What is contract screen printing?

In screen printing, there are two main relationships between the screen printer and the client – Retail or Contract. Below, we outline both of these in order to bring some clarity on what is contract screen printing and if you would be a contract printing client.

Retail Screen Printing.

More than likely, if you have ever placed a screen printing order before, you have made a retail screen printing purchase.  In this scenario, the end-user like a small business or organization utilizes the resources of the screen printing company from start to finish for their custom t-shirts or items.  Typically, the screen printer will have a set price per unit that will be all-inclusive of what is entailed to create a final product.  This price includes the behind-the-scenes time it takes to create a custom project.

From initial contact through the production phase, the screen printer will provide almost everything needed for the screen printing process.  This includes possibly creating a design and vector artwork, suggesting and ordering blank items from a distributor, and screen printing those items for the client. 

Ultimately, retail screen printing is a C2B (customer-to-business) transaction.  Although the “customer” may be a business, it is not a business that is involved in the selling of screen printed items.

Contract Screen Printing

If you are a business that sells screen printed items, then contract screen printing is probably the way you are purchasing your products.  Contract screen printing has a lot less hand-holding (for lack of a better phrase) than retail screen printing.  This is usually because the client in this situation is very knowledgeable about the screen printing process and provides almost everything the screen printer needs to create the items.  

A contract client will provide vector artwork, along with digital proofs, and printing size and placement information.  The contract client will also provide blank goods, as they have accounts with distributors.  There are no exploring blank garments for customers, ordering samples, or providing garment information for client consideration.  The contract client knows exactly what he or she wants to print, they order it and have it shipped directly to the screen printer.

The screen printer will have an already established contact price guide that outlines the price per print for the client (not a price per unit).  The price per print will increase as the number of ink colors increases. Additional fees are also already established.  Screen fees, color changes, and finishing services are just some of the associated fees with contract printing.  In retail printing, these fees are usually included in the price per unit.

Also, contract printing typically involves larger quantity orders due to the client purchasing for retail selling.  Monetary margins become very important on both sides of contract printing.  The client needs a low price to cover retail overhead and make a profit; the screen printer needs to work quickly and efficiently to minimize time to maximize margin on a high volume, low price per print project.

Does Parkway offer contract screen printing services?

Absolutely!  We work with many contract clients and would love a chance to chat about your next project.  Send us an email to get a copy of our price guide and learn about our services.