.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Our minimum for screen printing is 25 pieces per design. Rush minimums may be higher. For quantities under 25, digital printing is typically more cost-effective, and we offer that as well.
How long does an order take?
Standard turnaround is 7 to 10 business days from artwork approval. Rush orders (2 to 3 business day turnaround) are available for a 25% surcharge, subject to press availability.
Can I reorder without paying setup fees again?
Yes! Once your screens are produced and stored, reorders within 12 months carry no new setup fee. Screen storage is $5 per screen per month after the first 30 days.
Do you offer design services?
Yes, we have in-house graphic designers who can create or modify artwork. Design is billed at $45 to $120/hour depending on complexity. A design quote is provided before work begins.
Ready to Get a Quote?
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation estimate on your next print project. Whether you need 25 pieces or 25,000, we deliver professional results on time and on budget.