Screen printing is a super popular way to put logos and images onto all kinds of surfaces. When you’re creating a design to be screen printed, there are some considerations you want to keep in mind. Here are 3 tips for creating effective screen printing designs!

1. Pick the right colors.

If you’re printing your logo, you should definitely make sure you’re using the exact shades of whatever colors your branding contains. On top of that, if you’re printing your logo on a color other than black, white, or grey (usually), make sure your design is going to stand out enough!

Oftentimes, colors that look together don’t necessarily work together in print. Make sure you have a winning combination from the get-go! Get creative with your color palette for your shirt design, and maybe save on printing costs by using the color of your shirt as a color in your design!

2. Use high-resolution files when sharing between any devices.

If you’re sharing your screen printing designs from your device to a printer or other device, make sure you’re using the best file resolution for the result you’re trying to achieve. Photos don’t normally work well with screen printing. 

When you’re using a design drawn on paper, we recommend converting this design to a digital file instead of trying to scan it somewhere. That way, you maintain the most possible control over the final outcome. Plus, you can make sure it doesn’t look strangely pixellated in the end!

3. Prioritize readability for screen printing designs!

While there are many color combinations that look fantastic together, often they are difficult to read when not configured properly. As with any type of apparel design, you want to make sure that the color of your product will have plenty of contrast against whatever you print on it. You don’t want any of your hard work to disappear!

This example is of watercolors, but the idea is still there; you want to ensure that your design stands out as much as it can.

A good general rule to keep in mind is that it’s usually best to put dark colors on top of light colors, not always the other way around. Of course, it’s all dependent on the design, but if you’re looking for an easy starting point, there it is!

For any and all printing needs, you’ve arrived in the right place. Here at Zipp Printing, our team of print professionals deliver high quality printing, surprisingly fast. We’d love to work with you on your next print adventure. Contact us today!