If you’re searching for Los Angeles screen printing for your business, team or event, it helps to know a little about the craft behind your shirts. At Ninja Stitch, our Downtown Los Angeles shop prints custom apparel for local businesses, schools, events and brands. Here’s a quick look at where screen printing came from, what it’s best for today and how to order from our team.
A Brief History of Screen Printing
Screen printing can be seen all across today’s modern world. It’s everywhere you look, from band tees and team uniforms to event shirts and retail merch. The ancient art of screen printing can be traced all the way back to the Song Dynasty in 960 AD. During this era the Song Dynasty was known for advancing the arts. They developed a method using finely woven fibers and block stencils to transpose designs onto fabrics.
The art of screen printing soon spread throughout Asia. The country of Japan used human hair and other stiff bristled brushes to apply dyes to fabric. Later in Japan’s history silk mesh became the fabric of choice and created a technique named “silkscreen printing”. As screen printing spread throughout Asia advancements in techniques were being made.
Western Europe did not learn to “silkscreen print” until the 18th century. Merchants and traders brought the materials necessary from Asia via the Silk Road. One of the center pieces for Western European art, France began using silkscreens placed over a solid frame to transpose their images onto fabrics. The factories of France began mass producing screen printing products with the introduction of this evolved technology.
Created by Englishman Samuel Simon, the modern screen technology was patented in 1907. He developed a process by which a stencil drawn was placed onto a bolting cloth that was stretched over a wooden frame. This method quickly became the standard across the western world. The vast majority of the products were catered to the wealthy of Europe.
With the mass media coming into formation and mass protests taking place in the 1960s, the screen printing industry experienced a massive boom. Protest signs, posters, bold print and clothing, screen printing provided the supply to the soaring cultural demand. Screen printing however was still a slower process until Michael Vasilantone created the rotary multicolored printing press. This allowed for the mass production of colorful garments leading us into the color blast that was the 1970s.
With discos, tie-dye shirts and bell-bottom jeans, the 1970s made screen printed products available to the masses. Today the screen printing world is still evolving, and our guide explores the latest screen printing techniques and trends. Here in Downtown Los Angeles, Ninja Stitch carries the craft forward with services ranging from graphic design and screen printing to patches, heat press, specialty embroidery and large format printing, making us a one-stop shop for custom apparel and print. We pride ourselves on quality, efficiency and customer service.
What Screen Printing Is Best for Today
Modern presses make screen printing fast and consistent once the screens are set up, so it’s the go-to method when you need a lot of pieces with the same design. Around Los Angeles, it’s a popular choice for:
- Staff shirts: uniforms for restaurants, retail shops, salons, gyms and service crews.
- Event apparel: shirts for festivals, races, fundraisers, conferences and company outings.
- Merch drops: tees for bands, creators, clothing brands and local businesses.
- Teams and schools: spirit wear for leagues, clubs, booster programs and graduating classes.
Bold, solid-color designs are where screen printing really shines. The fewer colors in your artwork, the simpler the setup, and the price per piece usually drops as your quantity grows. To see why, here’s how t-shirts are screen printed, step by step.
Our Screen Printing Services in Downtown LA
Ninja Stitch is a full-service custom apparel and print shop, and our screen printing services cover more than just tees:
- T-shirts: screen printed shirts for staff, events, teams and merch.
- Outerwear: screen printed jackets for crews, clubs and companies.
- Celebrations: custom bar and bat mitzvah hoodies that guests keep wearing long after the party.
- Artwork help: our graphic design team can prepare your logo or create a new design that prints cleanly.
Need more than printing? We also offer custom embroidery, patches, heat press, promotional products and large format printing, so your shirts, hats, banners and giveaways can all come from one shop.
How to Order Screen Printing in Los Angeles
- Send your details: share your artwork, garment style and color, quantity, sizes and the date you need your order.
- Get your quote: we look at the number of ink colors and print locations so your quote reflects the real setup.
- Approve your proof: you’ll see a digital proof of the design and placement before anything is printed.
- Production: screens are made, your apparel is printed, and the ink is cured so it holds up wash after wash.
Planning for an event? Reach out early so there’s time for proofs and production before your date.
Need Full Color or a Small Batch? Try DTF
Not every project is a fit for screens. For full-color artwork, a handful of pieces or a tight deadline, DTF printing in Los Angeles is a flexible alternative: there are no minimums, and gang sheets ordered by 1 PM can be printed the same day. Upload your own 23″ x 36″ sheet or let our team nest your logos for you. Building your own file? Start with our guide on how to prepare a DTF gang sheet.
Los Angeles Screen Printing FAQs
Why is screen printing also called silkscreening?
The name comes from the silk mesh used for screens in earlier centuries. Today’s screens are usually made of polyester mesh, but many people still call the process silkscreen printing.
What’s the difference between screen printing and DTG?
Screen printing pushes ink through a stencil, with one screen per color, which makes it efficient for larger runs. DTG printing applies ink directly into the fabric like an inkjet printer, which suits detailed designs and small orders on cotton.
What if I don’t have finished artwork?
No problem. Our graphic design team can create or clean up your artwork, and you’ll approve a digital proof before production.
How far ahead should I order for an event?
As early as you can. Screen printing involves artwork setup, proof approval and production, so reaching out well before your event leaves room for any changes.
Ready to start your next project? Contact Ninja Stitch for a screen printing quote and our team will help you choose the right apparel, colors and print method.
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