While you’re most likely thinking about t-shirts and hoodies when you consider screen printing, this technique can be used to customize just about any piece of apparel. Garments and fabric accessories are some of the most common substrates, but even things like pens and wall décor can be screen printed.
If you make customized clothing and are looking to branch out from the traditional t-shirt, offering screen printed polo shirts is a great option. Because polos have a textured finish, they may not be the best substrate if you’re planning on printing detailed logos or small text. However, they work great with bold text and images. If you would like to add custom screen printed polos to your product offerings, keep reading to learn how!
Start with the Right Shirts
As you probably know, there are various fabric options for polo shirts. When it comes to screen printing, you want the smoothest option available. Both cotton and polyester rank among the best fabrics for screen printing, but each also has its drawbacks. Cotton is lightweight and easy to print, but it also absorbs perspiration and can cause discomfort. Polyester wicks moisture away and is incredibly durable, but it doesn’t breathe well. Cotton/polyester blends are a solid option that combines the best features of both fibers to create a fabric that is soft, smooth, comfortable and durable.
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The way the fabric is manufactured matters, too. When you’re shopping for polo shirts wholesale, you’ll most likely find both pique and jersey varieties. Both are knitted, but the finishes vary significantly. Pique knit polos have that “classic” textured polo feel. It creates a three-dimensional waffle finish that is both breathable and comfortable. The size of the knit varies but always results in a textured surface.
Jersey knit polos, on the other hand, feel more like a t-shirt. This type of knit results in a smooth finish. While screen printing will technically “work” on either type, jersey knit polos result in a better finish. It’s especially important to go with jersey knit if you are planning on using a more detailed design.
Determine Where to Place the Design
Once you have your shirts, you need to determine where to put the design. Since polo shirts have buttons, it typically doesn’t work to emblazon a design across the chest as you might on a regular t-shirt. Instead, you need to be a bit more mindful about location. If you would like to add a design to the front of the shirt, consider placing it on just one side of the chest. Placing it on the pocket works well for polo shirts with pockets. The design, in general, should be placed on the left side of the chest, about 7.5 inches to 9 inches below the shoulder seam and 4 inches to 6 inches from the center.
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The chest isn’t the only option, though. A small design works well on the sleeve of a polo while a larger one works best on the back. If you are customizing polos to be worn by staff members or for a special event, you can easily add a name or title in bold text across the back shoulder area.
Do a Test Print
Running test prints is something you should always do before running an entire batch. Doing so is even more important, though, when you are customizing something more likely to give you trouble, like a polo shirt.
Before you set out to print an entire batch, do a test to make sure everything goes as it should. After it dries, carefully examine the print to check for issues. If needed, make adjustments and run another test. It’s better to perfect things using a few test shirts than to waste a lot of materials by ruining an entire run.
The Bottom Line
Screen printing on polo shirts is entirely possible and not particularly different. Though you may need to make some adjustments, such as using more ink, the overall process is basically the same as it would be for printing on a standard t-shirt. In this case, the most important step is choosing the right shirt to print on. While pique polos tend to be the more “high end” option, smoother jersey knit shirts are a better option for this project. As long as you start with the right shirt and take your time to nail down the process, you’ll be creating quality screen printed polo shirts in no time!
