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Elevate Your Brand with Fifth Column’s

Screen Printing & Embroidery Services

Our Services

Screenprinting by Fifth Column Printers.

 

Screen Printing

Each of our state-of-the-art machines can print 600 garments an hour and we’ve got the process down to a fine art.

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Garment finishing for custom printed and embroidered clothing and merchandise.

Embroidery

Embroidery is a stunning way to showcase your brand on all types of clothing whether on jackets, hats, bags and workwear.

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Direct to garment (DTG) printing t-shirts and tops the uk.

Direct-to-Garment Printing

DTG artwork is printed straight onto the garment using a specialized inkjet printer resulting in a a higher resolution print.

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High quality, professional garment embroidery.

Garment Finishing

Get your garments retail ready: custom labelling, hem tagging, poly bagging & applying stickers can all be done at Fifth Column.

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Bulk and Wholesale T-Shirt Printing - Services at Fifth Column.

Bulk Wholesale T-Shirt Printing

Looking for lots of custom printed t-shirts? With 45+ years of experience & commercial printers are ready to exceed expectations.

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Charity T-Shirts Printing - Services at Fifth Column.

Charity T-Shirts Printing

We have a long history of creating high quality custom merchandise for the charity sector and we are active in local events and causes.

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Workwear Printing - Services at Fifth Column.

Workwear Printing

Get custom work clothing with our high quality bespoke uniforms, printed or embroidered so you will always leave a good impression.

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Company Logo Printing - Services at Fifth Column.

Company Logo Printing

Our embroidery and printing services will make your logo shine on tees, polo shirts, aprons and anything else you need.

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Contact Fifth Column to get a t-shirt printing quote.

High Quality T-Shirt Printing Service

If you need high quality printed tee shirts, large or small quantities, Fifth Column have got you covered. T-shirt printing is in our DNA, how we began and what we’ve been doing for a long time. So, whether you’re a band looking to design your own t shirt, a charity in need of promotional shirts, established company or online start-up brand, Fifth Column can help. We’ve been printing personalised t-shirts for over 45 years now and deliver the best results, professionally printed tees, whatever artwork and garment you’ve got in mind. We’re talking great prints, proper customer service, and competitive pricing.

Our Humble Origins

T-shirt printing is where it all started for us. We were the punk rock print shop, t-shirt printers with a passion for brilliant ink and crafting awesome custom shirts. Our story starts in 1977 with a group of friends designing and hand printing now-iconic punk rock t-shirts for bands like X-ray Spex, The Clash, The Jam and The Damned. They cured those hand printed tees in tumble dryers at a local laundrette on Kilburn High Road and sold them outside London gigs. We’re still here, UK based and busily printing – after working for many years from a space above the landmark Kentish Town station, we moved to our 11,000 sq ft North London facility in 2013.

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The punk heritage of Fifth Column t-shirt printers, printing t-shirts since 1977.
Eco-ethical t-shirt printing in the UK.

Fast & Efficient Custom Prints

From first contact to finished product, choosing Fifth Column as your customisation company is a good move. You’re partnering with people who care about you and your requirements and have the know-how to turn that inspired design into a stunning custom print. And, we’ll be with you at every step – quote request, artwork mock-up and approval, finding the ideal garment for your design, right through production to shipping.

Turnaround times vary, every order is unique , but 7 to 10 working days is an average. However, our Express Printing Service can be ready within 24 hours.

Official Stanley Stella Dealer

We’re an award-winning Stanley Stella clothing dealer and very proud of the fact because Stanley Stella are officially one of the world’s most sustainable brands. You can’t beat responsibly manufactured merchandise that’s specifically made to be printed and embroidered. We also source from a variety of other ethical garment suppliers that share our outlook. This is garment decoration with a difference, at Fifth Column standards and service are key watchwords. We love to print and embroider ethical, organic, and Fair Wear products. After all, as t-shirt printers, we know that premium printing looks even better on superior quality blank merchandise.

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Stanley Stella 2024 Spring Summer at Fifth Column printing and embroidery.
Ethical printing and organic blank products at Fifth Column, UK printers based in London.

How We Can Help Your Business

Small print run or bulk order, your business is in safe hands. We treat every project as though it were our own. This is personalisation with a genuine personal touch. And our state of the art screen printing carousels can print thousands of full colour, custom t shirts every day. In short, bulk wholesale t-shirt printing is one of our specialities. Plus, our principled approach to business offers that all-important eco-ethical assurance. We can find an environmentally conscious option for you and your customers with our wide experience in sourcing sustainable blank merchandise. Think organic cotton, clothing with recycled content, and vegan-friendly inks.

Our Other Printing Services

Of course, nowadays it’s not all about t-shirt printing. Yes, our working days are still filled with customised t shirts, but our services have expanded to span the spectrum for personalised clothing. High quality embroidery, direct to garment (DTG) printing and garment finishing services ensure we can offer you a comprehensive customisation solution. The t-shirt printing expertise remains, but we also supply superb custom polo shirts, outstanding rebranded hoodies and much, much more besides. All printed and embroidered to the highest professional standards, whatever the type of merchandise and decoration.

Would you like to add some vibrant and eye-catching colors is your designs? 
We can print these amongst some other special inks.
🌟🎨 Fluorescent/neon inks can add that electrifying pop ! 💥
Have a question/need a quote? Please ping us an email and we’ll be back in touch ASAP 🙂
#screenprinting #neon #fluorescent #pantone
It’s fair to say that we’re are probably best known for printing t-shirts. But we do a lot more than high quality screen printed tops. Not least, custom embroidery 🪡 From bespoke designs to intricate details, we bring your vision to life 🔎 works really well on caps, hats, bags, jackets but also on hoodies and heavy cotton t-shirts too 👕👚#embroidery #workwear #sustainablefashion
Do we still print by hand?🖐️ Of course we do!
Tricky print positions, smaller print runs, test prints, samples, you name it. We agree that it can’t compete with the speed, consistency and accuracy of an automatic press but we believe there is still a place for it in 2024! 🤲 #screenprinting #fifthcolumn #handprinted
🎉 Hey, 2024 – we’re ready for ya! 🤘✨ New year, same awesome prints from Fifth Column! 🎨👕  Big shoutout to all our customers for making 2023 a blast! 🙌 Your creativity keeps us going, and we can’t wait to rock more custom designs together. 🚀💙  🌟 Here’s to messy ink splatters, late-night printing sessions, and turning ideas into wearable art! 🖌️👚 Let’s keep the print party going! 🎉  💥 Got a project in mind? Hit us up! Whether it’s shirts for your squad or gear for your band or brand, we’ve got you covered. Let’s make this year the most colorful one yet! 🌈🔥  Cheers to another year of ink, laughs, and making memories one print at a time. 🥂 Let’s do this, 2024!  #screenprinting #embroidery #fifthcolumn #ethicalfashion
🌟 We’re thrilled to share the revelation of the Pantone Color of the Year for 2024: 13-1023 Peach Fuzz🎨✨  “A velvety gentle peach whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and heart”  At Fifth Column, we believe in the fusion of style and sustainability. 🌿🌐 
Our dedicated team is poised to incorporate this Pantone gem into our meticulously crafted, eco-friendly apparel. 
Stay tuned for a showcase of timeless designs that seamlessly meld fashion-forward aesthetics with ethical consciousness. 🌍💫💚  P.S.: Fellow printers, which Pantone would you use from the Coated range? 🙂  ✨👇  #Pantone2024 #EthicalFashion #ColorTrends #fifthcolumn #screenprinting 🌈
🎨 Choosing the right ink for your screen printing projects can make all the difference. Let's dive into the pros and cons of three commonly used inks: plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks. 🌈  1️⃣ Plastisol Inks:
🔸 Pros:  Excellent opacity and vibrancy, making colors pop.  Suitable for printing on dark and light-colored garments.
Easy to use, with a forgiving nature that allows for longer print runs.
Durable and long-lasting, with good resistance to fading.
🔹 Cons:  Creates a thicker print, which can feel heavy on the fabric.
Requires the use of chemicals for cleanup.
Lacks the soft feel and breathability of other inks.
Contains PVC, which can be harmful to the environment.  2️⃣ Water-based Inks:
🔸 Pros:  Environmentally friendly and non-toxic
Offers a soft, breathable feel on the fabric.
Ideal for printing on light-colored garments.
Can create a vintage or distressed look when used with specific techniques.
🔹 Cons:  Requires more skill to achieve vibrant colors and opacity.
Longer drying times compared to plastisol inks.
May not perform well on dark or heavily dyed fabrics.
Can clog screens if not properly cleaned immediately after use.
3️⃣ Discharge Inks:
🔸 Pros:  Allows for soft, breathable prints that become part of the fabric.
Ideal for achieving vibrant prints on dark-colored garments.
No additional layer of ink, resulting in a lightweight feel.
Can create a vintage, faded effect by bleaching the fabric's existing dye.
🔹 Cons:  Limited color options as discharge inks work best on certain fabric colors.
Inconsistent results on different fabric types and dye formulations.
Requires precise timing and expertise to achieve desired results.
Chemicals used in discharge process may require extra safety precautions.  Remember, each ink type has its strengths and weaknesses. Consider your project's requirements, the desired look and feel, and the environmental impact when choosing the right ink for your screen printing ventures. Happy printing! 🎉✨  #ScreenPrinting #Plastisol #WaterBasedInk #DischargeInk #fifthcolumn
Behind every stunning print, there's a powerful force - the human touch! 👩‍🎨👨‍🎨 At Fifth Column, we cherish the skilled hands and dedicated hearts that make our screen printing process truly special.  1. Craftsmanship: Our talented workers breathe life into each design. From meticulous preparation to precise color mixing, they ensure every print is a work of art. 🎨✨  2. Attention to Detail: Human eyes spot the tiniest imperfections. Our expert printers pay unwavering attention to detail, guaranteeing flawless and stunning results. 🔎👀  3. Customization: It's all about personalization! Our skilled team thrives on bringing your unique ideas to life, creating prints that resonate with your vision. 🌈💡  4. Passion & Pride: Love for the craft shines through. With passion and pride, our printers pour their heart into each project, ensuring it exceeds expectations. ❤️🙌  5. Collaboration & Communication: We cherish the relationships we build with our clients. Our team collaborates closely, communicating openly to deliver exactly what you envision. 🤝💬  6. Sustainable Artistry: By choosing human labor, we embrace sustainable practices. Our dedication to ethical production supports both art and our planet. 🌍🌿  Join us in celebrating the true heroes of screen printing - our skilled workers! 🎉✨ Let's appreciate the artistry, craftsmanship, and passion they infuse into every print. When you wear our screen-printed apparel, you're not just getting a design; you're carrying a piece of human labor and dedication with you! 🙏  Priting with love since 1977 💕 
#ScreenPrinting #HumanLabor #fifthcolumn #livingwage
Focus on the present moment and deal with each day as it comes, without worrying too much about the future or getting overwhelmed by what's ahead. 
Remember to stay grounded, take things slowly, and appreciate the small steps and achievements along the way. 
At Fifth Column, we take things one day at a time and create awesome prints for you.
Whether you're after a cool organic t-shirt or a snazzy tote bag made from recycled materials, we've got you covered. Let us help you make your brand shine! 
#ScreenPrinting #CustomPrinting #OneDayAtATime #PromoSwag #SmallBizLove #Organic #EthicalFashion #fifthcolumn
Hey printing fam! Did you know that the mesh count of a screen plays a crucial role in the quality of your print? A higher mesh count produces finer details and sharper edges, while a lower mesh count is best for printing bold, solid colors. We use a range of mesh counts to achieve the perfect balance of detail and vibrancy in our prints. From 43 to 90 we've got you covered! #screenprinting #merchandise #meshcount #fifthcolumn #boldcolors
My name is Atom and I’m here to help 🐾🐶🐕
Obviously not with printing t-shirts or quoting customers, but to boost morale and encourage the team to take regular breaks from the screen 😊#screenprinting
#dogsofinstagram #printshoplife #fifthcolumn
Simple things make us very happy 😊 #screenprinting #fifthcolumn #sustainablefashion
How has 2023 started for you? 
#screenprinting #fifthcolumn #ecofriendly #merchandise
We're nearly there ☺️ Only 2.5 weeks of production time left of 2022 ⏰
For the best chance of receiving your tees before the holiday break, please email us today 2nd December 2022 👌
Last dispatch day is 19th December 2022
Last collection day is 20th December 2022 ⚡⚡⚡
We'll be closed for a well earned break from 22nd December and back at work on 5th January 2023.
Hurry, we still have a handful of production slots left 🖤✊
#fifthcolumn #screenprinting
#merchandise
Did you know, that buttons on @neutral_certifiedokay polo shirts are made from pressed waste cotton?
"It doesn't save the world. It doesn't make us better. But it's reasonable. And that makes it okay" 💚💚💚
#fifthcolumn #organiccotton
We love printing great merch for friends 🤗
The softness of discharge inks worked really well on these detailed designs for @novereband 🙌
Catch the band tonight in London at the @newcrossinn 🖤  Or in the next few days  17th March The Gryphon Bristol
18th March Scruffy Murphy's Brum
19th March The Tower Stoke  Some post metal goodness, not to be missed!  #screenprinting #fifthcolumn #postmetal

FAQ's

  • Which type of printing is best on Tshirt?

    The best type of printing on t-shirts depends on the desired outcome and budget. However, direct-to-film printing (DTF) is considered as one of the top t-shirt printing techniques, which allows designs to be printed onto a specialized PET film using adhesive powder and heat before being transferred onto the t-shirt. DTF enables vibrant colors, intricate designs, and high-quality prints to be achieved on different fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends.

  • What material is best for t-shirt printing?

    It’s generally accepted that cotton is the best t-shirt fabric on which to print. Put simply, cotton has a natural absorbency which makes it a receptive surface for ink.

  • What is the most popular t-shirt printing method?

    Screen printing, an ancient art now automated, is the best known technique for printing t-shirts. Although, there are several others such as direct to garment, dye-sublimation, and vinyl heat transfer. But, screen printing is enduringly popular – it produces a high quality print and, for big quantities, it’s still the cheapest t-shirt printing available.

  • How much does it cost to print shirts?

    The cost of printing t-shirts depends on a number of factors. For example, the quantity of shirts printed, the design, the cost of the blank tees and type of printing.

Still need help? No problem, get in touch, our experts are on hand to answer all of your questions. Also, be sure to check out our printing and embroidery blog which has a wealth of information about t-shirt printing, custom embroidery and associated subjects.

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