How Many Colors Can You Screen Print? Costs, Options & Pro Tips (Wichita Guide)

The Short Answer

Multi-color screen printing is routine. Each distinct ink color typically requires its own screen.
Designs with 1–3 colors are the best value, 4–6 colors remain common for merch and school/club wear, and 7–10+ colors are achievable with the right art and press setup.
We’ll recommend the most efficient approach for your quantity, garment color, and deadline.

Explore our Screen Printing service or see more options on the
Apparel Decoration overview.

Color Systems: Spot, Simulated Process & Index

• Spot Color – Solid inks (often mixed to Pantone). Crisp edges and bold logos. Best for 1–6 color graphics.
• Simulated Process – Utilizes carefully chosen spot colors with halftones to replicate photos on dark shirts, offering excellent vibrancy; fewer screens than full CMYK.
• Index Color – Dots of equal size “dither” colors, great for complex art with stable registration; can require more screens.
• CMYK Process – True four-color process on light garments for photo art. On darks, a white underbase is added first.

Printing on Dark Shirts (Underbase 101)

Dark garments absorb ink. We first print a white underbase, flash it, then lay colors on top.
This boosts brightness and accuracy but adds at least one screen and a flash step. Metallics or specialty inks may require their own tweaks.

Gradients & Halftones

Gradients are created with halftone dots, tiny dots that visually blend into smooth transitions.
On smooth fabrics (ringspun cotton, CVC) we can hold finer dots than on heavy fleece or coarse tees.
We’ll tune mesh counts and angles to keep blends clean while minimizing moiré.

Registration, Detail & Press Limits

• Registration is how precisely colors align. Fine outlines and tiny traps demand tight registration and stable garments.
• Minimum line weights: ~0.35–0.5 mm on smooth tees; go bolder on textured garments.
• Press colors: Capacity varies by press. We’ll confirm your art against our station count (including underbase and flashes).

How Color Count Affects Cost & Turnaround

Each color adds a screen, setup, and press time. That’s why simplifying art or consolidating similar hues can drop the price without losing impact.
For small runs with many colors, DTF/printed transfers can be more economical; for larger runs, traditional screen printing wins on cost per piece.

Artwork Prep: Files, Pantone & Separations

• Send vector (AI/EPS/PDF/SVG) for logos; provide spot colors (Pantone) for brand accuracy.
• Raster photos should be 300 ppi at the final print size; avoid upscaling tiny images.
• Separations – We’ll separate colors, set traps/chokes, and pick mesh counts. Proofs show you the ink stack before we print.

Want a quick review? Contact U.S. Logo for an art check and color plan.

FAQ

What’s the max number of colors you can print?

Practically, 10+ is possible, but we’ll confirm against press capacity and whether an underbase or specialty inks are needed.

Do more colors always look better?

Not necessarily. Wise color choices, halftones, and contrast often beat a higher color count, especially for logos and text.

How do colors affect price?

Each color adds a screen and setup. Consolidating hues or using halftones can reduce the number of screens and costs.

Can you match my brand colors exactly?

Yes. We mix spot inks to Pantone specs and test on your chosen garment color for accuracy.

What if my art has a photo and a flat logo together?

We may use a simulated process for the photo and spot colors for the logo—one print, two approaches optimized together.

External Resource

Industry association home page: PRINTING United Alliance.