Screen printing on polos for large runs
Embroidery is the default for a company polo, but a one-time event or a 200-piece seasonal crew can make more sense in print. Battle Born Clothing screen prints in-house with plastisol, water-based and discharge inks.
What it costs
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Print, 1 color, per location | $4.34 |
| Flash charge (dark garments) | $0.25 per flash |
| Screen, one-time | $20 per screen per color |
| More colors or locations | Quoted per job |
| Other quantities | Quoted per job |
Example: 48 Port Authority K500 polos with a 1-color left-chest print: 48 x ($13.55 + $4.34 + $0.25) = $870.72 plus $20 for the screen = $890.72. The same 48 shirts embroidered would be $914.40 plus $18.99 digitizing.
When print beats embroidery on a polo
- Event or trade-show polos worn once or twice.
- Large multi-color logos that would be heavy in thread.
- Seasonal crews of 100+ where per-shirt cost matters most.
- Smooth jersey polos like the KP55, which print cleaner than pique.
When embroidery is still the right call
Pique knits (K500, 64800) have a textured surface that breaks up fine printed detail. Performance knits need low-cure inks. And a uniform washed every week for a year will outlast a print in embroidery. For most true uniform programs we recommend left-chest embroidery.
Questions
Is there a minimum for screen printing?
No hard minimum, but 48 or more pieces is where the screen charge stops mattering. Under 48 we usually recommend embroidery.
Can you print on performance polyester polos?
Yes, with low-cure or discharge-safe inks chosen for the fabric. We note the ink choice on the quote.