SCREEN PRINTING INKS & SPECIALTY FINISHES
Ink Techniques for Custom Shirt Printing in Los Angeles
Choose how your design looks and feels. Compare soft water-based prints, bold plastisol, reflective foil and raised puff ink—then pair the finish you like with the right shirt.
Share your garment, artwork and quantity so we can confirm the right printing setup.
A closer look at the process behind your custom shirts.
Start with the finish you want
Every design calls for a different balance of color, texture and softness. Use this guide to narrow your choices, then ask our team to review the fabric and artwork together.
Soft feel
Explore water-based ink, soft-hand plastisol and discharge for a lighter-feeling print.
Bold color & shine
Compare saturated plastisol, metallic shimmer and the mirror-like look of foil.
Texture & special effects
Look at glossy clear gel, raised puff ink and glow-in-the-dark designs.
Soft ink finishes for everyday wear
A softer finish starts with the fabric, the design and the ink working together. These options offer different ways to shape the feel of a print.
Water-based ink
Water-based ink absorbs into the fabric fibers to create a soft-touch print. Start here when the feel of the shirt matters as much as the graphic.
Consider it for: Soft-feel logos and everyday custom tees.
Ask us to check the fabric, shirt color and coverage your design needs.
Soft-hand plastisol
An additive softens the feel of plastisol ink. This approach can suit artwork with a vintage or distressed look while keeping the familiar character of a printed graphic.
Consider it for: Vintage-inspired merchandise and worn-in artwork.
Share the finished look you want so we can discuss the ink setup.
Discharge ink
Discharge uses a water-based ink with an activator to remove dye from the fabric. It can create a soft result on suitable dark cotton garments.
Consider it for: Dark cotton shirts when the fabric and dye are suitable.
The garment dye affects the result, so confirm your exact shirt and color first.
Screen-printing inks for bold color & shine
Choose a solid, saturated print or add a reflective accent. Metallic ink and foil create different finishes, so use the examples to describe the look you want.
Plastisol ink
Plastisol sits on top of the fabric fibers and delivers a bold, saturated look. It is a common choice for repeat logos and graphics across a group of shirts.
Consider it for: Strong graphics, crew shirts and event designs.
Ink colors, print size and locations help determine the setup and price.
Metallic ink
Fine particles in metallic ink create a shimmering finish. Use it when you want a metallic accent in a printed design.
Consider it for: Logos and graphic details that call for shimmer.
Compare the metallic sample with foil if you want a stronger reflective effect.
Foil printing
Foil creates a mirror-like effect. We print an adhesive layer, then use heat and a sheet of foil to apply the reflective finish.
Consider it for: Statement graphics and reflective design accents.
Send the artwork and garment choice so we can review the areas you want foiled.
Specialty ink techniques for texture & effects
Give selected parts of your artwork a different surface or low-light effect. A clear design plan helps us recommend where the treatment will work best.
Clear gel
A clear plastisol-based gel creates a wet, glossy look. It can add a watermark-style effect or highlight part of a design.
Consider it for: Glossy accents and subtle surface details.
Tell us which parts of the artwork should carry the clear finish.
Puff ink
Puff ink rises above the garment surface to give the print a raised, dimensional feel. It adds texture as well as visual interest.
Consider it for: Lettering and graphics with a textured finish.
Review the design detail and placement with our team. Explore puff screen printing.
Glow-in-the-dark ink
Glow-in-the-dark ink adds an effect designed to stand out in low light. Consider it as a creative detail for event shirts or themed merchandise.
Consider it for: Night-event graphics and playful custom designs.
Discuss the desired effect and garment before choosing this finish.
Choose the shirt behind your design
Start with these catalog options, then confirm the ink technique for your exact fabric and color. A product’s design tool may not list every specialty finish.
Gildan
Heavy Cotton™ T-Shirt
Style 5000 · 5.3 oz. · Pre-shrunk cotton
A practical cotton starting point for coordinated group shirts.
Best for: Crews, schools and event orders.
BELLA + CANVAS
Classic Jersey Tee
Style 3001 · 4.2 oz. · Combed ringspun cotton
A lighter jersey option with a contoured fit and soft feel.
Best for: Brand merchandise and everyday wear.
Comfort Colors
Garment-Dyed Heavyweight Tee
Style 1717 · 6.1 oz. · Ringspun cotton
A substantial, relaxed-fit shirt with a garment-dyed look.
Best for: Casual collections and relaxed group apparel.
Fabric blends can vary by color. Review current sizes, stock and your configured total on the product page. Specialty printing needs its own confirmed setup and quote.
DON’T SEE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?
Plan the print before you place the order
1. Pick your garment
First, choose the style, color and sizes. Tell us the quantity and whether the order combines different garments.
2. Share the finish
Next, send your artwork, print dimensions and locations. Name the ink effect you like or point to an example above.
3. Confirm & order
Then confirm compatibility, the complete decorated-shirt price and timing with our team. Use the agreed ordering plan to move ahead.
For larger runs, explore bulk t-shirt printing or our wholesale screen-printing service. Building a collection? See our clothing brand printing guide.
Your artwork, with local printing help
The Discovertee is a family-owned printing business serving the Los Angeles area. Bring us your design and the finish you have in mind. We can help connect the artwork, garment and printing plan.
Our physical shop is in San Fernando at 701 N Maclay Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340. Arrange pickup with our team and confirm when the order is ready before visiting.
People love us on Yelp!
Ink technique questions, answered
Which ink technique should I choose?
Start with the finish you want: soft, bold, reflective, raised or glossy. Then share the exact garment and artwork. Fabric, dye and design detail help determine which option suits the order.
Can every finish go on every shirt?
No. The fabric and shirt color affect the result. For example, discharge requires a suitable garment dye, while foil and puff have their own design considerations. Confirm the selected style before ordering.
What affects the price?
The garment, quantity, artwork, ink colors and print locations affect the quote. Specialty effects can change the setup. Request the full decorated-shirt price instead of using a blank-shirt price as your budget.
What is the minimum order?
Our published screen-printing minimum is 12 pieces. Ask how it applies to your selected technique and garment combination. See our screen-printing service details for more information.
What artwork should I send?
Send the original logo or design with the intended print size and locations. Include a reference for the finish you want. Our team can review the detail and explain any changes needed for production.
How soon can my shirts be ready?
Share your required in-hand date when requesting a quote. Timing depends on the garment, artwork, ink effect and production availability. We respond to quote requests within one business day; production timing is confirmed separately.
Find your shirt. Make the finish your own.
Explore the catalog to choose apparel, or send your artwork, quantity and preferred ink effect for help with a specialty order. We respond within one business day.