FAQ | Great Northern Screen Printing & Embroidery

Question 1

What is the minimum order quantity for screen printing?

Accepted Answer

Our minimum for screen printing is 12 pieces per design. Screen printing involves setting up screens for each color, so larger quantities help keep your per-piece cost down. For orders under 12 pieces, embroidery or direct-to-garment options may be a better fit — just ask.

Question 2

Is there a minimum for embroidery?

Accepted Answer

No minimum on embroidery — we'll do a single piece if that's what you need. Embroidery is great for hats, polos, jackets, and bags at any quantity.

Question 3

Can I mix sizes within an order?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can mix sizes (S through 4XL) within a single order and still meet the minimum. Just let us know your size breakdown when you request a quote.

Question 4

Can I order multiple designs on the same garment?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Front chest, back, sleeve, and left chest are all common print locations. Each additional print location is priced separately, but we'll include everything in your quote upfront.

Question 5

Do you supply the garments, or do I bring my own?

Accepted Answer

We supply the garments through our wholesale suppliers (SanMar, S&S Activewear, alphabroder, and others). You're welcome to browse our Catalogs page to pick a style. We can also print on customer-supplied garments in some cases — just ask and we'll let you know if it's a good fit.

Question 6

How long does a standard order take?

Accepted Answer

Standard turnaround is 7–10 business days from artwork approval. This covers most screen printing and embroidery orders. Larger or more complex orders may take a bit longer — we'll always give you an honest timeline upfront.

Question 7

Do you offer rush orders?

Accepted Answer

Yes, rush turnaround (3–5 business days) is available depending on our current schedule and order size. Rush orders carry an additional fee. Contact us as early as possible if you have a hard deadline — the sooner we know, the better we can plan.

Question 8

When does the turnaround clock start?

Accepted Answer

Turnaround time starts once we have approved artwork and a confirmed order (deposit or payment). Delays in artwork approval will push back your ship date, so we recommend getting your files to us early.

Question 9

Can you guarantee a delivery date for an event?

Accepted Answer

We do our best to hit event deadlines and have a strong track record. Tell us your event date when you request a quote and we'll let you know right away if it's achievable. We'd rather be upfront than leave you scrambling.

Question 10

What file formats do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Vector files are strongly preferred: AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS, or PDF with outlined fonts. These scale to any size without losing quality. We also accept high-resolution PNG or TIFF files (300 DPI or higher at print size). Low-resolution JPEGs from the web are generally not usable for printing.

Question 11

What if I don't have a vector file?

Accepted Answer

No problem — we offer in-house artwork services. We can redraw or vectorize your logo for a one-time fee. Once it's done, you'll own the file and can use it anywhere. Just send us what you have and we'll let you know what's needed.

Question 12

How many colors can my design have?

Accepted Answer

For screen printing, each color in your design requires a separate screen. Most orders are 1–4 colors, which keeps costs manageable. More colors are possible but increase setup costs. Full-color or photographic designs may be better suited for direct-to-garment printing — ask us what makes sense for your project.

Question 13

Do you provide a proof before printing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, always. We send a digital proof for your approval before we touch a single garment. Nothing goes to print until you sign off. Please review proofs carefully — changes after approval may delay your order.

Question 14

Can you help design my artwork from scratch?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer basic design services for customers who need help creating or refining artwork. Share your idea, any reference images, and your color preferences and we'll put something together. Design fees vary by complexity — we'll quote it alongside your order.

Question 15

How is screen printing priced?

Accepted Answer

Screen printing pricing depends on the number of pieces, number of print colors, number of print locations, and the garment itself. Setup (screen) fees apply per color and are a one-time charge per order. The more pieces you order, the lower your per-piece cost — bulk orders are where screen printing really shines.

Question 16

How is embroidery priced?

Accepted Answer

Embroidery is priced by stitch count — the more stitches in your design, the higher the cost per piece. A standard left-chest logo runs roughly 5,000–8,000 stitches. There's also a one-time digitizing fee to convert your artwork into an embroidery file, which you keep for future orders.

Question 17

Do you charge for setup or digitizing?

Accepted Answer

Screen printing has a per-color screen setup fee, charged once per order. Embroidery has a one-time digitizing fee to create your stitch file — after that, re-orders use the same file at no extra charge. We include all fees transparently in your quote.

Question 18

Can I get a price estimate before committing?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's exactly what our quote request is for. Fill out the form on our Contact page with your quantity, garment type, and design details and we'll send you a full itemized quote, usually within one business day. No obligation.

Question 19

Do you offer discounts for large orders or nonprofits?

Accepted Answer

Volume pricing applies automatically — the more you order, the lower your per-piece cost. We also work with schools, booster clubs, and community organizations regularly and try to keep pricing fair for everyone. Mention your organization when you reach out.

Question 20

What items can be embroidered?

Accepted Answer

Almost anything with a stable surface: hats, beanies, polos, dress shirts, jackets, hoodies, bags, towels, and more. Very stretchy or very thin fabrics can be tricky — we'll let you know if a garment isn't a good candidate.

Question 21

What is digitizing and do I need it?

Accepted Answer

Digitizing is the process of converting your artwork into a stitch file that the embroidery machine reads. Every new design needs to be digitized once. We handle this in-house. If you've had a design digitized elsewhere and have the DST or EMB file, you may be able to skip this step — just send it over and we'll check compatibility.

Question 22

How detailed can an embroidered design be?

Accepted Answer

Embroidery works best with clean, bold designs. Very fine lines, small text under about half an inch, and complex gradients don't translate well to stitching. Our team will flag any issues during the digitizing process and suggest adjustments if needed.

Question 23

Can I embroider on hats?

Accepted Answer

Yes — hats are one of our most popular embroidery items. Structured caps (like baseball caps) embroider beautifully. Unstructured or very soft hats may have some limitations on design size and placement. We'll advise based on the specific style you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Orders & Minimums

Turnaround & Rush

File Requirements & Artwork

Pricing

Embroidery