SCREEN PRINTING

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Reliable, High-Quality Screen Printing For Brands That Care About Detail

SCREEN PRINTING

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Reliable, High-Quality Screen Printing For Brands That Care About Detail

GARMENT SCREEN PRINTING SPECIFICS

We offer professional screen printing in London for brands that value craft, colour, and consistency. Each print is produced with precision using high-quality inks, expertly prepared screens, and tight registration — designed to last, feel right, and reflect your brand’s attention to detail. Our process suits short and large runs alike, delivering durable prints across t-shirts, hoodies, and workwear with a clean, consistent finish.

WHEN TO USE SCREEN PRINTING

We offer professional screen printing in London for brands that value craft, colour, and consistency. Each print is made with precision using high-quality inks, expertly prepared screens, and tight registration — designed to last, feel right, and reflect your brand’s attention to detail.

Screen printing remains the most trusted method for garment decoration because it delivers vibrant colour, sharp detail, and long-lasting durability across a wide range of fabrics. It’s the best choice for larger runs, where consistent quality and cost efficiency matter most. From soft-hand water-based prints to bold plastisol finishes, this process offers full control over texture, opacity, and finish — producing garments that look professional and wear well.

screen printed t-shirt with bold colours

HOW SCREEN PRINTING WORKS

Every project begins by creating careful specifications followed by artwork separation and screen preparation. Each colour layer is exposed onto a fine mesh screen, then aligned and tested for precision. We mix inks to your exact Pantone colours before printing each garment either by hand or automatic press. Once printed, pieces are heat-cured to lock in colour and durability, then checked for consistency. The result — sharp, long-lasting prints with the depth and texture that define traditional screen printing.

t-shirt screen printing in action

WHY CHOOSE 3RD RAIL FOR DTG PRINTING

We’re one of London’s most experienced screen printing studios, trusted by fashion labels, creative agencies, and live event brands. Our process combines traditional craftsmanship with modern precision — we are specialists in both automatic and manual screen printing ensuring consistent colour, fine detail, and reliable delivery on every project. All screen printing, finishing, and quality checks take place in-house at our South London studio, giving you full control from first proof to final print.

t-shirt screen printing automatic

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF SCREEN PRINTING?

Screen printing remains the standard for professional garment production thanks to its control over colour, finish, and scale. It’s ideal for larger print areas and designs needing consistent coverage across many garments.

With specialist inks such as water-based, plastisol, and discharge, we can achieve textures and finishes suited to each fabric. The process also allows precise Pantone colour matching, keeping brand colours consistent across every run.

Screen printing delivers durable, vibrant results that last through repeated washing — making it the best choice for medium to large runs where quality and cost efficiency matter.

Printed garments stacked neatly beside screen printing carousel

NEED PROFESSIONAL PRINTING IN LONDON? LET’S PRINT YOUR NEXT DESIGN WITH PRECISION!

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SPECIALITY SCREEN PRINTING INK TYPES

FOIL PRINTING

FOIL PRINTING

Foil printing adds a metallic shine to garments using heat and pressure. We first screen print a clear adhesive, cure it, and then apply your chosen foil colour — from gold and silver to bold tones and holographic finishes. The result is a smooth, reflective surface that catches the light and gives designs a premium, eye-catching edge.

FLOURESCENT INKS

FLOURESCENT INK

Fluorescent inks create vivid, high-energy prints that react under UV light. These pigments absorb ultraviolet energy and re-emit it as bright visible colour, producing striking results on dark or neutral fabrics. Because the inks are semi-transparent, we usually print a white base layer to maximise brightness and contrast.

CRACKING INKS

CRACKING INK

Cracking ink gives garments an instant vintage or distressed look. A self-crack base is printed beneath the top layer of ink, which naturally fractures as it cures. The heavier the ink deposit, the larger and more dramatic the cracks — ideal for creating worn-in textures and retro graphics.

 
FLOCK PRINTING

FLOCK PRINTING

Flock printing adds a soft, velour-like texture to printed designs. The process begins with a screen-printed adhesive base, onto which fine fibres are applied before heat pressing. The finish feels raised and tactile, offering a rich contrast to flat inks — perfect for logos, lettering, or statement graphics.

METALLIC INK

METALLIC INK

Metallic inks combine finely ground metallic pigments with resin binders to produce a subtle, long-lasting shimmer. While not as reflective as foil, they offer a more durable finish suitable for repeated washing and everyday wear. Metallics work especially well for understated branding or layered with other inks for tonal highlights.

REFLECTIVE INK

REFLECTIVE INK

Reflective inks are made by suspending microscopic glass beads in a flexible binder. When exposed to direct light, the surface reflects illumination back to the source, increasing visibility at night or in low light. This effect is both functional and decorative, adding safety and standout appeal to activewear and outerwear designs.

puff printing

PUFF INK

Puff inks expand when cured under heat, creating a raised, 3D surface. The effect works best on bold, solid shapes or as an accent layer within a larger print. Puff adds dimension and texture to designs — ideal for statement logos or tactile detail in layered prints.

GLOW IN THE DARK

GLOW IN THE DARK INK

Glow in the dark inks use phosphorescent pigments that absorb energy and release it slowly as visible light. They charge under daylight or UV exposure and emit a soft glow in the dark. Available in several shades, green typically appears brightest to the human eye and delivers the strongest effect.

PLASTISOL INKS

PLASTISOL INK

Plastisol inks are oil-based and purpose-built for durable, vibrant garment printing. They produce bright, opaque colour that holds up across long runs and multiple washes. Plastisol is ideal for tonal or detailed designs, though it creates a slightly heavier feel than water-based inks and is less breathable.

WATERBASED INKS

WATER BASED INK

Water-based inks soak into the fabric fibres rather than sitting on top, leaving a soft, breathable finish with almost no texture. Best suited to light-coloured garments, they’re also a more environmentally friendly option. Colours may appear slightly muted over time, giving a relaxed, vintage look.

DISCHARGE INKS

DISCHARGE INK

Discharge printing uses a bleach-based activator to remove the garment’s dye where the design is printed, restoring the fabric’s natural base tone. Pigments are then added to recolour those areas, producing soft, vivid prints on dark cotton. The result feels almost weightless and is ideal for large prints with a smooth hand.

CMYK printing

CMYK INKS

CMYK screen printing recreates full-colour designs and photographic artwork using four transparent inks — cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Fine halftone dots overlap to form smooth gradients and natural tones.
This process is ideal for detailed or tonal prints where spot colours can’t achieve the depth required, producing soft, high-definition results with a professional finish.

COMPLIMENTARY GARMENT CUSTOMISATION SERVICES

Our range of premium blank garments, combined with embroidery and garment finishing services, supports every stage of your t-shirt printing project. From relabelling and tagging to stitched logos and soft-touch prints, we deliver a consistent finish that reflects your brand’s quality. All production takes place in our London studio, where print and embroidery come together under one roof — crafted to your exact specifications.

Bulk T-shirt Printing

BULK PRINTING

Screen printing is the most efficient method for bulk t-shirt production, delivering consistent quality across every garment. Ideal for large orders and repeat runs, it keeps unit costs low while maintaining sharp detail and vibrant colour. Perfect for events, retail collections, or branded uniforms.

fashion blank garments

GARMENTS

Start with the right base. We source premium blank garments from trusted suppliers including Stanley/Stella, AS Colour, and Continental Clothing. Each piece is chosen for its fit, comfort, and responsible production, giving your collection the same quality and finish as leading retail brands.

T-shirt showcasing garment finishes like inside neck prints, adding style and branding.

GARMENT FINISHING

Details make the difference. Our garment finishing services cover relabelling, inside neck prints, folding, bagging, and custom tags — everything needed to create a cohesive, retail-ready product. These finishing touches strengthen your brand presentation and ensure every item leaves our studio looking complete and consistent.

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We’d love to hear from you, so please get in touch with your enquiry so we can begin to process a quote. We offer a sampling service so please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.