DO It Printing: Screen Printing, Embroidery, and Custom Apparel in Columbia

What DO It Printing Offers

DO It Printing is a screen printing and embroidery shop in Columbia that produces custom apparel, promotional items, and branded merchandise for individuals, small businesses, and organizations. The shop handles design work, printing, and embroidery in-house, which means you can see samples and make changes before your final order ships.

The shop works with cotton t-shirts, hoodies, hats, tote bags, and other blank apparel as a base. They also print on promotional items like koozies, water bottles, and drinkware. If you arrive with a design already made, they can print it; if you need design help, they offer that service as well. Turnaround time depends on order size and current workload, so calling ahead is worth doing before you commit to a deadline.

Key Takeaways

• DO It Printing handles screen printing, embroidery, and heat transfer work on apparel and promotional products, all completed at their Columbia location.
• You can bring a finished design or work with their design team to create one that fits your vision and budget.
• The shop works with businesses, nonprofits, event organizers, and individuals ordering anything from a single custom shirt to bulk orders for company uniforms or fundraisers.
• Pricing varies by item type, quantity, number of colors, and design complexity, so getting a quote requires contacting them directly with your specifications.
• Visiting in person lets you see fabric samples, discuss design details, and understand turnaround time before placing an order.

Screen Printing vs. Embroidery: Which Works for Your Project

Screen printing works best for designs with bold colors, large coverage areas, and orders of multiple identical items. The process pushes ink through a mesh screen onto fabric, creating a flat, durable finish. It is cost-effective for bulk orders because the setup cost spreads across many units. If you are ordering 50 t-shirts for a company event or a fundraiser, screen printing is usually the faster and cheaper route.

Embroidery stitches thread directly into fabric, creating a raised, textured look that feels premium and lasts through many washes. It works well for polo shirts, hats, jackets, and smaller logos or text. Embroidery costs more per item and does not scale down as much as screen printing does, so it makes sense for smaller orders or items where durability and appearance matter most—like branded work uniforms or gifts for board members.

Heat transfer printing is a third option DO It Printing offers. It works for photographic images, complex multi-color designs, or small orders where screen printing setup would be wasteful. The design is printed onto special transfer paper and then pressed onto the garment. Ask about this method if your design has gradients, photographs, or many colors.

Working with DO It Printing on Your Design

If you have a finished design—a logo file, artwork from a designer, or even a sketch—bring it to DO It Printing and they will assess whether it works for your chosen method. Digital files in common formats (PDF, PNG, AI, EPS) are easiest to work with. If your file needs adjustments for printing, the shop can handle that or recommend changes.

If you do not have a design yet, DO It Printing's design team can create one based on your description, budget, and timeline. This is useful if you have a concept but no designer, or if you need help translating an idea into something that will print well. Discuss your vision, any brand colors or fonts you want to match, and whether you need multiple versions (like a front and back design).

The shop can also help you choose the right garment for your project. A heavy-weight cotton tee holds detail better than a lightweight one. A structured hat takes embroidery differently than a soft cap. Their experience means they can steer you toward options that will look good and hold up over time.

Pricing and Order Minimums

Pricing at DO It Printing depends on several factors: the type of garment, the printing method, the number of colors in your design, the size of the print area, and how many units you are ordering. A single custom t-shirt costs more per unit than ordering 100 identical shirts. Embroidery costs more than screen printing for small orders but the per-unit cost gap narrows as quantity grows.

Most screen printing shops have a minimum order quantity—often 12 to 24 units for a single design—though DO It Printing may work with smaller orders depending on the project. Embroidery minimums are typically lower. The best way to understand cost is to contact them with your specific needs: garment type, design details, quantity, and deadline. They can give you a quote and explain what drives the price.

Turnaround Time and Deadlines

How fast DO It Printing can complete your order depends on their current workload, the complexity of your design, and whether you need design work done first. A straightforward reprint of an existing design might take a few days. A new design plus printing for a large order might take two to three weeks. Rush orders are sometimes possible but usually cost more.

If you have a specific event date or deadline, tell DO It Printing when you first contact them. They can tell you whether they can meet it and what that means for your budget. It is better to know upfront that a rush fee applies than to discover it after placing the order.

Who Uses DO It Printing

Small businesses use DO It Printing for employee uniforms, branded merchandise to give clients, and promotional items for trade shows or events. Nonprofits order t-shirts for fundraisers, volunteer uniforms, and awareness campaigns. Schools and sports teams order spirit wear and team apparel. Event organizers print shirts for conferences, festivals, and community gatherings.

Individuals order custom gifts, reunion t-shirts, family reunion apparel, and personal projects. Wedding parties sometimes use custom apparel for bachelor and bachelorette events. The shop's in-house capabilities mean they can handle one-off requests as easily as bulk orders, though pricing and turnaround reflect the scale of the work.

Visiting DO It Printing in Person

Stopping by the shop in Columbia lets you see fabric samples, discuss your design in detail, and get a real sense of turnaround time and cost before committing. You can ask questions about which printing method suits your design, see finished examples of past work, and understand what your final product will look like. The team can also show you garment options and help you choose the right weight, fit, and style for your project.

If you cannot visit in person, you can contact them by phone or email with photos of your design, details about what you want to print, and your timeline. They can walk you through the process and answer questions remotely, though seeing samples in person is always helpful if you have time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own blank shirts to print on?

Most screen printing shops prefer to source their own blanks because they know the quality and how the fabric takes ink or thread. Ask DO It Printing directly—some shops will work with customer-supplied garments for an additional fee, while others do not. It is worth asking if you have a specific brand or style in mind.

What file format do I need for my design?

Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) are ideal because they scale without losing quality. High-resolution image files (PNG, JPG at 300 DPI) work too. Avoid low-resolution images from the internet or social media—they will look blurry when printed large. Contact DO It Printing with your file and they can tell you if it needs adjustments before printing begins.

How many colors can I print in one design?

Screen printing can handle multiple colors, but each color requires a separate screen, which adds to the cost and setup time. Two to four colors is common and cost-effective. More colors are possible but become expensive. Embroidery and heat transfer can handle unlimited colors in a single design. Ask DO It Printing which method makes sense for your design and budget.

What is the smallest order you will take?

Minimums vary by printing method and design complexity. Screen printing typically has a higher minimum (12 to 24 units) because of setup costs. Embroidery and heat transfer may accept smaller orders. Contact the shop with your quantity and they can tell you whether it works and what the cost will be.

Can you print on items other than clothing?

Yes. DO It Printing prints on promotional items like koozies, water bottles, hats, tote bags, and drinkware. Not every item works with every printing method, so describe what you want to print on and they can tell you what is possible and what it costs.