Whether you're outfitting a Sea Isle lifeguard crew, ordering family-reunion shirts for the Avalon house, or printing 50 hoodies for a fall fundraiser, choosing the right apparel printing method matters more than most people realize. The wrong method on the wrong garment costs you money, time, or a bad-looking shirt. Here's the practical breakdown from our shop at 12 Route 50 in Ocean View.
The three methods we use — and when each one wins
1. Screen printing — best for 24+ shirts in 1–4 colors
Old-school, still the king. Ink is pushed through a mesh screen, one screen per color. Setup takes time, so it's not great for small runs — but once we're rolling, your per-shirt cost plummets on larger orders. Designs feel slightly raised and last forever. Perfect for team shirts, family reunions, charters, restaurant staff shirts, school events, beach bar swag.
2. Direct-to-Garment (DTG) — best for full-color, small batches
Think of it as a high-end inkjet that prints directly onto cotton. No setup fee, so 1 shirt costs the same per-piece as 12. Great for photographs, gradients, and detailed artwork. The trade-off: best on 100% cotton, and per-shirt cost stays the same as quantity grows — so by the time you hit 30+ shirts in a simple 2-color design, screen printing wins on price.
3. Heat-transfer vinyl (HTV) — best for names, numbers, and small text
A vinyl design is cut and heat-pressed onto the garment. We use it for jersey numbers, names on the back of staff shirts, and one-off custom orders. Bright, durable, and the only practical way to do individual personalization within a larger order.
What we print on the most around Ocean View
- Family reunion shirts for shore-house weeks in Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Sea Isle
- Restaurant and charter-boat staff shirts (heavyweight cotton, fade-resistant — salt air is rough)
- Real estate office shirts and giveaways for open houses and community events
- Youth sports teams and Little League across Upper Township and Marmora
- Fundraiser hoodies for schools, fire departments, and community groups
- Wedding-party gift shirts — popular for shore weddings
Pricing ballpark
What you can expect
These are typical 2026 ranges — your quote depends on garment, color count, and exact specs.
| 24 screen-printed T-shirts (1-color front) | $10–$14 each |
| 50 screen-printed T-shirts (2-color front) | $8–$11 each |
| 12 DTG full-color shirts | $16–$22 each |
| Hoodies (screen printed, 50+) | $28–$38 each |
| Add names/numbers on back | $3–$5 per piece |
Turnaround times
Most apparel orders ship in 7–10 business days from artwork approval. Rush is possible for urgent reunions or events — just call us and we'll be honest about what's doable.
What we need from you
- Artwork: vector files (.AI, .EPS, .PDF) are ideal. PNG works if it's at least 300 DPI at print size. JPEG screenshots from Instagram won't print sharp — bring us your best file and we'll tell you straight.
- Garment choice: we can recommend brands by price point (Gildan, Bella+Canvas, Comfort Colors, Champion). Bring a sample of a shirt you like and we'll match it.
- Sizes: a quantity-by-size breakdown.
- Deadline: the date you actually need them in hand.
No artwork? Not a problem. We have an in-house designer who can sketch a clean logo, choose fonts, and lay out your design. Bring a napkin doodle if that's what you've got.
FAQs
Can you match a specific Pantone color?
Yes for screen printing — give us the PMS code. DTG is process color (CMYK), so very close but not a perfect Pantone match.
Do you print on garments I bring in?
Sometimes, but we strongly recommend supplying garments through us — pricing is usually better and we can guarantee the result. If you bring your own, ask first.
Can you ship completed orders to my house or office?
Yes, we can ship anywhere in the US through UPS or FedEx — convenient for snowbirds who order shirts before heading south.
Ready to get started?
Call us at (609) 624-8750 or start an online quote — we'll have pricing back to you the same business day.
Start a Quote Call (609) 624-8750