Screen printing companies work for a variety of clients

CEDAR RAPIDS - Screen printing has been around for several years, it but has been gaining a do-it-yourself popularity in recent years.

'I like to joke that you shouldn't try this at home,” said Shawn Gallagher, owner of Adcraft Printing Co. in Cedar Rapids. 'It's not as easy as it seems.”

Gallagher, who has been in the screen printing business for more than two decades, noted that, 'Printers definitely need to think through all that offering screen printing entails before they jump into it.

'While there are many ways to produce on the cheap, even in a garage or basement, you are putting your company's reputation on the line with every project you undertake, and there are many things that can go wrong with a screen print project. It is harder than it looks.”

Gallagher said screen printing, while distinct, does have similarities in terms of routing the process through his company as any other offset printing project the company might produce.

'You need screens or plates and ink, as well as someone has to watch over the process from start to finish,” he said.

Because screen printing offers a nearly unlimited number of options in terms of fabric, colors and styles of apparel, Gallagher said the first step with customers is to determine on what they will be printing.

'Price is determined not only by the item and quantity to be screen printed, but also by the number of colors in the design,” Gallagher added. 'We can help design the artwork and offer advice on the best ways to print a desired imprint.

'Many times a customer might bring in an idea for a six-color imprint and we can advise a way to cut it to, say, three colors to save money while maintaining the desired look.”

Screen printing only makes up about 15 percent of their overall business - Adcraft also handles brochures and letterhead to vinyl decals and yard signs, among other services.

Customers for screen printing projects can be as varied as the screen printing options.

'We primarily work with business clients and schools, but we also do a large number of small orders for special occasions like weddings, reunions or recently, Lego League teams,” Gallagher said.

Adding technology

Creative Design Promotions, based in Hiawatha, got into the screen printing business about six years ago and has added a technological enhancement to its offerings that can help improve the process of ordering for their customers.

'At Creative Design we create custom online storefronts which are an easy way for our customers to promote their products while providing an easy way for ordering and distribution,” said Kara Hotchkiss, chief creative officer.

Creative Design's business model is made up of about 60 percent screen printing, with the rest consisting of custom embroidery services and promotional items. Hotchkiss said the online component has streamlined the process.

'Imagine you are the head of a sports club and your team needs to purchase a T-shirt,” she said. 'In the past, the organizer would pass out paper order forms, gather the correct ordering information, such as sizes, and collect payment and order forms for processing. Then, when the order arrived, the organizer would have to sort the order, verify everything is correct and then distribute the items. In addition, the organizer would have to chase down any outstanding balances.

With the online process, the printer provides a website URL to those who need to place an order.

'Each individual can order what they need and will get the item delivered to them,” Hotchkiss said. 'There are no more paper forms, collecting payment and no minimum quantities. People can just get online and order what they need.”