Captain Jerry’s Screen Printing on Apparel & Accessories: A Baltimore Staple Since 1976
Screen printing is the tried and true method for printing custom designs on textiles. It has been around since the 1960’s, and its main purpose began as a purely artistic one. This type of printing was first brought into the spotlight when it was used in two of the most widely recognized and admired pieces of artwork known to man: Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe Series (1962, 1967) & Campbell’s Soup paintings (1962).
Screen printing is the successor to stenciling, which has been around for tens of thousands of years. This process utilizes stencils to apply designs onto the desired material. The method that Warhol himself used is very similar to the method that is still used today by Captain Jerry’s custom printing shop in Baltimore, Maryland, with slight adjustments having been made over the years due to advancements in the industry.
Our Process
Our process begins when we receive the design or logo to be printed. It is also determined up front which kind of textile you would like your artwork printed on. Whether you want customized t-shirts or hoodies for the members of your recreational sports team, or promotional items like hats and canvas bags with your company’s logo to offer clients and customers, the talented staff at Captain Jerry’s are dedicated to working with you to ensure a smooth printing process from start to finish.
Once the artwork has been decided upon, it’s time to create the stencil. Mesh material is first stretched over a frame that is usually made of wood or aluminum. Together, the mesh and the frame act as a screen. The mesh pieces can be of varying thickness, depending on the type of design that is chosen.
Specific sections of the screen are then blocked off in order to create a stencil of the chosen design. The textile is laid out on a flat machine bed and the stencil is set on top. Ink is spread evenly across the mesh with a squeegee, which transfers the ink to the textile by pushing it through the open areas in the mesh. The ink then goes through the process of curing with the help of a strong light source. Once it has been allowed to cure, the finished product is complete and ready for the customer.
Why Screen Printing is Still a Top Choice in the Industry
This printing technique has truly stood the test of time and remains one of the most commonly used methods for printing colors, designs, and graphics onto fabrics and other materials. The plastisol inks that we use here at Captain Jerry’s have even been known to outlast the fabric that the design is printed upon! The high quality and longevity of this print method are what often make it the top choice for design printing and customization.
Screen printing is also known for being very versatile, as it has many different applications and uses:
- Sports Team T-Shirts and Hoodies
- Professional Apparel
- Party Favors
- Promotional Products
- Travel (e.g. Backpacks & Tote Bags)
- Advertising & Business Promotion
- Logo / Brand Recognition
- Decoration
- Special Events
- Glassware & Utensils
- Utility (e.g. USB Flash Drives & Power Banks)
…and much more!
Turnaround Time
Here at Captain Jerry’s, screen printing is our specialty. We have been providing this specialized service in Baltimore for over 36 years and are experts at printing on a variety of items such as garments, bags, and hats. We have the resources and experience to bring your custom designs to life without flaw, down to the very last detail. We offer some of the quickest production times available in the industry, and we do it without compromising the quality of our work! Our turnaround time for screen printing is 2 days for rush orders and 5 days for normal orders.
Interested in professional and reliable printing services in Baltimore, Maryland? Simply fill out our quote request form or call us today to take advantage of the wide range of customization services that Captain Jerry’s has to offer!