What Is Contract Screen Printing?

If you’re in the screen printing industry or work with promotional products, you’ve likely heard the term contract screen printing. But what exactly does it mean?

At our shop, not only do we print directly to the customer, we also offer contract screen printing services for resellers, promotional companies, and other businesses that need a reliable print partner.

Let’s break down what contract screen printing is and how it works.

What Is Contract Screen Printing?

Contract screen printing is a service where a reseller — such as a promotional products company, marketing agency, or clothing brand — hires a print shop to handle the actual printing work.

Instead of selling directly to the end customer, the print shop acts as a fulfillment partner.

Here’s how it works step by step:

1. A reseller (like a promo company) reaches out to us for our decorating services.

2. They drop ship the blank tees (or other garments) directly to our warehouse.

3. We screen print the design that the reseller sends over.

4. Once completed, we blind ship the finished order directly to the reseller’s customer — meaning our name never appears on the packaging.

5. The reseller pays us for the decoration services, and optionally, for extras such as folding, bagging, labeling, or drop shipping to multiple addresses.

This process allows resellers to focus on sales and customer service while we handle production and logistics behind the scenes.

Why Businesses Use Contract Screen Printing

There are many reasons companies choose contract printing instead of printing in-house.

1. Cost Savings

Building and maintaining a print shop requires significant investment in equipment, labor, and space. Contract printing lets resellers avoid those costs while still offering custom merchandise.

2. Scalability

Whether it’s a small 50-piece order or a 10,000-shirt campaign, a contract screen print shop can handle the volume efficiently.

3. Professional Quality

Because contract print shops specialize in printing, you can expect consistent quality, color accuracy, and fast turnaround times.

4. White Label Service

Blind shipping means the reseller’s customer never sees the printer’s information — all packaging, shipping labels, and packing slips carry the reseller’s branding only.

5. Added Fulfillment Services

Many contract printers also offer individual folding, bagging, relabeling, and drop shipping to multiple customers on the reseller’s behalf.

How the Contract Screen Printing Process Works

Let’s walk through a typical contract order workflow:

1. Artwork Submission – The reseller sends print-ready artwork and order details (sizes, placements, colors, etc.).

2. Garment Shipment – Blank tees are drop shipped to our warehouse directly from the supplier (like SanMar or S&S Activewear).

3. Production Setup – We prepare screens and mix inks to match the reseller’s design specifications.

4. Printing & Quality Check – Each garment is printed, cured, and inspected for quality.

5. Finishing Services – Optional services like folding, bagging, tagging, or packing by size are completed.

6. Blind Shipping – The completed order is shipped directly to the reseller’s customer, with no mention of our shop anywhere on the box.

Who Benefits from Contract Screen Printing?

Contract printing is ideal for:

• Promotional product companies

• Marketing agencies

• Independent clothing brands

• Event organizers

• Corporate merch distributors

Basically, any business that sells decorated apparel but doesn’t want to run its own print facility can benefit from these services.

Why Choose a Professional Contract Printer

Choosing the right contract printer can make or break your business relationships. Here’s what to look for:

• Experience and consistency – A proven track record of handling large orders.

• Attention to detail – Proper color matching, registration, and finishing.

• Communication – Clear updates and fast responses.

• Blind shipping reliability – Ensuring your brand remains front and center.

• Flexible fulfillment options – Folding, bagging, relabeling, or multi-address shipping.

Partnering with the right shop lets you confidently offer high-quality merch without worrying about the printing process.

FAQs About Contract Screen Printing

Do customers know who printed their order?

No — when we blind ship, your customer only sees your brand information on the package.

Can I send my own garments?

Yes! You can drop ship blanks directly to our warehouse, and we’ll print on them.

What if I need custom packaging?

We can include your custom labels, packing slips, or inserts in the shipment.

Do you only print t-shirts?

While tees are the most common, we can also print on hoodies, tanks, tote bags, and more.

Can I have multiple orders shipped to different addresses?

Yes — we offer split shipments and drop shipping to multiple customers on your behalf.