We Print Nation: Screen Printing and Custom Apparel in South Carolina

What We Print Nation Does

We Print Nation is a screen printing and custom apparel shop based in South Carolina that handles orders for individuals, small businesses, organizations, and events. They print designs onto t-shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, and other fabric items using screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) methods. The shop works with customers to move from design concept through production, and they accept both one-off orders and bulk runs.

The business operates as a local printer rather than a national fulfillment service, which means you work directly with the shop on your project timeline and specifications. They handle the technical side—color separation, screen setup, ink selection, curing—so you don't have to learn those steps yourself.

Key Takeaways

• We Print Nation prints custom designs onto apparel and accessories using screen printing and direct-to-garment methods, serving individual orders and bulk quantities.
• You can bring a finished design or work with the shop to develop one, depending on what you need and what services they offer.
• Screen printing works best for simple, bold designs with fewer colors, while direct-to-garment printing handles photographic and multi-color designs on individual items.
• Pricing and turnaround time depend on the method, the number of colors in your design, and whether you're ordering one shirt or one hundred.
• Contact the shop directly to discuss your project, get a quote, and confirm they can meet your timeline and budget.

Screen Printing vs. Direct-to-Garment: Which Method for Your Project

Screen printing is the traditional method: the shop creates a separate screen for each color in your design, then pushes ink through each screen onto the garment one color at a time. This method is cost-effective for bulk orders (50 shirts, 100 shirts, 500 shirts) because the setup cost spreads across many items. The finished print is durable and holds up through many washes. Screen printing works best for designs with solid colors and clean lines—logos, text, simple graphics.

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing works like an inkjet printer: the machine sprays ink directly onto the fabric. This method is better for small orders, photographic images, and designs with many colors or gradients, because there's no screen setup cost per color. You can order one shirt with a complex design without paying for multiple screens. The trade-off is that DTG is more expensive per item when you're ordering in bulk.

We Print Nation likely offers one or both methods. The choice depends on your design, your quantity, and your budget. A local band ordering 200 t-shirts for a tour would use screen printing. Someone ordering a single custom gift with a photo would use DTG.

How to Start a Project with We Print Nation

Contact the shop directly—by phone, email, or in person if they have a physical location—and describe what you need: the item (t-shirt, hoodie, tote bag), the quantity, and your design. If you have a finished design file (vector art, high-resolution image), have it ready. If you don't, ask whether the shop offers design services or can work from a sketch, photo, or description.

The shop will discuss your options, explain which printing method makes sense for your project, and provide a quote. Pricing varies based on the garment cost, the printing method, the number of colors, and the quantity. Turnaround time also varies—a single DTG shirt might be ready in days, while a large screen-printed order might take one to two weeks depending on the shop's schedule.

Once you agree on price and timeline, you'll typically provide payment and any final design approvals. The shop handles production and will contact you when your order is ready for pickup or shipment.

Design Considerations Before You Order

If you're bringing your own design, know that screen printing and DTG have different requirements. Screen printing needs a design that can be separated into individual colors—think of a logo with distinct red, blue, and white sections. DTG can handle photographic detail and gradients, but the image quality depends on the resolution of your original file.

Color choice matters too. Screen printing inks look vibrant on light-colored garments but may not show well on dark fabric without a white underbase (an extra layer of white ink underneath). DTG handles dark garments more easily. If you're unsure whether your design will work, the shop can advise you during the consultation.

File format also matters. Vector files (Adobe Illustrator, EPS, PDF) are ideal for screen printing because they scale without losing quality. High-resolution raster images (JPG, PNG at 300 DPI) work for DTG. Ask the shop what format they prefer before you finalize your design.

Bulk Orders and Business Use

We Print Nation handles orders for businesses, nonprofits, sports teams, event organizers, and other groups that need branded apparel. Bulk pricing typically decreases as quantity increases—ordering 50 shirts costs less per shirt than ordering 10. The shop can discuss volume discounts and may offer options like different colors or styles within a single order.

For business or event use, plan ahead. Large orders take longer to produce, and the shop may have a lead time before they can start your project. Providing a clear deadline and confirming it with the shop prevents last-minute stress. If you need shirts for an event in three weeks, say so upfront so the shop can tell you whether they can meet that timeline.

Pricing and What Affects Your Quote

The final cost of your order depends on several factors: the base price of the garment (a basic t-shirt costs less than a premium hoodie), the printing method (screen printing setup vs. DTG per-item cost), the number of colors in your design, and the quantity you're ordering. A single-color screen print on 100 t-shirts costs far less per shirt than a single-color screen print on 10 t-shirts, because the screen setup cost is divided among more items.

We Print Nation will provide a detailed quote that breaks down these costs. If the price is higher than you expected, ask about alternatives: fewer colors, a different garment, or a smaller quantity. Sometimes adjusting one variable makes the project fit your budget.

Turnaround Time and Pickup or Shipping

Turnaround time—how long from order to finished product—varies. A small DTG order might be ready in three to five business days. A large screen-printed order might take one to three weeks depending on the shop's current workload. We Print Nation will give you a specific timeline when you place your order.

Ask about pickup and shipping options. Some shops offer local pickup, which saves money and gets your order to you faster. Others ship nationwide. Shipping costs depend on the weight and destination. If you're ordering for an event or deadline, confirm the delivery date in writing so there's no confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order just one shirt with a custom design?

Yes, especially if We Print Nation offers direct-to-garment printing. DTG works well for single items because there's no screen setup cost. Screen printing is less economical for one shirt, but some shops will do it if you're willing to pay for the screen. Ask the shop what they recommend for your quantity.

What if I don't have a design yet?

Contact We Print Nation and ask whether they offer design services. Many screen printing shops can create a design from your description, sketch, or ideas. There may be an additional fee for design work. If they don't design in-house, they can recommend a designer or tell you what file format to provide if you hire one yourself.

How long do screen-printed shirts last?

Screen-printed designs are durable and typically last through many washes if cared for properly. The ink bonds to the fabric during curing, so it won't crack or peel easily. Washing inside-out and avoiding high heat extends the life. DTG prints are also durable but may fade slightly faster than screen prints over many years.

Can I order different colors or styles in one batch?

Yes. We Print Nation can print the same design on different colored shirts or different garment styles in a single order. Let them know during the consultation so they can adjust the quote and timeline accordingly. This is common for events, teams, or businesses that want variety within one order.

What's the minimum order quantity?

Minimum quantities vary by shop and printing method. Screen printing often has a minimum (such as 12 or 24 shirts) because of setup costs. DTG typically has no minimum. Contact We Print Nation directly to ask about their minimums for your specific project.