Large Scale Clothing Printing Tips

Maximise Your Screen Printing Budget: Tips for Large Volume Orders

Securing the best price for large scale clothing printing orders is paramount for any business looking to maintain a healthy bottom line. If you’re an independent artist, promotional agency, clothing brand or in the licensed product industry to name a few, following simple steps to make the expenses in your merchandise supply decrease can make a significant difference to your overall expenses.

Here are some key strategies to ensure you get the best deal on your next bulk order.

1. Plan Ahead

Time is money, and this is especially true when it comes to placing large volume orders. By providing your supplier with ample lead time, you allow them to optimise their production schedule and avoid rush fees. Planning ahead enables you to take advantage of any early bird discounts or promotions that might be offered by the supplier. At Teesh, we work alongside our customers to come to an agreement on turnover days based on our capacity and your needs.

Additional Tips for Planning

Create a production calendar: Map out your yearly needs and plan orders accordingly.
Consider seasonal demands: Place orders for seasonal items well in advance to avoid last-minute rushes.
Communicate with your supplier: Regular check-ins can help you stay informed about upcoming promotions or potential supply chain issues.

2. Consolidate Your Garment Printing Orders

Bundle your garment orders together to increase the overall volume, which will decrease the per-unit costs. The higher the volume of the order in screen printing, the lower the cost, especially with designs that have a low colour count. This is because in screen printing, there are screen charges, unlike direct to garment(DTG) printing, which has no set-up fees and is better for low quantity orders under 50 units. Here at Teesh, we’ll be transparent about our pricing and competitive quality.

Strategies for Consolidation

Combine orders from different departments or clients if possible.
Consider standardising designs across product lines to increase volume for specific prints.
Look into creating a “core” line of products that can be ordered in larger quantities.

3. Be Clear About Your Requirements

Clearly communicate your expectations regarding the quality, quantity, and timeline of your order. Providing detailed specifications upfront can help prevent misunderstandings and costly revisions later on. Sampling is a great way to establish your requirements, and being open to suggestions on ways to optimise the printing process without compromising on quality.

Tips for Clear Communication

Provide detailed design files in the correct format (vector files are preferable for screen printing).
Specify exact Pantone colours if colour matching is crucial.
Discuss any special printing requirements (e.g., oversized prints, specialty inks) early in the process.

4. Negotiate

Ultimately, you are in ownership of your brand image, and finding the fairest price that actually translates to quality to showcase it is arguably the most important step for customers looking for the perfect supplier. Things like volume discounts for significant orders, long-term contracts or agreements for regular orders and colour count revisions are to name a few.

Negotiation Strategies

Ask about bulk order discounts and at what quantities they kick in.
Inquire about loyalty programs for repeat customers.
Discuss the possibility of pre-paying for orders to secure better rates.
Consider signing a long-term contract in exchange for preferential pricing.

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5. Explore Alternative Materials

Alternative garment materials or printing techniques than you may have originally planned or utilised might be the better option. We’ll always ensure that you’re getting the right print at the best quality possible, because it’s our service working alongside your requirements and budget. We offer garment sourcing too, which is a great way to utilise a 360° service from your supplier.

Considerations for Materials

Compare costs and benefits of different fabric blends (e.g., 100% cotton vs. poly-cotton blends).
Ask about eco-friendly options, which might appeal to your target market and justify a higher price point.
Discuss how different materials might affect print quality and durability.

6. Build a Strong Relationship

A mutually beneficial relationship with your screen printing supplier based on trust, transparency and collaboration is ideal. A strong partnership can lead to better pricing, exclusive offers and broadening connections in your industry.

Relationship-Building Tips

Maintain open lines of communication, even when you’re not actively ordering.
Provide feedback on completed orders to help improve future collaborations.
Consider referral partnerships or collaborative marketing efforts.

7. Optimise Your Design for Cost-Efficiency

The complexity of your design can significantly impact the cost of screen printing.
Here are some ways to optimise your design for cost-efficiency

Reduce the number of colours: Each colour in screen printing requires a separate screen and setup. By limiting your design to fewer colours, you can significantly reduce costs.
Use larger print areas efficiently: If you’re paying for a large print area, make sure you’re utilising it fully. This can help you get more value for your money.
Consider using halftones: This technique can give the illusion of more colours or shades while using fewer actual ink colours.

Teesh Recommends:

Large Volume Orders

Screen Printing ensures long-lasting, consistent prints, great for large volume orders. Our automatic screen printing press machinery allows for thousands of prints a day. It’s a great way to utilise express delivery options, too.

Need Low Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)?

Opt for direct to garment printing (DTG). Great for print on demand services and sampling options.

Printed Garment Finishing Services and Delivery

We’re proud to offer a 360° service, so from start-to-finish of the production line, we provide personalised consultancy and support on your orders with no extra hidden fees.

Remember, the key to success in bulk ordering is a combination of careful planning, clear communication, and building strong relationships with your suppliers. At Teesh, we’re committed to helping you achieve the best possible results for your budget, ensuring that your brand shines through in every print.