Southern Graphix and Custom T-Shirts in South Carolina

What Southern Graphix Does

Southern Graphix is a screen printing and custom apparel shop based in South Carolina that creates printed t-shirts, hoodies, and other garments for individuals, small businesses, sports teams, and organizations. They handle the design work, printing, and production in-house, meaning you can order anything from a single shirt to bulk quantities for events, fundraisers, or merchandise.

The shop works with customers who come in with finished designs, those who need design help, and those starting from scratch. They use screen printing as their primary method, which means the ink is pushed through a mesh screen onto the fabric — a process that produces durable, vibrant colors that hold up through many washes. For smaller orders or more complex multi-color designs, they may also offer direct-to-garment printing or other techniques depending on what you need.

Key Takeaways

• Southern Graphix prints custom t-shirts and apparel in-house using screen printing and other methods, serving individual customers and bulk orders alike.
• You can bring a finished design, work with their design team to create one, or start with an idea and have them develop it.
• Screen-printed shirts are durable and cost-effective for bulk orders, while other printing methods work better for single items or highly detailed designs.
• Turnaround time and pricing depend on order size, design complexity, and the printing method used — contacting the shop directly gives you accurate quotes.
• Southern Graphix serves local customers, teams, nonprofits, and businesses looking for branded merchandise or event apparel.

How to Order a Custom Shirt

Start by contacting Southern Graphix directly with details about what you want: the quantity, the garment type (t-shirt, hoodie, tank top), the color, and whether you have a design ready. If you have artwork, bring it as a digital file — vector files (like .ai or .eps) work best because they scale without losing quality, but high-resolution .jpg or .png files can work too.

If you don't have a design yet, tell them what you're looking for. They can work with a rough sketch, a description, or even just a concept, and their design team can create something custom for you. Once the design is finalized and you've approved it, they'll give you a price quote based on the printing method, number of shirts, and any setup fees. Screen printing typically has a higher setup cost but lower per-shirt cost for large orders, while direct-to-garment printing costs more per shirt but has little to no setup fee.

Screen Printing vs. Other Methods

Screen printing is the traditional method Southern Graphix likely specializes in. It works well for bold, solid colors and designs with limited color separation. The ink sits on top of the fabric and creates a tactile feel. Setup involves creating a separate screen for each color, so the upfront cost is higher, but once the screens are made, each additional shirt costs very little. This makes screen printing ideal for large orders — 50 shirts, 200 shirts, 500 shirts — where the per-unit cost drops significantly.

Direct-to-garment printing (DTG) works like an inkjet printer for fabric. It can handle photorealistic images and unlimited colors without additional setup. There's no screen fee, so it's better for small orders or one-off custom shirts. The ink sits slightly into the fabric rather than on top, and the colors can be softer than screen printing. DTG is more expensive per shirt but faster for single items or small batches.

Some shops also offer heat transfer printing, where a design is printed onto transfer paper and then pressed onto the shirt with heat. This method is quick and works for detailed designs, but the transfer can crack or peel if the shirt is washed frequently or dried on high heat.

Pricing and What Affects the Cost

The price of a custom shirt depends on several factors: the printing method, the number of shirts, the design complexity, the garment quality, and any special requests. Screen printing typically costs less per shirt for large orders but charges a setup fee per color — that might be $25 to $50 per screen, depending on the shop. Once screens are made, each shirt might cost $5 to $10 in labor and ink.

Direct-to-garment printing has no setup fee but costs more per shirt — often $12 to $20 per garment depending on design size and color coverage. A basic blank t-shirt might cost $3 to $6 depending on quality and where it's sourced; premium blanks cost more. Rush orders or expedited turnaround typically add a fee.

The best way to know what you'll pay is to contact Southern Graphix with your specific order details. Prices vary by shop, and getting a quote directly is faster and more accurate than guessing.

Preparing Your Design for Printing

If you're bringing your own artwork, format matters. Vector files (.ai, .eps, .pdf) are ideal because they're made of mathematical lines and curves that scale infinitely without pixelating. If you only have a raster image (.jpg, .png), make sure it's at least 300 dots per inch (DPI) at the final print size — a small, low-resolution image will look blurry when enlarged onto a shirt.

Think about color separation if you're doing screen printing. Each color requires its own screen, so a design with five colors means five screens and five passes through the press. Simpler designs with fewer colors cost less to produce. If your design has fine details, gradients, or photorealistic images, direct-to-garment printing handles those better than screen printing.

Southern Graphix can advise you on whether your design will work well with your chosen method and may suggest adjustments to make it print better or cost less. Bring your file in and ask — they've printed thousands of designs and know what works.

Bulk Orders for Teams, Events, and Organizations

Southern Graphix handles bulk orders for sports teams, school groups, nonprofits, company events, and fundraisers. Bulk pricing is usually tiered — 25 shirts might be one price per unit, 50 shirts another, and 100 shirts lower still. The larger the order, the more the per-shirt cost drops, especially with screen printing.

For team or event orders, you'll want to plan ahead. Screen printing requires time to set up screens, and large orders take time to produce. A typical turnaround for a bulk order might be one to three weeks depending on the shop's current workload and the complexity of your design. If you need shirts for a specific date, mention that when you contact them so they can tell you whether they can meet your deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a design from another printer or online service?

Yes. If you've already paid for a design from a graphic designer or online tool, you can bring that file to Southern Graphix and have them print it. Just make sure you own the rights to use it and that it's in a format they can work with — vector files are best, but they can often work with high-resolution raster images too.

How long does it take to get my shirts?

Turnaround depends on order size, design complexity, and how busy the shop is. Small orders might be ready in a few days; large bulk orders can take one to three weeks. Rush services may be available for an additional fee. Contact Southern Graphix with your timeline and they'll let you know what's possible.

What if I want to order just one or two shirts?

One or two shirts are possible but may cost more per shirt than a larger order because there's no volume discount. Direct-to-garment printing is usually the most cost-effective method for very small quantities. Screen printing has a setup fee that doesn't change whether you order one shirt or ten, so the per-shirt cost is higher for tiny orders.

Can I see a sample before I commit to a large order?

Many custom print shops will produce a sample or proof before you commit to a full run, especially for bulk orders. Ask Southern Graphix whether they offer this — it's a good way to see how your design looks on the actual garment and catch any issues before printing 100 shirts.

What's the difference between a cheap blank shirt and a premium one?

Cheap blanks are thinner, may shrink more, and wear out faster. Premium blanks use higher-quality cotton or cotton blends, feel softer, hold their shape better, and last longer through washing. For a one-time event shirt, a basic blank is fine. For something people will wear regularly, a better-quality blank is worth the extra cost.