F.A.Q.
This short video might answer many of your questions:
What is the minimum quantity of shirts I can order?
24 shirts is our minimum. If you wanted less than that, the price per shirt would add up to the same as if you ordered 24 shirts. Our reason for this is that it takes the same amount of time and labor to prepare the artwork for screen printing, produce the film and coat, burn the screens and set up the press to print shirts. Once we actually start printing, the time difference isn’t significant between 12, 24, 100 shirts, etc…
If I were to order 100 apparel items, could I split them into two different graphics and still receive 100 quantity pricing?
No. The orders are based on design and graphic setup. If you wanted 100 shirts of the same design, then it would receive 100 quantity pricing. Two different designs would require twice the amount of screens and set up. Thus, it would be priced as two orders of 50 shirts.
How long is your turnaround time?
Our turnaround time is 10 working days (Monday-Friday) from when we receive approved artwork and payment to when your order is printed and shipped from our location. Shipping transit time is 1-5 working days (depending on your location), so total turnaround time is between 2-3 weeks. Generally, we get order out in 7-8 days, but 10 working days is the standard for all types of orders. If you’re in a hurry, we have rush options available on request.
Do working days include Saturdays and Sundays?
Our standard 10 working day turnaround time (plus shipping transit time) DOES NOT include Saturdays, Sundays or major holidays. Please take that into account when you are planning your order.
What kind of shirts do you have? Are they good quality?
Our standard shirts are 100% cotton, Heavyweight 5.6 oz, Preshrunk T-shirts. More expensive and/or heavier weight t-shirts are available upon request. Prices listed for standard shirts on our Web site are for good, quality 100% cotton t-shirts. Price for premium shirts refer to the American Apparel 100% tee.
What kind of printing processes do you offer?
Standard: This our most commonly used printing process. We use a plastic-based ink called plastisol, and screen print the shirts using one ink color per screen.
Water-base: This process uses an ink with water as the base. Compared to plastisol, water-base is thinner and lighter when printed on the shirt. This would be a great option if you’re wanting a vintage style print as you won’t feel the ink on the shirt. There is an extra charge of $1 per shirt for water-base inks.
Discharge: If you’re wanting the feel of the print on the shirt to feel like the shirt itself, this process is for you. Discharge describes a reaction that occurs during the curing (drying) process that takes out the current color of the shirt, and dyes the shirt fibers with the colors of your design. There is no ink that remains on the shirt. After a wash, it will feel like the shirt was sewn together that way. There is an extra charge of $1 per color, per shirt for discharge.
CMYK: Also referred to as 4-color process, this method uses cyan, magenta, yellow and black to print. The colors are halftoned and printed over each other to create a whole range of colors by the interaction between the inks. There’s an extra charge of $170 flat for CMYK printing for advanced setup.
How big of an image can you print on a shirt? How big can I make my artwork?
Our maximum print area is 12.5 inches by 16 inches per side for t-shirts. Most t-shirt images are 10” to 11” across the chest, but it’s up to you to decide how big you want your graphics to be. Your artwork should be created to that size. It’s all a matter of your taste.
I want to get black shirts with white ink on the front and the back. How many colors would that be?
Two. We would have to print one color (white) on the front of the shirt and then print one color (white) on the back. That makes it a two color job, even if both the front and back are white.
If I have a specific color I want printed, can you match it?
Yes. We use the Pantone Color Matching system. If you’d like us to match an exact pantone color for your product, there will be a one-time mixing fee of $25.
Why is a white underbase layer needed if I’m printing on dark shirts?
On darker shirts, even the brightest inks will darken when you print them. The result is a more subdued color than your original design, possibly with some of the shirt fibers showing through. To keep the colors bright, we use a white underbase layer. The opacity of the white ink helps the second color retain it’s brightness and really “pop” from the shirt. The drawback is that there are now 2 layers of ink instead of 1, so the print will be a little thicker. White underbase is charged as a color.
If you’re wanting a vintage style feel, you can forgo the underbase layer and allow the shirt to show through- giving the design a worn-in look.
Can I see a completed print before the job is run?
Yes. This is called a “press proof.” A press proof is recommended for large quantities or complex jobs. We will not print a press proof until deposit is paid on an entire order.
How do I need to set up my files?
Illustrator files: Please make sure your art is the size you want it to be printed on the garment. All text should be saved as outlines. Make sure each color is grouped or on its own layer.
Photoshop files (multiple color): Please make sure that the art is to the size you want it to be printed on the garment. Art files can be no less than 300 dpi. We cannot stress this enough. Images off your Web site or Myspace will not print on a t-shirt. Each color must be on a separate layer. All Photoshop files should be saved as unflattened .psd files.
Please email us with any questions or problems you might encounter at hello@sanctuaryprintshop.com
What does Design cost?
Sanctuary Printshop has an amazing illustrator/ graphic artist on staff available to you. He can clean up your existing artwork drawn in pencil on a napkin, or design something from scratch based on your ideas.
Design rates:
- Artwork clean up: $35.00 set up fee
- New Creation: $85.00 per hour
We also have an extensive list of the best freelancers in our business. If for some reason what you see doesn’t fit your project, please email us with the budget you have in mind and the style you’re trying to achieve. We will get you in touch with a professional that will take care of you.
What do you do about screens?
If your job has small design elements that can be combined on one screen, we will save you money by reducing the cost from $10 per design to $5 per screen wash and $10 per screen turn.