Southern Screen Print & Embroidery: Custom Apparel and Merchandise in the Midlands

What Southern Screen Print & Embroidery Does

Southern Screen Print & Embroidery is a custom apparel and merchandise shop in Columbia that prints and stitches logos, designs, and text onto clothing, hats, bags, and other items. The business handles both screen printing—which uses ink pushed through a mesh screen onto fabric—and embroidery, which stitches designs directly into material using thread. They work with individuals, small businesses, nonprofits, sports teams, and organizations that need branded merchandise, event giveaways, uniforms, or one-off custom pieces.

The shop is located in the Midlands area and serves customers across the Columbia region and beyond. They can work from your own design, help you develop one, or modify existing artwork to fit your project. Whether you need 10 shirts for a local fundraiser or 500 units for a corporate event, the shop can discuss quantities, timelines, and pricing based on what you're ordering.

Key Takeaways

• Southern Screen Print & Embroidery offers both screen printing and embroidery services on apparel, hats, bags, and promotional items.
• They work with custom designs you provide or can help you create or refine artwork for your project.
• The shop serves individuals, small businesses, nonprofits, sports teams, and organizations of all sizes.
• Pricing and turnaround time depend on the quantity you order, the complexity of the design, and the items you choose.
• You can contact the shop directly to discuss your project, get a quote, and learn about available options and timelines.

Screen Printing vs. Embroidery: Which Method Works for Your Project

Screen printing is best for designs with bold colors, large areas of solid color, or detailed artwork that looks good on a flat surface. The process is cost-effective for medium to large orders because the setup cost spreads across many units. Screen-printed designs sit on top of the fabric and feel smooth to the touch. This method works well for t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, and other flat-surfaced items.

Embroidery creates a raised, textured design by stitching thread into the fabric itself. It looks professional and polished, making it ideal for polo shirts, hats, jackets, and items where durability and a premium appearance matter. Embroidered pieces often feel more substantial and formal than screen-printed ones. Embroidery works best with simpler designs, solid colors, and logos—fine details or thin lines can be harder to stitch clearly. The cost per unit is higher, but embroidery is often worth it for smaller orders or items meant to last through heavy use.

Southern Screen Print & Embroidery can advise which method suits your design, budget, and timeline. Some projects use both—for example, a screen-printed design on the front of a shirt and an embroidered logo on the back.

What You Need to Bring or Prepare

Before you contact the shop, gather or prepare the following: a clear description of what you want (the design, colors, placement on the item, and quantity), any artwork or logo files you already have, and the type of item you want printed or embroidered (t-shirt, hat, bag, jacket, etc.). If you have a design file, formats like PDF, AI (Adobe Illustrator), or high-resolution PNG or JPG work best.

If you don't have artwork yet, bring a sketch, a photo of a design you like, or a detailed written description of what you're imagining. The shop can work with that to create or refine a design. You'll also want to know your budget range and when you need the finished items—this helps the shop tell you whether your timeline is realistic and what it will cost.

For embroidery, keep in mind that very small or very detailed designs may not stitch clearly, so simpler artwork often works better. For screen printing, the shop can handle complex designs, but they'll let you know if color count or detail affects the price.

Ordering Process and Timelines

Start by contacting Southern Screen Print & Embroidery with your project details. You can discuss your design, the items you want, quantities, and your deadline. The shop will give you a quote based on the complexity of the work, the number of items, and how soon you need them finished.

Turnaround time varies. Rush orders are often possible but may cost more. Standard orders typically take one to two weeks or longer, depending on how busy the shop is and how many items you're ordering. Once you agree on price and timeline, you'll place your order, and the shop will begin production. Most shops ask for payment upfront or a deposit before starting work.

The shop will keep you updated on progress and let you know when your order is ready for pickup or shipping. If you're local to the Columbia area, pickup is usually an option. For orders outside the region, the shop can arrange shipping or discuss options with you.

Pricing Factors and Budget Planning

The cost of custom merchandise depends on several things: the type of item (a t-shirt costs less than a jacket), the quantity (larger orders have a lower per-unit cost), the complexity of the design (more colors or detail costs more), and the printing or embroidery method. Screen printing typically becomes more affordable as quantity increases, while embroidery costs are often more consistent per unit regardless of order size.

Setup fees may apply, especially for screen printing, because the shop has to prepare screens for your design. These fees are usually divided across all the items in your order, so they matter less on large orders. Embroidery setup is often minimal or included.

To get an accurate quote, contact the shop with specifics: the exact item (brand and style if possible), the number of pieces, your design details, and your deadline. This lets them give you a real price rather than a guess. Many shops offer discounts for larger quantities, so ask about pricing breaks if you're ordering 50, 100, or more units.

Types of Items You Can Customize

Southern Screen Print & Embroidery can work with a wide range of items beyond basic t-shirts. Common options include polo shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, hats and caps, beanies, tote bags, drawstring bags, aprons, towels, and blankets. Some shops also offer custom merchandise like koozies, patches, or promotional items—ask what's available.

The item you choose affects both the look and the cost of your finished product. A logo on a polo shirt looks different than the same logo on a t-shirt, and embroidery on a hat brim requires different skill than embroidery on a flat chest area. The shop can show you samples or examples of past work to help you visualize your finished order.

Why Local Businesses and Organizations Choose Custom Merchandise

Custom apparel and merchandise serve real purposes in South Carolina's business and community landscape. Local nonprofits use branded t-shirts and hats for fundraising events, volunteer uniforms, and donor recognition. Small businesses give embroidered polo shirts to employees or branded tote bags to customers. Sports teams, school groups, and community organizations order matching shirts for events, competitions, or team identity. Corporate offices use custom merchandise for client gifts, trade shows, or employee recognition.

Choosing a local shop like Southern Screen Print & Embroidery means you can walk in, see samples, discuss your vision face-to-face, and build a relationship with someone who understands your community. Local shops often offer faster turnaround on rush orders and can troubleshoot problems quickly because you're not dealing with a distant vendor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order just one or two items, or do I have to order in bulk?

Most custom shops can do small orders, though the per-unit cost will be higher than for bulk orders because setup fees aren't spread across many items. Ask Southern Screen Print & Embroidery about their minimum order quantities—some have minimums of 6 or 12 items, while others can do smaller runs. For a single custom piece, embroidery is often more practical than screen printing.

How long does it take to get my order?

Standard turnaround is usually one to two weeks, but it depends on how busy the shop is and how many items you're ordering. Rush orders are often possible for an extra fee. Contact the shop with your deadline, and they'll tell you whether it's realistic and what it costs. Always ask about turnaround before you place your order.

What if I don't have a design file?

You don't need a professional design file to start. Bring a sketch, a photo of something you like, or a detailed description of what you want. The shop can create or refine artwork based on that. There may be a design fee if they're doing significant custom work, so ask upfront what that costs.

Can I see samples of past work before I order?

Yes. Most custom shops have portfolios, samples, or photos of previous projects. Ask to see examples of screen printing and embroidery work, especially on the type of item you're ordering. This helps you understand quality and see whether the shop's style matches what you want.

Do you offer shipping, or do I have to pick up locally?

Many shops offer both pickup and shipping options. Ask Southern Screen Print & Embroidery about shipping costs and whether they can send your order to an address outside Columbia. For large or heavy orders, shipping may be significant, so get a quote before you commit.