Screen Printing: The Classic That’s Not Going Anywhere (And Here’s Why We Love It)

Screen printing has been around for decades, and if you think it's getting replaced anytime soon — think again. There's a reason it's still one of the most popular methods for custom shirts, and we're here to break down exactly why we love it and when it's the right call for your order.

At BD Shirts in St. Joseph, MO, we do screen printing in-house. No outsourcing. No mystery. Just clean, bold, durable prints that we're proud to put our name on.

Why Screen Printing Still Wins

Screen printing is built for one thing: making colors pop. The ink is pressed directly into the fabric at a weight and vibrancy that's hard to match. We're talking colors that stay bold wash after wash, year after year. It's not a print on top of the shirt — it becomes part of it.

Here's what makes screen printing the go-to for so many orders:

• Bold, vibrant colors that don't fade easily over time

• Extremely cost-effective at higher quantities — the more you order, the lower the per-shirt price

• Ink that's durable enough to handle regular washing and real-world wear

• Works great on most shirt types — cotton, blends, you name it

• Perfect for designs with 1–4 solid colors (logos, mascots, simple graphics)

Screen Printing vs. DTF: When to Use Which

We also offer DTF (Direct to Film) printing, and it's a fantastic option — but it's not always the right one. Here's the quick breakdown:

Screen printing is the better choice when:

• You're ordering 12+ pieces (that's where the cost savings really kick in)

• Your design uses bold, solid colors without complex gradients or photo-realistic details

• You want maximum durability for shirts that'll get worn hard (teams, workwear, events)

• You need a consistent look across a large run

DTF is the better call for smaller runs, full-color photographic designs, or when there's no minimum order — which is something we offer too. But when you need volume with bold colors? Screen printing is still the king.

Great For Teams, Events, Schools, and Businesses

Screen printing shines when there's a group involved. Whether you're outfitting a local sports team, printing shirts for a company event, ordering staff uniforms, or getting school spirit gear ready for next season — this is the method that delivers.

We've done screen printing for teams, businesses, and organizations all across NW Missouri, and we've been doing it for over 20 years. When you work with us, you're not sending your art file into a void — you're working with a real shop where real people are running your job from start to finish.

In-house production means we control the quality. We see every screen, every print, every finished piece before it reaches you. That matters.

Got an order coming up? Hit us up at (816) 83-SHIRT, order at bdshirts.com, or DM us on Facebook @bdshirtsstj. Let's make something great.