FAQ

SCREEN PRINT ART

Can you match the colors of my design?

Our in-house ink color mixing system is the real MVP, stocking up on all Pantone C (Coated) colors – that’s a whopping 2000 ink shades ready to roll. Not sure about the Pantone colors in your art file? No sweat, just shoot us what you’ve got, and we’ll work our magic to find the perfect match. Quick heads up, though: ink color matching is a Plastisol printing superstar. While we can still rock it with discharge or waterbased inks, just keep in mind that colors might do a little dance. 🎨✨

I drew my design on a napkin. Can you print it on a shirt?

It’s awesome to know your next shirt design is on the brain even during lunch! Our seasoned design squad is ready to roll with whatever you throw at us. The more details, the merrier, but even if it’s just a vibe you’re describing, we’re all about turning what’s in your head into a rad reality. Let’s cook up something epic together! 🎨👕

What types of files do you accept?

We’re all about that high-res life – send over your artwork at 300 dpi, actual print size, in formats like jpg, tif, psd, pdf, or ai, eps (vector, if you’ve got it, is the cherry on top). Feeling a bit lost in the tech jungle? No worries, just toss us what you have, and we’ll be your navigation system, steering you in the right direction. Let’s make sure your vision comes out looking top-notch! 🚀✨

How many colors can you print?

We’re all about color variety! For most garments, we can rock up to 8 colors in a screen print. But hey, if you’re dreaming in millions of colors, our simulated process screen print or one of our digital printing techniques (cue the DTG printing) is where the magic happens. Let’s turn that dream palette into a vibrant reality! 🌈✨

Do you send art proofs prior to running jobs?

Absolutely! We’ve got your back. Before diving into the real deal, we’ll shoot you an artwork proof with a mock-up showcasing how your final shirt will strut its stuff. It’s not just for show – this step is crucial for technical confirmation on print size, ink colors, and placement. Your green light here ensures a smooth and spot-on execution for your order. Let’s make sure every detail is on point! 🖌️👕

Will my shirt look exactly like the mockup?

Our mock-ups are the preview to the main event, showing off the design and all the technical deets to ensure it’s just how you want it. However, keep in mind that actual ink colors, design placement, and sizing might throw a little surprise party from the mock-up to the physical shirt. Variations in monitor/phone color calibrations, garment size, and the real-world vibe can play a part.

Consider mock-ups your tech guide for everything to be spot-on. But if you ever need a “realistic” mock-up for a webstore or an ad, one that looks like a legit shirt and not a blueprint, just give us a shout. We can whip that up for you – no problemo! Let’s keep it real and rocking! 🤘👕

What is vector art, raster art and dpi?

Dropping some design knowledge: In the realm of Vector, design elements are crafted with points and lines, making it the go-to for most designs that don’t involve photos or photorealistic images. This format, created in programs like Adobe Illustrator, is ace because it can be scaled infinitely without losing quality.

Now, onto Raster. It’s like a TV or computer screen, composed of thousands of tiny dots creating colors. Raster images, born in programs like Adobe Photoshop, can be just as powerful for printing, as long as the resolution (dpi – dots per inch, in our case) is rocking a solid number. For screen printing, the golden rule is 300 dpi, ensuring a clean and top-notch image. Whether you’re rocking Vector or Raster, it’s all about the details! 🎨🖥️

Can I just increase my dpi on the artwork to give it better resolution and make it 300 dpi?

Absolutely right! While it might seem like bumping up the dpi would work wonders, unfortunately, it’s not that straightforward. Increasing dpi on a small image can lead to blurriness, making it less-than-ideal for printing. The key is to start strong from the get-go – create your designs at 300 dpi, ensuring that resolution setting is on point from the beginning. It’s the recipe for crisp and clear prints. Let’s keep those designs sharp! 🎨✨

GARMENTS

Can I bring in my own shirts for you to print?
Sure! We offer contract printing to verified resellers and distributors. If you are a reseller or distributor, please be prepared to provide us with a copy of your sellers permit or trade membership information (ASI, PPAI).
Can I order different brands in the same order?
Yes. Assuming all of the garments that you include on your order are compatible with the decoration method, size and color specifications and design being printed, you can mix and match between garment colors, sizes and styles to get to the next price break.
Do you provide the blanks as well?
We do. Check out many of the products that we offer here (https://www.sportswearcollection.com/?site=QRAOGSDXWU ). Not seeing what you’re looking for? Don’t worry, we offer tons more. Just contact us and we’ll get you what you need.
Do you have inventory in house?
We carry in house inventory for our DTG Print on Demand offering. However, since there are millions of different items that we offer in total, much of what we offer outside of Print on Demand comes from regional suppliers with even bigger warehouses than us. We have great relationships with these suppliers and bring in product every day to make sure that there is no delay in getting you what you need when you need it.
I want a sample; can I stop by today and pick one up?
We can get you samples but we need a heads up. Since much of what we offer is not on our floor right now, we will need to bring it in for you so it may take a day or two.
Can I get free samples?
Unlike the sample booths at Costco, we do charge a small fee for blank samples. Want printed samples of your design as well? We can do that, too. Just tell us what you’re looking to see and we can confirm pricing.
Do you have any free freight programs with blank suppliers of wearables?
Resellers / distributors, you will receive free incoming freight on order of any size shipping to us from S&S, AlphaBrorder and Sanmar (PSST).

PRODUCTION

How long will it take to receive my order?

We’re all about efficiency! Typically, most orders wrap up within a cool 5-7 business days from the time you hit us up with the order, artwork, approval, and payment. If you’re rolling with a larger order or one with some special handling magic, it might take a tad longer – we’re talking a few extra days.

But here’s the deal: our main goal is to make sure your items land in your hands exactly when you need them. Got a specific date in mind? Just drop us a note, and we’ll pull out all the stops to make it happen. Your timeline is our mission! 🚀🗓️

What is the minimum order quantity?

Just rolling with one? No problemo! But hey, a little insider tip: usually, the more you order, the friendlier the cost gets. Whether it’s one or a bunch, we’ve got you covered. Let’s make it exactly what you need! 🌟👕

What's an underbase?

Dropping some printing wisdom here! An underbase is like the unsung hero – a layer of ink beneath the other colors in a design, typically used when working with standard plastisol ink on darker garments. For our usual gig with plastisol and dark shirt colors, we’re all about that underbase life.

Why? Well, it’s the secret sauce for achieving maximum color vibrancy and brightness. The underbase, usually white, gives a lighter surface for the top colors to strut their stuff. Now, on 100% polyester garments, we switch things up with a grey underbase specifically crafted for polyester magic.

But here’s the twist – sometimes, skipping the underbase can give your print a rad “vintage” vibe. It’s all about that cool, laid-back feel. Thinking of going down the vintage road or aiming for a softer print? Chat it up with your sales rep – we’ve got options like waterbased/discharge ink to make your vision come to life. Let’s make your prints as unique as you are! 🌈👕

How big can my design be on the shirt?

It’s a “go big or go home” kind of party! Our standard print size max is a solid 14” wide x 17” tall, but for those who dream bigger, we’ve got you covered with an oversized option, stretching all the way to 15” wide x 20” tall. Different print sizes mean different pricing tiers.

NORMAL: 14” wide x 17” tall OVERSIZED: 15” wide x 20” tall

Ready to make a statement? Hit us up for pricing and all the juicy details. Let’s turn your vision into a big, bold reality! 🚀🎨

I need my order yesterday. Do you have a time machine, or offer rush services?

Time travel might be a work in progress, but hey, we’re here to make things happen in the present! Ready to bend time to meet your needs, we’re all in. Chat up a sales representative about any rush vibes needed for your timeline, and let’s make sure your order moves at the speed of now! ⚡🚀

I want my design to feel soft on the shirt. Can you do this?

Absolutely! Skipping the underbase can dial down the ink deposit thickness and give your print a softer touch. For the ultimate softness, consider diving into the world of waterbased or discharge ink. Want to explore these options and keep your prints as soft as a cloud? Get in touch, and let’s chat about the printing magic that aligns with your vision! ☁️👕✨

Can I have my order shipped to multiple locations?

Absolutely, we’ve got your back on drop shipping! Whether it’s one or a thousand locations, we can handle the logistics. For multiple ship-to locations, there’s a standard charge of $10 per spot. Let’s make the shipping game as smooth as possible for you! 🚚💨

Why am I missing some shirts?

In the unpredictable world of manufacturing, sometimes the ink hits the fan, and a few pieces may face the unfortunate fate of being damaged beyond repair during the printing process. If you’re providing the garments for contract printing, we may not have spares to fully fulfill your order in case of mishaps. It’s always a good call to pad your order with a few extras, especially for specialty or high-color printing. Our misprint/defect allowance for contract-based orders is 2% by location.

Now, if the stars align, and more than 2% turns out to be defective due to our doing, we’ve got you covered. We’ll replace the missing pieces or offer up some credits to make things right. If you need your contract order to ship complete, make sure to shout it out on your PO, and we’ll hold the fort until we chat with you about any shortages.

Now, if we’re handling both the printing and the garments (full package), your order always ships complete. But hey, if by some cosmic twist, you receive a full package order with missing items, hit us up pronto, and we’ll dive into detective mode to sort things out. We’re on it! 🕵️‍♂️👕✨

What is DTG?

Spot on! DTG, or Direct To Garment, is the name of the game. Picture this: an inkjet printer with next-level printheads doing its magic and printing directly onto a garment. Now, if a DTG print needs white ink, there’s a little pregame action called “pretreat” – a spray applied to the shirt before printing to ensure the ink sticks.

DTG is the go-to for small orders or those rocking a rainbow of colors or photographic images. While we can screen print almost anything under the sun, sometimes the costs of screen printing lots of colors on a smaller batch don’t quite add up. That’s where DTG swoops in as the cool and cost-effective option. Let’s find the perfect match for your order! 🖨️👕✨

What shirts work best for DTG

Nailed it! When it comes to Direct To Garment (DTG) printing, 100% cotton is the MVP. It plays incredibly well with the process. Now, don’t get us wrong – many 50/50 blends and heather materials can also rock the DTG look, but colors tend to pop even more on the canvas of 100% cotton.

On the flip side, 100% polyester isn’t the best companion for DTG. It’s usually a good idea to steer clear of polyester when diving into the world of DTG printing. Let’s make sure your fabric and prints are a match made in printing heaven! 🌈👕✨

What are these “halfed-tones” that everyone keeps talking about?

Haha, a ska band with a high school history indeed! But in the printing world, halftones are the unsung heroes – tiny dots working their magic to create gradients and fades within a design. Picture this: screen printing involves a screen that either lets ink pass through or not. Halftones step in when we need to shade between colors or blend them to create the illusion of additional colors.

Now, these dots are itty-bitty, so you might need to squint a bit to spot them. Our go-to for halftones is 55 lpi, elliptical at 22.5 degrees – precision at its finest! Brrr, it’s cold in that printing perfection. Let’s create some dot-inspired masterpieces! 🎨🔍✨

What is spot-color?

Spot on! Pun intended. In the printing world, a spot color is like a superhero – a color you can point to and name within a design. Think solid areas of color where you can clearly determine its color value, often tied to a Pantone color.

If you glance at an image and confidently declare, “That’s blue, red, and orange,” you’re probably dealing with a spot color design. Now, if you find yourself staring at an image and thinking, “Whoa, this is a psychedelic explosion of colors,” that’s likely a process or sim process design. It’s all about clarity vs. the colorful unknown! 🎨🦸‍♂️🌈

What is 4-color process?

You’ve got the color code down! CMYK – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black – the fantastic four that can conjure up every shade in the spectrum. This quartet often takes the stage in 4 color process printing, a go-to for graphic printing in things like magazines, flyers, and brochures. And guess what? We can also sprinkle some 4 color process magic onto apparel!

Now, here’s the lowdown: while we can pull off this print technique on dark colors, it truly shines on white and light-colored garments. For a full-color spectacle on dark threads, we typically steer towards the wizardry of simulated process. Let’s paint your world in all the hues of the rainbow! 🌈👕✨

What is simulated process?

Spot on! Simulated process is like the chameleon of printing – it mimics the 4 color process using a savvy mix of around 10-14 screen-printed colors. This technique is the gateway to vibrant, full-color images on apparel, involving halftones and a dance of colors blending together to create the illusion of new ones. We often casually call it “sim process.”

Now, here’s the scoop: sim process requires some serious artwork prep to nail the color separations needed for the screens. Due to this extra artwork hustle and the materials involved, there might be some additional fees in the mix. Because of the added time and materials, when it comes to small to mid-sized quantities, DTG or Hybrid printing might sway in as the more cost-effective wizards for full-color apparel magic. Let’s find the sweet spot for your masterpiece! 🎨👕✨

Can I embroider any logo I want? How detailed can the image be?

Embroidery, the craft of fine details! While it can work wonders with intricate images, there’s a sweet spot for the size of details. As a rule of thumb, we usually recommend text no smaller than 0.25” tall (around 18 points).

But, here’s the plot twist: the type of garment matters too. A finely constructed item like a baseball hat can hold more detail than something with a looser material weave, say a knit cap. If you’re ever in doubt about the size, why not size it up a bit? It’s a win-win.

Now, if we spot anything during the digitizing process that raises an eyebrow, we’ll give you the heads up and toss in some suggestions to ensure that the embroidered image stays sharp. If you’re supplying the digitized file, it’s always wise to check in with your digitizer to ensure everyone’s on the same page. Let’s keep those details looking sharp and snazzy! 🧵👕✨

What is plastisol ink?

Here’s the lowdown on Plastisol ink, the rockstar of ink types! It’s our go-to, and it’s the most commonly used ink among printers in the U.S. Picture this: PVC particles doing a tango with a liquid plasticizer and some dye resins to create the vibrant colors we all love. While we’ve got other ink types in our toolkit (coming up next), Plastisol takes the lead due to its color vibrancy, opacity, and flexibility on various garments and materials.

When Plastisol takes the stage, it essentially sits “on top” of the fabric during printing and then snags onto the material during the curing process. Since the ink deposit is on the surface, it holds onto its color and detail through countless washings. Plus, all our Plastisol inks are phthalate compliant to CPSIA standards, keeping it safe and sound. And for those unique cases, we’ve got PVC-free “plastisol” ready to roll if the job calls for it. Let’s make those prints pop and stay vibrant! 🌈👕✨

What are waterbased and discharge ink?

Waterbased ink is the cool kid that brings water and water-based solvents to the party, using them as a base to spread pigment dyes onto the garment. Unlike Plastisol, which chills on the fabric’s surface, waterbased inks dive right in. As the water bids farewell during curing, only the dyes and any other ink components are left, creating a softer feel compared to Plastisol. Since standard waterbased ink isn’t heavy on resins or solids, it’s less opaque and more transparent on the fabric, shining brightest on light-colored garments.

Now, for those times when you want the softness but also crave that “on top of the shirt” vibe, enter High Solids Acrylic (HSA) waterbased ink. While HSA can mimic Plastisol, we often dance between the two depending on the scenario. And now, let’s groove to the beat of discharge ink! Picture this: it’s waterbased, but with a twist – it moonlights as a fabric dye remover during curing. This superhero move results in a super soft print, especially on dark garments.

However, discharge ink is a bit of a diva. It prefers cotton and gives its brightest performances on 100% cotton material. Blends, especially heather blends with cotton, can join the cool club too, but expect a vintage or faded look. Keep in mind, though, that discharge ink embraces the fabric’s natural color and the dye’s unique reactions, making exact color matching a challenge. And, oh, it has a shelf life of 4-8 hours, making the process a tad more intricate on our end. Sure, discharge printing might come with a little extra cost, but if “as soft as possible” is your jam, it’s totally worth it! 🌊👕✨

Do you save screens?

No worries at all! Our screen game is top-notch, but we’re not screen hoarders. We churn through hundreds of screens daily, reclaiming and reusing them frequently. Unfortunately, that means we don’t keep screens on file for future use. But hey, fear not! Our digital direct-to-screen process is a speedy maestro – it can whip up a screen in just minutes, so when you’re ready for a reorder, we’re right there with you.

Now, about that setup fee – it’s not for the screens themselves. It’s more like a backstage pass, covering the time and materials we invest in crafting the essentials to kickstart your job. Let’s keep the print party going, and when you’re ready to reorder, we’ll be too! 🎨🔗🔄

Can I have the screens?

Absolutely, we’re in the same boat as a chef and their spatula – the screens are our essential tools of the trade. So, sorry, you can’t have the screens. They’re the backbone of our printing kitchen, and we need them to whip up those print masterpieces! 🎨🚫🔄

ORDERING

How do I place an order with MA CREATIVE?

You’ve got the master plan and you’re ready to roll? Awesome! Ship that PO and those slick artwork files straight to [email protected]. But hold on, if there’s a brainstorm brewing, you’re looking for pricing wizardry, or you just want to shoot the breeze, drop us a line at [email protected]. And of course, feel free to ring us up – your thoughts, questions, or just a casual chat, we’re all ears and ready to rock! 📧📞🌟

What information do I need to provide to customer service department for a new order?

Let’s make this order dance happen! Just shoot over the following deets in an email or a snazzy PDF PO:

  1. Full Name, Billing / Shipping Address, Phone Number
  2. Design Files: (300 dpi at actual print size) – Feel free to send them as jpg, tif, psd, pdf, or ai, eps at the real deal print size. And hey, if you need a hand, just holler.
  3. Shirt Colors, Quantities, Sizes, Brand, Style, etc.: Anything and everything associated with your order.
  4. Shipping Preferences: Let us know if you’re opting for a pickup or prefer them shipped. Either way, we’ll need the full scoop on your billing and shipping address.
  5. In-Hands Date: When do you want those goodies in your hands?
  6. Any Extra Info: If there’s anything else we should know about your order, spill the beans.

Once I’ve got this treasure trove of info, I’ll whip up an invoice and mock-up, and then you can groove into payment mode (credit card, PayPal, or check). Ready to get those presses rolling! 🎉💻💳

What are your payment terms?

We’re setting the stage for some print magic, and to get the show started, we’re on a full pre-payment vibe. You can choose your payment adventure – credit card, PayPal, check, or even cash. Now, if you’re part of our seasoned crew, and you’ve got those established and approved customer vibes, we might just extend some sweet terms your way. Let’s keep the print party going! 🎉💳💼

Can I pay for my shirts when I pick them up?

‘s the prepay hustle, my friend! Let’s lock in those orders with some upfront magic. 💳🔒🚀

Can you print me a shirt before my order so I can see what it looks like?

Absolutely! We’re all about those custom decorated samples. While a virtual proof is part of the drill for your nod of approval, getting a pre-production printed sample can really seal the deal. It’s like a sneak peek of the print magic about to happen. Now, bear in mind, there’s a cost involved, dancing to the tune of the design and print method. But hey, we’ve got options – you can also give the green light via emailed photos or even swing by in person to give that approving nod while we’re rocking it on press. Because sometimes, a photo approval is all it takes to make the magic official! 🎨👀📸

SHIPPING

Can you deliver?

Let’s keep it local! We’ve got a lineup of local carriers ready to roll for the smooth delivery of your orders. Just give us the nod when you’re placing that order, and we’ll lock in the deets and confirm the cost. Keeping it close, keeping it easy! 🚚🏡🌐

GENERAL

How can I keep prices lower?

Breaking down the cost game for decorated apparel – it’s a triple play! Here’s the playbook:

  1. The Design: For screen-printed designs, fewer colors and print locations mean a friendlier cost vibe.
  2. The Garment: The brand and style of your chosen garment are part of the equation. We’ll help you find the sweet spot based on your budget.
  3. The Quantity: It’s the classic rule of more is less. The more you snag, the more we dial down that cost dial.

So, let’s craft a cost-friendly masterpiece that fits your style and budget! 💰👕🎨

Can I add more shirts to the order after I already approved and paid for it?

Once your order sets sail into the production sea, changes become a bit like a sailor without a compass – tricky. However, if you spot a navigational challenge or a change of course is crucial, give us a shout. We’ll check the production waves and see if there’s room for adjustments. Keep in mind, changes might come with a few extra charges – new artwork, new screens, fetching new garments, you get the drift. Smooth seas ahead! 🌊🚢🔍

Looks like you’re a contract printer and you sell direct - what if our streams cross with direct customers?

Contract printing is our jam, and trust is our cornerstone. We’ve got long-standing relationships with local and regional pals, and we live and breathe honesty and integrity. Your customer turf is sacred – we’ll never tiptoe onto someone else’s plot. If, by chance, one of your customers swings by our way, consider it a prompt on our honesty hotline – we’ll give you the heads up. We’re all about keeping it confidential and conflict-free. If anything’s on your mind, give us the word. 🤝🔒💼

Do you have online stores and fulfillment programs?

DTG and print on demand – it’s a dynamic duo for online webstores! Let’s sync up and dive into the nitty-gritty of making this tag team operation a seamless reality. It takes a little effort from both sides, but together, we’ll make those online storefront dreams come true. Ready to rock the print on demand world? Let’s chat details! 🌐💻👕

If I get my cousin the rapper to say “MA Creative is the best T-shirt company in the world” on stage can I have a discount?

Absolutely, let’s keep it chill! 😊

I'm not happy with my order, what can I do? What is your return policy?

We get it – sometimes hearts change. But with custom-made apparel, it’s a one-way street. No U-turns for returns here. Now, if you spot a hiccup in your order within 15 business days, shout it out, and we’ll team up to figure out what’s what. Mistakes are the odd ones out, but when they pop up, count on us to make things right. It’s a guarantee! 💔👕✨