Randy's Screen Printing

Either call us or fill out an inquiry form on our website to receive a free quote. We look forward to hearing from you!

An underbase is a white ink layer that covers the entire design area and is printed first before any other colors. This layer helps maintain color accuracy and opacity, especially when printing on dark garments.

Screen printing inks are relatively thin and not highly opaque, allowing colors to blend and mix when printed. This also enables printing through finer mesh screens, resulting in better detail and a softer feel. When using plastisol inks on dark fabrics, a white underbase layer is typically applied first as an "undercoat" before adding colored inks. This ensures the design remains vibrant on dark garments. Similar to a primer used when painting a wall, the underbase creates a smooth, sealed surface for optimal color application.

An underbase is needed when the ink color is lighter than the garment color, except for white and light/pastel garments. We can provide guidance on this during the quoting process.

If your design consists of white ink only, we only need to create one screen, eliminating extra screen setup fees. However, to achieve full brightness and opacity, white ink requires two coats. This is done by printing the first layer, partially ‘flash curing’ it with a quartz dryer, and then applying the second coat using the same screen. While there is a slight cost difference compared to printing black ink on a white shirt due to the additional coat, the cost remains minimal since only one screen is needed.

If your design consists only of white ink, we only need to create one screen, meaning you won’t incur additional screen setup fees. However, white ink requires two coats to achieve full brightness and opacity. This is done by printing the first layer, partially ‘flash curing’ it with a quartz dryer, and then applying the second coat using the same screen. While this results in a slight cost difference compared to printing black ink on a white shirt, the cost remains minimal since only one screen is needed. In short, yes—visible white areas in your design still require two coats. Some print shops cut corners by printing the entire image in white twice before layering colors on top. While this keeps the white portions bright, it also results in an unnecessarily thick print, making it more prone to cracking and wear over time. Excess ink buildup can also create a shiny, tacky appearance, especially with plastisol inks. For example, if your design includes red, blue, green, and white on a black t-shirt, the correct process is to print the entire image in white once as an underbase, flash dry it, and then print the remaining colors (red, blue, green, and white) on top. This ensures a high-quality, even print that looks great straight out of the box and stays that way over time.

Randy's Screen Printing offers screen printing, embroidery, logo reproduction, and more custom apparel solutions.

The shop is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 2 PM, with production hours from 7 AM to 5 PM Monday to Thursday and 6 AM to 2 PM on Fridays.

You can place an order by calling them or filling out an inquiry form on their website to receive a free quote.

An underbase is a white ink layer printed first to maintain color accuracy and opacity, especially on dark garments, ensuring vibrant and detailed prints.

An underbase is needed when printing lighter ink colors on darker garments, except for white and light/pastel items. The printing team can advise during quoting.

White ink designs require only one screen but need two coats with partial curing to achieve full brightness and opacity, slightly affecting cost but ensuring quality.

Yes, white areas in a multi-colored design still require a single white underbase coat before layering color inks to preserve print quality and durability.

They use quality brands including Bella, Gildan, Hanes, Next Level Apparel, and Sport-tek.

Nearby places include The Music Therapy Center of California, Animo Dance Company, and Tea Gallerie, offering options for arts, dance, and dining before or after your visit.

The nearby GameSync Esports Center offers gaming and arcade entertainment, providing a fun spot for customers or groups visiting Randy's Screen Printing to enjoy before or after their printing needs.

Yes, CitySpareSpace Luggage Storage is nearby, allowing customers traveling to safely store their bags while visiting the printing shop or exploring the area.