Spot Process Screen Printing

Spot Process Screen Printing is a premium technique in our custom apparel services, designed to reproduce full-colour designs with rich detail using spot colors. By carefully separating your artwork into halftone dot patterns, this method simulates gradients, shadows, and complex tones—making it ideal for intricate and multi-colour designs.

It combines the durability and professional finish of traditional screen printing with the ability to bring vibrant artwork and smooth transitions to life on fabric. For designs that require both precision and bold color, spot process screen printing offers a standout solution. At Coastal Reign, we're committed to producing high-quality results that stay true to your creative vision—ensuring every piece is printed with clarity, accuracy, and impact.

High-quality results

• Spot process screen printing creates incredibly detailed images with smooth gradients and subtle color shifts, making it ideal for photographic or illustration-heavy designs.

Long-lasting prints

• Produces long-lasting prints that resist cracking, fading, and peeling—even after repeated washes.

Cost-effective for specific designs

• More affordable than digital printing when used for designs that don’t require full-colour or photo-realistic output.
• Great for artwork that can be broken down into a few distinct spot colors.

Unique visual aesthetic

• Produces a distinct, grainy, vintage-style look that stands out.
• Often favoured for retro-inspired or stylized designs where texture and character are valued.

Color accuracy can be inconsistent

• Spot process printing may not perfectly match the intended color palette, especially with gradients or subtle tones.

High setup cost for small orders

• Economies of scale apply — small batches are much more expensive than digital printing due to the labor-intensive setup.

Complex and time-consuming setup

• Not well-suited for tight deadlines or last-minute jobs.
• Rush jobs are difficult to accommodate due to the lengthy setup process, as each color layer requires separate preparation and precise alignment.

Not ideal for detailed photo imagery

• Best used with graphic or vector-style artwork.
• Photo-realistic images often lose detail or depth with this method.

Material limitations

• Spot process printing is best suited for cotton fabrics such as cotton-poly blends, and combed or ring-spun cotton.
• Doesn't work well on materials like polyester, nylon, and tri-blends.

To keep your spot process printed t-shirt looking great for years to come, follow these simple care guidelines:

Wash inside out: Turn your shirt inside out before washing to reduce friction and protect the print from fading or cracking.

Use cold water and gentle cycles: Always wash in cold water using a gentle or delicate cycle to prevent excessive wear on both the fabric and the ink.

Avoid harsh detergents and bleach: Stick to mild detergents and steer clear of bleach or fabric softeners, which can break down the print over time.

Hang dry or tumble dry on low: Air drying is best to preserve the print, but if you use a dryer, choose a low heat setting. High heat can cause the ink to deteriorate or crack.

Do not iron directly on the print: If ironing is necessary, place a cloth between the iron and the design or iron the shirt inside out to avoid damaging the print.

Avoid dry cleaning: Spot process prints don’t hold up well under the chemicals used in dry cleaning — stick with home laundering for best results.