Screen printing for mid- and high-volume apparel runs in Mexico
Screen printing remains the default decoration method for corporate merch programs in Mexico when the order exceeds 100 units and the artwork resolves cleanly in flat spot colour. We run plastisol cured at 160 °C for high-durability pieces and water-based ink for brands that want a softer hand and lower chemistry load. Every order is prepared with reusable screens, micro-registration and conveyor-belt curing so the last garment comes off the line matching the first.
How a screen-printing run is built
Each colour in the artwork is burned into its own screen using photo-sensitive emulsion over polyester mesh — for the bulk of corporate work we use 156 mesh (threads per inch), which lays down enough ink to make the colour read strongly without a stiff hand. Flat-colour artwork with bold typography and geometric shapes is screen printing's home turf; when the file contains fine halftones, hairline strokes or type below 8 points, it pays to thicken the art in pre-press or step up to DTF so detail does not get lost.
Curing is where a run is won or lost. Plastisol sits on top of the fibre until it receives heat, so the conveyor dryer needs to hold 160 °C for the full dwell time of the garment. For water-based ink the cure drops to 140 °C and the final hand is noticeably softer — though it does demand well-calibrated presses and humidity-controlled storage. On the shop floor we log the temperature with an infrared thermometer every hour and archive the parameter in the per-batch QA dossier.
What screen printing solves best
Event and staff tees
Runs of 100 to 5,000 pieces in one to four spot colours. The natural choice for staff tees at Centro Citibanamex, Expo Guadalajara, Cintermex Monterrey and WTC CDMX — where the brand colour has to read clearly at three metres and survive the post-event wash cycle.
Cotton and non-woven bags
12 oz canvas totes and non-woven PP bags for mass distribution at congresses and trade shows. Screen printing matches the corporate Pantone with higher fidelity than digital print on these substrates.
Three-position printing
Front, back and sleeve — the standard combination for BTL activation staff apparel, corporate sports teams and plant-floor uniforms. Each position adds screen setup and press time; we quote these separately so you can right-size the scope.
Special-effect inks
Metallic gold and silver, fluorescent ink, water-based high-density clear and discharge base for printing over dyed garments without changing the ink colour. Reflective ink is available on request for crew working on public roads.
Inks, substrates and technical considerations
For cotton and cotton-poly blends we use plastisol from the Union Ink or Rutland lines, or the Mexican equivalent that meets OEKO-TEX Standard 100 — important when the garment sits against skin through long shifts. For high-polyester blends (tri-blend, dry-fit) the recommendation is water-based screen print with a curing catalyst that locks the pigment to the synthetic fibre and prevents dye migration under perspiration.
Over dark colours, screen printing works with a white underbase that consumes one extra screen and adds a colour to the setup. Over light colours and white, no underbase is required. If you expect to combine runs in mixed colours within a single order, we plan for it from the brief to set the correct price per scenario. For runs that will see industrial laundering (kitchen uniforms meeting NOM-251, Pemex or CFE apparel), we specify high-opacity plastisol and reinforced cure that holds up under 60 °C wash cycles without cracking.
Pricing, MOQ and lead times
The cost-effective MOQ for a screen-printing run starts at 50 pieces. Below that the screen-setup cost does not dilute and ends up inflating the unit price — for runs of 10 to 40 units we recommend stepping up to DTF or DTG, neither of which requires a screen. The price structure includes pre-press (artwork, colour separation, screen burning), press setup, ink cost per colour, and cure. Quotes are issued in MXN ex-IVA; the 16% IVA is itemised on a CFDI 4.0 stamped by SAT against your RFC.
Standard lead time: 7 to 10 business days from artwork sign-off and deposit. Express line 4 to 5 days with a +30% surcharge. For annual programmes with a blanket purchase order, we run tiered pricing and a scheduled calendar so you can fire call-off POs without renegotiating. Runs with special garment dye add 5 to 7 additional days to coordinate dyeing before printing.
Logistics and delivery
Production runs out of workshops in Tlalnepantla, Naucalpan, Ecatepec and Cuautitlán Izcalli, with combined capacity of 30,000 pieces per week on screen printing. For CDMX and the metropolitan area we run same-day courier for orders closed before 11:00, and next-day to the rest of the country via Estafeta, Paquetexpress, FedEx or DHL México. For stand-side deliveries at Citibanamex, WTC, Expo Guadalajara, Cintermex and Palacio de los Deportes, we route with dock-window timing and notify the venue's logistics 24 hours in advance.
Standard packing is plastic-wrapped bundles of 50; if you need individual polybags with hangtag for gift presentation, that is quoted separately. For shipments bound for IMMEX free zones or export, we deliver with a copy of the pedimento and the input breakdown your customs broker needs for VAT credit.
FAQ — screen printing in Mexico
What is the cost-effective MOQ for screen printing?
50 pieces and up. Below that DTF or DTG is the better fit. Screen setup dilutes meaningfully from 100 pieces, where the per-ink cost starts to drop noticeably.
How many colours can you print?
Technically no cap, but every colour adds a screen and a press pass. The common range in corporate merch is one to four colours. For artwork with gradients or photography, screen printing loses its edge against DTF or DTG.
Can you print on coloured garments?
Yes — we use a white underbase that levels the tone before colour goes on. Over black, navy and red it looks excellent; over very saturated colours (turquoise, magenta) we evaluate on a sample because the contrast drops.
How durable is the print?
Properly cured plastisol withstands more than 50 home wash cycles without cracking. Water-based loses a little intensity in the first washes but stays soft. For industrial-wash uniforms we use high-opacity plastisol that survives 60 °C cycles.
Do you issue CFDI 4.0 invoices?
Yes — every quote is invoiced on a CFDI 4.0 stamped by SAT, with 16% IVA itemised, the complemento de pagos when you settle, and carta porte 3.1 when the shipment includes merchandise.
Request a screen-printing quote
Send us quantity, garment type, ink count and the date you need the batch in your office or at the event venue. If you already have vector artwork (.AI, .EPS or .PDF), attach it to the first email to speed up the quote; if not, we will walk you through pre-press recommendations at no cost.
Corp-Merch.MX is an independent apparel decoration and corporate merch workshop. We are not a partner, sponsor or official supplier of the textile brands, trade shows, venues or events referenced on this page. Trademarks and brand names belong to their respective owners and are mentioned solely for descriptive purposes to identify the production context.