The Threadbird Way
So many screen printers.
Why should I choose Threadbird?
Why Threadbird?
When it comes to t-shirt printing, not all screen printing companies are created equal. Printers come in all types and sizes and finding a great one can be harder than you think! From inexperienced "garage shops" with one manual press to experienced "industry shops" with 500-1000 shirt minimums, quality and price run the gamut.
So what does that mean when it applies to Threadbird? Whether you need 24 or 10,000 shirts, we work to get you the highest quality at a price you can afford. We call this "The Real Deal", an option for companies large and small that will fit exactly what you need.
Pioneering Print Process and Ink Types
Inks
It's all part of the price. Be sure to ask your printer what kind of inks they use. Most printers default to plastisol that is laid on top of the fabric. For an additional charge, you can get a better quality print, but even then, the inks are thinned down causing them to look dull and muted. At Threadbird, we think premium printing should be the standard.
This is not the only style of apparel printing we have strived to master. Here are other ink options you’ll find at Threadbird!
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Machines
Threadbird uses top end automatic presses allowing us to print thousands of shirts with tight registration swiftly and efficiently. Many smaller screen printing shops use manual hand presses that are great for small orders but lack consistency and often times struggle with registration on more complex jobs. Automatic presses enable us to print higher volume, lowering the cost of printing on larger orders.
Screens
Screens vary widely from frames to mesh. Cheap screens can hurt quality with prints not lining up and/or loss of detail. It’s also very important to know and understand that not all screens are the same. Different inks require different screens and the tension of those screens will effect how the print comes out. At Threadbird, we’ve spent a lot of time and effort researching what screens and processes are going to deliver you the best quality product possible.
Digital Mockup Approvals
For each item type on your order, we will provide a digital mockup of your design on the item. Make adjustments and changes with our art team to ensure your design appears just as you envisioned. We also allow unlimited revisions to your mockup, so you can enlarge, shrink, and move your design till it's just right.
Your Orders Are Important to us
Your prints are important to us. Feel free to reach out with any questions at [email protected]. It's our goal to provide you with great service, top quality prints and affordable pricing.
About Us
Screen Printing Company
Threadbird realizes that not every screen printer is the same, neither are the garments they produce. We strive to create and develop innovative methods for printing to deliver top-notch apparel and merchandising products.
We strive for quality, excellence, and pushing boundaries every day
10,000+
Happy Clients
Our Customer are the lifeblood
of the Company
14
Years of Experience
Thinking #creative
for customers day by day
50,000+
Orders Completed
Let’s work together!
What We Believe
Threadbird realizes that not every screen printer is the same and neither are the garments they produce. We strive to create and develop innovative methods for printing to deliver top-notch apparel and merchandising products. Using premium quality screen printing inks, our products will consistently impress you and the final consumer.
Customer Satisfaction & Product Quality
At Threadbird, we have made Customer Satisfaction & Product Quality our top priority. Very few of our competitors have surveyed their customers, let alone received the results we did. We have joined the ranks of some of the largest companies in our industry that understand the value of listening to you, the customer! How do we stack up? We rank higher than Nike, Ralph Lauren, Adidas and H&M, to name a few.
Interested in reading more about the Net Promoter System? Click Here
Why print with Threadbird? Well, we think we're the best. But, don't just take our word for it. See what some of our awesome customers have to say...
"I can always count on Threadbird! High-quality prints, on-time shipping for all my events, and stellar super-helpful customer service! I've worked with a few apparel printers with my products in the past, but every order with them proves Threadbird is the best!"
"Threadbird takes the stress out of creating a successful merch line and makes my life easier and my customers happier!"
Apparel Printing Styles
When choosing the best printing method for your designs, there are several important factors to consider, such as the complexity of artwork, the desired fabric type and the intended outcome. Our Threadbird team can offer guidance as to which method and ink type is best suited for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a quick question? Check out our most commonly asked Apparel Printing Styles questions below.
Screen printing with plastisol ink offers durability and bold color on thicker fabrics like hoodies. Embroidery is also a great option for logos.
Water-based screen printing provides a soft-hand feel and is more eco-conscious than plastisol. It's ideal for lightweight tees.
Silicone transfers or sublimation are perfect for performance fabrics—they stretch with movement and resist cracking or fading.
Consider your fabric type, design detail, budget, and aesthetic. Threadbird’s resource guides and support team can help you decide.
Yes—Threadbird provides photo examples online and offers physical samples by request so you can compare print types before committing.
Screen Printing Tips: Print Do's & Dont's for Apparel Printing
We want your order to look as awesome as you do! We've put together a list of screen printing tips & tricks when printing shirts & apparel, things to consider and things to avoid when preparing your order.
Why Not To Print Over Seams, Pockets or Zippers
To get the best quality print when screen printing, we need as flat of a surface as possible between the pallet (that the garment lays on) and the screen (that holds your design). The fronts and backs of t-shirts are consistently smooth and the same thickness, which allows us to get a perfect print every time. However, when you print over a seam, pocket or zipper, it creates an inconsistency, because these are thicker portions of the garment. When you print over these portions of the garments, it creates a gap in the print where the ink from the screen does not touch the shirt due to the ridge caused by the seam. Here is an example:
How do you screen print?
One screen (mesh stencil) is used for each color to be printed - screens must be lined up (or registered) and test printed to ensure that all of the colors line up correctly. Inks are then pushed through the screens one color at a time onto the garment. Finally, each piece is run through a large dryer to cure the inks. Any additional finishings are added once printing is complete.
Learn more about how Threadbird works and why you should print with us.
Inks and Screens used in Printing
The Screen Printing Process
What is plastisol printing?
Plastisol printing is the traditional style of screen printing. Inks are thicker and rougher than our standard printing, and the ink sits on top of the shirt. Learn more about Plastisol Printing at Threadbird on our Apparel Printing Styles page.
Examples of Plastisol Printing
What is discharge printing?
Discharge printing is the process of using water-based inks to bleach the manufacturer’s dye out of a shirt and replacing it with whatever dye color you choose. Learn more about Discharge Printing at Threadbird on our Apparel Printing Styles page.
What is waterbase printing?
Waterbase printing features inks that are soft, breathable, and able to soak into the fabric of the garment, rather than sitting on top. Learn more about Waterbase Printing on our Apparel Printing Styles page.
Examples of Waterbase Printing
What is premium standard printing?
We use a special hybrid style of printing, applying a discharge under base with our special soft inks on top. The outcome is a beautiful, bright, super-soft print (even on dark colored shirts). Learn more about Premium Standard Printing on our Apparel Printing Styles page.
Examples of Premium Standard Printing
Do you offer hem tags or other finishings?
At Threadbird we offer custom woven labels so you can create a totally branded look with hem tags, neck tags, and sizing tags. We can even create large woven labels for beanies or sweatshirts.
We also offer folding & bagging, hang tags, and printed tags. Click an image below to learn more about Apparel Finishings at Threadbird.
