Silk Screen Printing onto Clothing

What is Silk Screen Printing onto clothing?

Silk screen printing is one of the oldest and most popular printing techniques that dates back throughout history. Also referred to as silk screening or silkscreen printing, it involves layering colours and using stencils to transfer designs onto fabric or material.

The layers of colour or design are achieved by only allowing ink to pass through certain parts of the silk screen, using different stencils for each colour. This controlled transfer allows for precise and vibrant designs. 

As a summary, silkscreen or silk screen print is essentially a method where each layer of the image is pressed through a screen onto the fabric, with each stencil allowing a different section of the design through.

Silk screen printing has been used throughout history to make clothing, and that’s what we mainly use it for at Garment Printing

With origins possibly tracing back to ancient China during the Song Dynasty, silk screen printing has stood the test of time. Some say it began in India or Egypt as early as 3000 BC. As the technique spread across Asia and into Europe in the 18th century, it gained popularity, especially when silk became more available and affordable.

The technique rose to prominence again with the invention of photography, and by the 20th century, artists like Andy Warhol had turned silkscreen prints into iconic art. Warhol’s ‘Marilyn Diptych’ is perhaps the most famous example of a silkscreen print in pop culture today.

At Garment Printing, we continue to use silkscreen shirt printing techniques to create everything from custom clothing and uniforms to artwork and decorative pieces. Whether you're wondering how to silk screen, looking for the best silkscreen print machine, or curious about the full silk printing process, we’ve got you covered.

We specialise in high-quality silk screen t shirt printing and silkscreen prints on various fabrics, offering expert guidance and sustainable options. Whether you’re producing bulk orders or one-off designs, the process of silk screening ensures vibrant and durable results.

Why Choose Silk Screen Printing onto clothing?

Silk Screen Printing is one of the most trusted and versatile techniques in the industry, delivering bold, vibrant and highly durable results that elevate your personalised clothing to a truly professional level. Its ability to produce rich colours, solid coverage and crisp details makes it a top choice for tshirt printing UK and large-scale branding projects.

This method creates a premium, long-lasting finish that withstands frequent washing and daily wear — ideal for personalised uniforms, event merchandise, promotional campaigns and retail collections. The ink bonds cleanly to the fabric, ensuring exceptional colour intensity and consistent results, even on dark garments.

For brands, agencies and corporate teams, Silk Screen Printing remains one of the most cost-effective solutions for medium and large production runs. You benefit from fast turnaround times, stable quality and a polished result that strengthens your visual identity.

If you’re looking to create personalised clothing with striking colours, durability and a truly professional finish, Silk Screen Printing is the technique that delivers the strongest impact every time

Process of Silk Screen Printing onto clothing

Silk Screen Printing follows a precise, multi-step process designed to deliver bold, durable and high-quality results — ideal for personalised clothing and large production runs in the UK.

First, the artwork is separated by colours and transferred onto mesh screens coated with light-sensitive emulsion. Each screen represents one colour of the design. After exposure to light, the emulsion hardens, creating a stencil that allows ink to pass only through the desired areas.

Next, the garment is placed on the press, and ink is pushed through each screen using a squeegee. Layer by layer, the colours are applied with exceptional accuracy, producing vibrant prints with solid coverage and crisp edges. Once printed, the garment passes through a high-temperature dryer to cure the ink, ensuring durability, wash-resistance and a professional finish.

This method allows consistent results across hundreds or thousands of units, making it one of the best techniques for tshirt printing UK, corporate uniforms, events, and any project requiring high-volume personalised clothing with premium quality.

Uses of Silk Screen Printing​​ onto clothing

Silk Screen Printing is widely used across the corporate, promotional and retail sectors thanks to its durability, colour intensity and cost-effectiveness. It is perfect for producing corporate uniforms and workwear that withstand daily use, as well as large-scale event and promotional merchandise for festivals, conferences and brand activations. 

Many fashion and retail brands rely on screen printing for bold, high-impact designs in branded clothing collections and streetwear. It is also a preferred choice for sports teams and clubs, offering long-lasting prints for training garments and fan clothing. For agencies managing nationwide campaigns or bulk T-shirt runs, Silk Screen Printing provides consistent quality at scale, making it one of the most efficient solutions for personalised clothing and professional garments.