SCREEN PRINTING
Custom screen printing in Lexington, SC - Built for brands that care about quality
If you're looking for a screen printing shop in Lexington, South Carolina, Eighth State Collective is your local answer. We print custom t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and apparel for businesses, bands, sports teams, events, and anyone in South Carolina who needs merch that actually looks good. From a run of 24 pieces to large-scale orders, every job gets the same attention to detail — clean prints, quality garments, real craftsmanship.
what is screen printing?
Screen printing is the gold standard for custom apparel. Ink is pushed through a fine mesh screen directly onto the fabric, layer by layer, one color at a time. The result is a vibrant, durable print that holds its color wash after wash — far longer than heat transfers or direct-to-garment printing on most fabrics. It's the preferred method for custom t-shirts, hoodies, and apparel orders of 24 pieces or more, and it's what professional merch has always been made with.
Screen Printing Techniques We Offer
Not all screen printing is the same. The ink type and technique you choose affects how the finished print looks, feels, and wears. Here's what we offer at Eighth State Collective:
Plastisol Ink
The industry standard. Plastisol sits on top of the fabric and delivers opaque, vibrant colors with a slightly raised feel. It's the most durable option, works on virtually any garment color, and is the best choice for bold logos, text-heavy designs, and anything where color accuracy matters. If you're not sure what to use, plastisol is almost always the right answer.
Discharge printing
Discharge printing uses a chemical agent to bleach the dye out of the fabric and replace it with ink, leaving a print that has zero hand feel — it becomes part of the shirt. The result is an ultra-soft, vintage, worn-in look that you can't replicate with standard inks. Works exclusively on 100% cotton garments and is popular with brands and artists who want their apparel to feel as good as it looks.
puff printing
A special additive mixed into the ink expands when heat is applied during curing, creating a raised, three-dimensional texture on the print. Puff gives designs a bold, tactile quality that's popular in streetwear, headwear, and premium branded apparel. Works best on simple, thick design elements — not fine details.
Water-Based Ink
Water-based ink soaks into the fabric instead of sitting on top of it, producing a soft, breathable print that feels like part of the shirt. It's the go-to for fashion-forward apparel, lightweight garments, and anyone who wants their merch to feel premium rather than printed. Best on light to mid-tone garments.
Metallic ink
High-shine metallic finishes in gold, silver, and other tones. Great for logos, wordmarks, and design elements that need to catch light and stand out. Works well as an accent alongside standard inks or as a standalone print.
simulated process
Photorealistic and gradient-heavy designs printed on colored garments using halftone dot techniques to simulate full color. It's the most technically complex form of screen printing and produces stunning results for artwork-driven designs, illustrations, and multi-tone graphics. If your design looks like it belongs on a poster, this is how we print it.
what we print on
We print on a wide range of garment types and styles. If you have a specific blank in mind, mention it in your quote request and we'll confirm availability and best printing method.
T-shirts — crew neck, v-neck, long sleeve, pocket tees
Hoodies — pullover and zip-up
Crewneck sweatshirts
Hats and headwear (with embroidery also available — see our Embroidery page)
Tank tops and performance wear
Workwear and uniforms
Tote bags and accessories
Youth and toddler sizes
who we print for
businesses & brands
Employee uniforms, branded workwear, customer giveaways, trade show shirts, and company merch. We help local businesses across the Midlands look professional and consistent.
Bands & artists
Tour merch, album drops, limited runs, and ongoing merch table inventory. We work with SC musicians and touring acts to build merch packages that fans actually want to buy.
sports teams & leagues
Practice shirts, spirit wear, fan gear, tournament shirts, and team hoodies. Consistent sizing, reliable turnaround, and quality that holds up through a full season.
events & organizations
5K and charity run shirts, festival staff apparel, church campaign tees, nonprofit gear, community events, and corporate gatherings. We handle single-event runs and ongoing relationships alike.
Schools & Booster Clubs
Spirit wear, class shirts, graduation tees, homecoming apparel, and student organization merch. We work with schools across South Carolina on both small and large runs.
custom jobs
Have a unique request or job? We’ve been in the screen print industry for 30+ years and can help architect any solution to custom screen printing. Contact us now to start chatting!
how the process works
submit your quote
1
Fill out our quote form or contact us with your quantity, garment type, number of colors, and any design files you have. Not sure about some of those? Estimate and we'll work through it with you.
get your quote & approve mock up
2
We send you a transparent price quote. Upon approval, we will send a digital mock-up showing exactly how your print will look on the garment. Nothing goes to print until you approve it.
we print!
3
Once approved, your order goes into production. Standard turnaround is 7–10 business days. Rush options are available — mention your deadline when you submit.
pickup or ship
4
Pick up in Lexington, SC or we ship your completed order anywhere in South Carolina.
minimum orders & pricing
Our minimum for screen printing is 24 pieces per design. This is the threshold where screen setup costs are spread across enough garments to make the pricing work for everyone.
Pricing is based on four main factors:
Quantity — More pieces = lower per-unit cost. The difference between 24 and 72 pieces is significant.
Number of colors — Each color requires a separate screen. 1-color jobs cost less than 5-color jobs.
Garment type — A basic tee costs less than a premium hoodie or a Carhartt work shirt.
Print locations — Front only is standard. Add a back print, sleeve hit, or neck label and pricing adjusts.
We don't publish a price list because every order is different — but we do give fast, transparent quotes with no hidden fees. Submit your project and you'll hear from us quickly.
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No. We handle artwork prep — including logo cleanup, vector conversion, and color separation — as part of every order. Submit what you have and we'll let you know if anything needs to be adjusted. See our Artwork & Design Prep page for more detail on file types and what we accept.
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DTG prints directly onto the fabric using inkjet-style technology. It's great for single pieces or very small runs with full-color photographic detail. Screen printing is better for orders of 24+ pieces where you want consistent, vibrant results, better durability, and lower per-unit cost at volume. For most custom apparel orders, screen printing wins.
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Yes. A 24-piece order can be spread across different sizes — S through 3XL — and counts as one run as long as it's the same design and garment style.
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Turn inside out before washing. Cold water, gentle cycle. Tumble dry low or hang dry. No bleach. Don't iron directly on the print. A quality screen print on a quality garment will outlast the shirt with proper care.
screenprinting FAQ
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screen printing lexington, south carolina
Eighth State Collective is South Carolina’s premier screen print, embroidery, and promotional products company.