Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Screen Printing Services in Chicago, IL

Our Recommended Top 15

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Chicago Screen Printing Services on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

653Reviewed

397Curated

15Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Blue Island, IL 60406

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (64)
Facebook
4.8 (32)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Marathon Sportswear is a screen printing company that was established in 1979. Their services include screen printing and embroidery of various types of apparel such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, tech shirts, Dri-fit, shorts, polos, jackets, and the like. Marathon Sportswear has a 4.2-star rating based on customer reviews on their Facebook page.

Chicago, IL 60622

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
3.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Gabriel Enterprises is a full multi-color silk screen printing and embroidery brick and mortar shop in Chicago that has been in business for over 40 years. They offer screen printing and embroidery services to various kinds of apparel. Gabriel Enterprises has provided their services to big companies such as Chicago Public Schools, Xfinity/Comcast, Walgreens, and RCN.

Chicago, IL 60609

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.8 (58)
Google
4.6 (37)
Yelp
4.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Culture Studio is a screen printing business located in Chicago, IL. Their services include printing, embroidery, fulfillment, full garment database, and graphic designs for different kinds of apparel. Culture Studio has a creative design art department that has an award winning color separation team.

Glenview, IL 60026

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (14)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Fitness Wear, Inc. is a screen printing company in Glenview that has been in business for over 30 years. They offer screen printing services for school athletics, sports teams, businesses, organizations and events, artists and private labels, as well as gifts and costumes. Fitness Wear has a 4.9-star rating based on customer reviews on their Facebook page.

Chicago, IL 60642

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (81)

Why choose this provider?

Inoprints is a print management company located in Chicago that was established in 2008. They offer printing services for t-shirts, signs, and various kinds of print media. Inoprints is a member of the Advertising Specialty Institute and was ranked the #1 printing company from 2013-2014 by Yelp.

Chicago, IL 60657

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (47)
Google
4.7 (17)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Shirts Illustrated, Inc. is an apparel printing and embroidery company located in Chicago, IL. Their services include printing and embroidery of shirts, caps, shorts, jackets and the like as well as promotional products and advertising specialties. Shirts Illustrated is a BBB accredited business with an A+ rating.

Chicago, IL 60612

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (24)
Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Luckyprints is a traditional screen printing shop located in Chicago that has been in business since 2012. Their services include printing, embroidery, and finishing of various apparel and promotional items. Luckyprints strives to use leading printing methods in the industry to offer a broad range of printing options for their customers.

Niles, IL 60714

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (41)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

J Printing Center is a printing company in Niles that has been operating for more than 20 years. Their services include offset, digital, screen, and pad screening, designs, and prepress. A large number of satisfied customers state that J Printing Center has significantly contributed to the improvement and success of their business.

Woodridge, IL 60517

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (46)

Why choose this provider?

Scrappy Apparel Company is an apparel printing company in Woodridge that has been in business since 2006. Their services include jumbo, custom, water based, and discharge screen printing, four color process printing, embroidery, sublimation printing, cut and sew hats and apparel, as well as private labeling. Scrappy Apparel is committed to delivering exceptional services by using high-quality inks on exceptionally comfortable shirts at a fair price that are delivered on time.

Chicago, IL 60637

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

MyTees2 is a screen printing company in Chicago that has been in business since 2008. They offer screen printing services for t-shirts, hoodies, sweats, school and business jackets, social club gear, business advertisements on shirts, and sponsors. MyTees2 has a 5-star rating based on customer reviews on Facebook.

Chicago, IL 60640

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (40)
Yelp
3.5 (34)
Facebook
3.7 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Bulldog Printing is a full service printing company in Chicago that was established in 1998. Their services include on-demand printing, garment printing, graphic design, one-hour photo gifts, and lamination. Bulldog Printing has a 3-star rating based on customer reviews on Facebook.

Chicago, IL 60630

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (40)

Why choose this provider?

Replica Chicago is a full-service custom and original screen printing shop established in 2007. They offer high-quality and eco-friendly silk screen printing services for shirts and other apparel. Replica Chicago was voted Most Loved Shop by Time Out Chicago's Local Love Awards and won the Best Retail award by The 45th Ward.

Chicago, IL 60290

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (179)

Why choose this provider?

Chicago's Custom Apparel Co. is a full service screen printing company that has been in business since 1985. Their services include embroidery, screen printing, direct to garment, all over printing, and water base clothing. Chicago's Custom Apparel Co. has won various awards such as the Webby Award, Decorators Award, Full-Color Process Award, and All Over Printing Award.

Chicago, IL 60638

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (36)
Google
4.7 (11)
Yelp
3.5 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Art-Flo Screen Printing & Embroidery is a family owned and operated screen printing and embroidery company in Chicago that was founded in 1958. They offer their services for t-shirts and other apparel, as well as promotional items. Art-Flo was a licensee of Major League Baseball and has printed for various teams such as the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, and Wolves.

Chicago, IL 60618

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (214)
Yelp
5.0 (68)
Facebook
5.0 (52)

Why choose this provider?

Barrel Maker Printing is a screen printing business that was established in 2009. Their services include quality screen printing, premium embroidery, printing classes, promo products, and live printing. Barrel Maker Printing has a 4.7-star rating based on customer reviews on Facebook.

Compare our Top Screen Printing Services

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Marathon Sportswear
Blue Island, IL 60406
Gabriel Enterprises
Chicago, IL 60622
Culture Studio
Chicago, IL 60609
Fitness Wear, Inc.
Glenview, IL 60026
Inoprints
Chicago, IL 60642
Shirts Illustrated, Inc.
Chicago, IL 60657
Luckyprints
Chicago, IL 60612
J Printing Center
Niles, IL 60714
Scrappy Apparel Company
Woodridge, IL 60517
MyTees2
Chicago, IL 60637
Bulldog Printing
Chicago, IL 60640
Replica Chicago, Inc.
Chicago, IL 60630
Chicago's Custom Apparel Co.
Chicago, IL 60290
Art-Flo Screen Printing & Embroidery
Chicago, IL 60638
Barrel Maker Printing
Chicago, IL 60618

FAQs

  • What is screen printing?

    Screen printing is a method of applying graphics to a T-shirt. It typically involves layering thick inks onto the shirt's surface instead of soaking them into the fabric. Screen printing is also sometimes called silk screening.

    Since screen printing generally uses thicker inks, this type of fabric printing is usually better for graphics with one or two colors. If you have more complicated, colorful graphics, direct to garment printing, or DTG, may be a better option.

    Major fabric printing methods include:

    • Screen printing or silk screening

    • Direct to garment printing

    • Stamp printing

    • Thermal transfer printing

    • Sublimation transfer printing

  • How does screen printing work?

    Screen printing works by using a silkscreen with an exposed design. Ink is swiped across the screen with a squeegee tool, and this action sends the ink design through the screen and onto the T-shirt.

    When graphics are printed onto a T-shirt using screen-printing techniques, the colors are sometimes allowed to dry between color applications, and subsequent colors are printed with another screen after the T-shirt is realigned on the press.


  • What is silk-screen printing?

    Traditionally, screen printing has been called silk-screen printing because originally, silk was the primary material used in the process. The mesh portion of the screen was made of silk. In modern times, synthetic threads are commonly used in the silk-screening process, with polyester being one of the most popular choices. Nylon and stainless steel are also used in some screen-printing applications.


  • How do I start screen printing?

    If you want to try screen printing at home, you can do it with a little bit of practice and some basic materials. To get started with screen printing, you may need:

    • A screen, usually made of polyester

    • Photo emulsion

    • A 150W light bulb

    • A screen-printing squeegee

    • Fabric paint

    • Two pieces of glass

  • How can I print T-shirts?

    To print T-shirts at home, you can try the screen-printing method described above. To print a lot of shirts, you may consider using a screen-printing company.

    While the exact steps and process varies by company, in general, you can expect to provide the T-shirt company with your desired design, either electronically or in person. You can choose other options, and the screen-printing company typically sends you a mock-up of what the finished design will look like; Then, after you approve it, they produce it according to your specifications.


  • How can I make a custom T-shirt?

    If you'd rather not go the screen-printing route, you can customize T-shirts in other ways.

    • Heat transfers, which involve using a printing machine and heat press machine to transfer designs to fabric

    • Embroidery, which involves intricate stitching using thread and special needles

    • Direct to garment (DTG) digital printing, a process that uses a special inkjet printer with special ink to print designs onto the fabric directly

    • Engraved roller printing, a process that involves dye being applied to fabric that’s passed through rollers engraved with designs in a printing machine

  • How do I design a T-shirt?

    When you design a T-shirt, there are a lot of factors to consider. Most of the time, screen-printing companies will ask you to submit a high-resolution file of the design you want printed. Sometimes, the company has in-house graphic designers who can create a design for you based on your specifications or ideas.

    Here are a few suggestions for optimizing your T-shirt design:

    • Ensure any text is readable, and you can do this by selecting the right fabric and paint color combination

    • Consider creating a contrast between your chosen T-shirt color and the screen-printing ink

    • Make sure the type size is big enough to read from a distance