Overview
You end up with merch you can sell with your name on it: prints that sit flat, colours that match what you approved, and stock that’s counted, packed, and ready to hand over at the door or ship.
I’ll turn your files and blanks into wearable stock, using the print method that fits the art and the deadline. You’ll sign off on a test before I run the order. If you want to move ahead, the next step is locking quantities, sizes, and artwork so I can book your slot.
I start with the due date and the garment, because both affect what will hold up after a few washes. Then I check the files for size, colour count, and fine detail, clean up anything that won’t separate cleanly, and pick the method that matches the art: screen print, DTF, DTG, or embroidery.
About me
I’m Mitch Rafter, and I run print and production at Hunter Screen Co. I got into merch printing by being the person who had to make last-minute tees happen, then realising the make-or-break part is almost always the file. I spend as much time fixing artwork and choosing a method as I do running presses.
People book me when they need a straight answer on what will print, what needs rebuilding, and what will survive wear. I’ll tell you early if a design is going to fill in, band, or lose detail at size, and I’ll show you a test before I commit to the full run so you’re not guessing from a screen.
How the order runs
Once you sign and pay the booking deposit, I lock in the production slot and start on garments and artwork. You’ll approve a print test or sew-out before I run the full order, and I’ll only print what you’ve signed off on.
1. Confirm the order On order You confirm quantities, sizes, garment choice, and delivery method. You send artwork files in whatever state they’re in. I reply with a garment recommendation and the print method for each design so you know what I’m setting up before any production time is spent. 2. Artwork and setup Within a week I clean up the files for print, rebuild anything that won’t separate cleanly, and prepare print-ready separations where screen printing is the right call. If the job suits DTF, DTG, or embroidery, I prep the files to the format those processes need. 3. Test and approval Before production I run a test print, transfer test, or embroidery sew-out at the size it will actually be worn. You approve colour and placement in writing. If you want changes after seeing the test, I’ll quote the change before I redo setup. 4. Production and pack-out On delivery I run the production, check cure and finish, then bag, label, and pack by size run so the count matches what you ordered. You get a boxed order that’s ready to sell, hand out at a show, or send to customers.
Garment printing
Printing on your chosen blanks using screen printing, DTF with heat pressing, or DTG, based on what the artwork and deadline allow for at wearable size.
ARTWORK CLEANUP
Cleanup of supplied files so they reproduce cleanly in print, including fixing jagged edges, thin lines, and small gaps that would fill in when printed.
PRINT-READY SEPARATIONS
Vector rebuild and separations for screen printing where needed, prepared to the final print size so fine detail and trapping behave on garment.
Embroidery coordination
Outsourced embroidery run with files supplied by you or prepped by me, then received, checked, and finished in-house on the supplied garments.
BLANK SOURCING AND PACKING
Sourcing of blank garments where required, then sorting, size run packing, and box-out so you can check quantities fast on arrival.
What it costs
These are typical starting points for merch printing, based on common run sizes and one print location. I’ll firm this up once I’ve seen the artwork and sizes.
Priced items
Getting started
If you want me to hold a production slot and start on artwork, sign below and I’ll book the job in.
1. Sign the proposal to confirm the order details and payment terms. 2. Pay 40% to book the work, with the remaining 60% due on delivery. 3. Send your artwork files and your size breakdown so I can start setup.
Signature
Fee summary
What’s the minimum order for screen printing?
For screen printing, the minimum is set by setup time, not the shirt. If you’ve got a small run, I’ll price screen print and also price DTF or DTG so you can pick the option that makes sense for quantity and deadline.
CAN YOU MATCH THIS PANTONE OR BRAND COLOUR?
I can match a Pantone as a target, and I’ll confirm the closest match on a test before production. Garment colour and fabric affect how ink reads, so the approval point is the printed test, not the value on a screen.
Will this artwork print as-is, or do you need it redrawn?
I’ll check it at the final print size and tell you what breaks first: tiny gaps, soft edges, or gradients that won’t separate cleanly. If it needs a redraw or vector rebuild, I’ll quote that work before I start.
WHAT’S THE TURNAROUND IF I NEED IT BY NEXT WEEKEND?
If you’ve got a hard date, tell me first and I’ll confirm whether I can hit it before you pay a deposit. Turnaround depends on approvals and garment availability, so I’ll give you a schedule with the sign-off points that control it.
Payment
To book merch printing, I invoice 40% up front when you sign off on the quote. The remaining 60% is invoiced on delivery. Every invoice is payable within 14 days of its date.
Quote scope. This quote covers the methods and quantities listed. If the art changes, the number of print locations changes, or sizes/garments change, I’ll confirm the updated price in writing before I start the extra work.
Artwork approval. Production starts after you approve the printed test for colour and detail at the final print size. Screen colour matching is based on that test on the actual garment, not a screen proof or file preview.
Garment supply. If I’m sourcing blanks, the schedule depends on supplier stock. If you’re supplying garments, they need to arrive counted and grouped by size, with a few spares for testing and misprints.
Turnaround dates. If you have a hard deadline, I’ll confirm it in writing before you pay the deposit. Turnaround moves when approvals are late or blanks are out of stock, because I can’t print or pack what I don’t have sign-off on.
Print variation and care
Small shifts in colour and placement happen across garments and sizes, especially on different fabric blends. I follow the correct cure for the ink, and I’ll share wash-care notes so prints stay wearable.
Misprints and remakes. If I misprint or the cure check fails, I’ll reprint the affected pieces at my cost. If the issue comes from the supplied file, late changes, or customer-supplied garments, I’ll price the remake before proceeding.
Delivery and collection. Delivery means the order is packed and ready for handover or shipping as agreed in the quote. Once it’s collected or dispatched, I’m not responsible for delays or damage in transit, but I’ll help lodge a claim where possible.
Outsourced embroidery. Embroidery is stitched by an external partner, then supplied back to me for checking and pack-out. I’ll confirm the stitch proof for your approval before the bulk run, and the schedule depends on their queue.
