Best Screen Printing in Chicago
Inspiration
4
min read

Best Screen Printing in Chicago

Read along with us as we dive into a list of the best screen printers and embroiderers in Chicago.

Chicago, the bustling metropolis known as "The Windy City," is a place of architectural marvels, culinary delights, and creativity and innovation hub. Amid this dynamic cultural backdrop, Chicago boasts some of Illinois's finest screen printing services.

Whether you're a local business owner seeking to promote your brand, an event organizer planning to leave a memorable impression, or an individual with a penchant for personalized apparel, Chicago's screen printing offerings are as diverse and vibrant as the city.

This in-depth exploration will delve into Chicago's vibrant world of screen printing. We'll take a closer look at the top screen printing establishments in the city, where quality, creativity, and customer service reign supreme.

We assume you've found this article because you are local to Chicago, searching for a business to create custom threads for you and your brand or organization, right?

Whether you're a local business owner looking to promote your brand or an individual seeking custom apparel for personal expression, screen printing is a popular choice. 

We've been in the industry for over a decade and are always interested in learning about the nationwide screen printing fam, so it's exciting to share some of the best options with you. 

We're here to share some of the best screen printers in Chicago, IL. 

We compiled a list of some of the most highly-rated print shops on Google and added a bit of a background context about each shop so you get to know them a bit. 

*Note: These are in no particular order; they all had great reviews, so we wanted to share them with you.

Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's get into it. 

Now, for some of Chicago, IL's most highly-rated screen printers.

REAL THREAD

Okay, so maybe you know, or you don't. BUT Real Thread is based in sunny Orlando, FL.

You may think, "Wait, this is an article about Chicago, isn’t it?"

That is correct. HOWEVER- Real Thread ships nationwide, helping many businesses in Illinois and beyond. 

SO… Let us be the first to tell you that Real Thread is here to be your one-stop shop for all things custom apparel.

Real Thread screen prints with water-based inks. These inks are superior to the industry standard ink (plastisol ink). What's the main difference between the two?

Instead of coating the shirt with a thick layer of plastic, water-based inks dye the garment directly with your print. The ink soaks into the garment's fibers, dying your design INTO the shirt instead of onto it. This results in a super soft and long-lasting impression (literally AND figuratively). 

Real Thread also offers embroidery, fulfillment, and a wide range of add-on services that set us apart from your average print shop. We even have glow-in-the-dark ink that'll make you say "OOOH" and "AHH" and things of that nature.

OH. AND DOG BANDANAS. YEAH. WHO WOULDN’T WANT THAT?!

Humble brag, we had to. But now, for the rest of the list, are you ready? Let’s get into it.

THREADLESS

Situated in the heart of Chicago, Threadless is a renowned name in the custom apparel and screen printing industry. What sets Threadless apart is its commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly printing practices. They offer many services, including screen printing, embroidery, and direct-to-garment printing. With a team of highly skilled designers, Threadless excels in creating unique and visually striking designs. The quality of their prints is a testament to their dedication to artistry and environmental responsibility.

BARREL MAKER PRINTING

Nestled in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood, Barrel Maker Printing is another creative partner for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional products. They have earned a reputation for delivering high-quality custom apparel and merchandise to businesses, schools, and event planners with a team that prioritizes friendly and experienced customer service.

STRANGE CARGO TEES

Located in the heart of Wrigleyville, Strange Cargo Tees has stood as a beloved screen printing institution in Chicago for decades. Their expertise encompasses custom printing various apparel items, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats. Whether you need a single custom t-shirt or bulk order for a high-profile event, Strange Cargo’s commitment to quality and dedication to serving individuals and businesses has solidified its reputation. 

ONE HOUR TEES

As the name implies, One Hour Tees delivers speedy turnaround times without sacrificing quality. Located in the heart of Chicago, their expertise spans screen printing, embroidery, and digital printing. What sets them apart is their knack for managing rush orders. 

Whether for a time-sensitive event, a business needing immediate promotional materials, or an individual with a last-minute personalized apparel request, One Hour Tees ensures you receive quality prints in record time. Think about them being like the Jimmy John’s of custom apparel- freaky fast.

SNAPPY PRINTING + GRAPHICS

Snappy Printing + Graphics proudly serves all kinds of industries regarding custom-printed goods. They can service your custom needs on various items, including signs, banners, apparel, drinkware, window graphics, stickers, details, embroidery, posters, and more. PLUS, they offer graphic design services if you need help with that kind of thing. 

METHOD PRINTING

Method Printing is a Chicago-based shop providing high-end screen printing and embroidery services. They were founded on the idea that their shop should be as approachable and educational as possible for their clients. 

This core belief pushes Method to research and develop as many methods of garment customization to meet any customer's needs. They also work closely with each client to understand and fulfill their expectations. They offer screen printing, embroidery, finishing, and graphic design services.

So now you know about some of the best screen printers and embroiderers in Chicago (and beyond).

What's next? 

You may have questions about pricing, what garments best suit your custom apparel projects, brand names, etc. Now that you know some of the best places to screen print in Chicago, IL, we want to help further your education on custom apparel perfection.

Our team has over a decade of experience under their belt (or should we say under their t-shirts), and they are always available to talk tees with you. We want to help simplify the process and get your project GOIN'. 

Check out our t-shirt buyer's guide, a free resource to help you learn more about customizing some cool threads. Real threads, if you fancy. *wink*

This will be a helpful little "something" to reference while checking out your online print shop options. We also always have our team available to ask any questions. 

Okay, friends, we're here if you need us. 

Custom T-Shirt Buyer's Guide Mockup

Get our free Custom T-Shirt Buyer's Guide

A 25+ page how-to guide full of tips, tricks, and money-saving recommendations.
Thank you! Check your email, the guide is headed your way!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.