Q&A

How do I supply DNA with my custom image for screen printing?

Please review our following Art Specs:
All separations are done by DNA for our presses. For best print results, please submit high resolution art in any of the following formats. Minimum DPI of 300. It is best to start at a high DPI (300 through 600) than at a low one (72 dpi – web standard). It is also best to start at the size of the design you want than increase it. For example, it is best to design your 10″ print at 10″ rather than 3″ and then increase it.

  • Portable Document Format (*.pdf)
  • Adobe Illustrator (*.ai)
  • Encapsulated Post Script (*.eps)
  • Adobe Photoshop (*.psd)
  • Tagged Image Format (*.tif)

We accept email, dropbox, ftp, and flash drives. For hand drawn art please contact us. Please convert or rasterize fonts. All separations done in house by DNA. Please provide pantone numbers where applicable. DNA will match to industry standard pantone books.

What services does DNA offer?

DNA offers many possibilities for custom screen printing, from simple one colour prints to complex full colour process (photo realistic) jobs. These are some of the printing options we provide:

  • Screen Printing up to 8 spot colors
  • Simulated or Full Colour Process Printing
  • Water Base and ‘˜Dyeflash’™ Printing
  • Metallic, Puff, Glow in the Dark Ink
  • High Volume or Small Print Runs
  • Private Relabelling
  • Textile, Wood, Nylon, and Paper Screen Printing

If you have any questions please call or email us. We print on many locations including inside tags, sleeves, and side prints. DNA offers electronic art proofs after order placement and pre-press.

I am a new Contract Customer. Can I track my print order?

Absolutely. Use the login button and the password that DNA has provided you with upon Contract Customer set-up.

After you login, you will be able to track each of your orders for their print date and order status, including whether artwork has been received from your art department and whether garments have been received from your distributor. DNA’s automated notifications will email you if your print date is approaching and if any of these print elements are missing. Your order will be listed under the Purchase Order number that you submit for your order. DNA maintains this service for repeat Contract Customers with high volume; if you are a new customer service representative from an existing DNA customer database, please feel free to contact DNA for your password and login details.

What inks do you use?

DNA uses phthlatate free inks.

Phthalates (pronounced THA-lates) are a group of chemicals that can make products (usually plastics) softer and more flexible. They are sometimes called plasticizers, but many other chemicals are also called plasticizers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) as a possible cause of cancer. Make sure your plastic products are phthalate free!

Our Big Responsibility Ink Is My Life

What is your minimum or maximum print order?

DNA has 2 automatics and 3 manual screen printing presses.

From large order runs like our Tim Horton’s Camp Day shirts (20,000) to smaller orders for start-up companies, DNA can service a broad range of custom screen printing requests. We also have full, industry standard dryers that are crucial for a good “cure” (the component of t-shirt printing that ensures ink won’t crack on your shirt after the first wash). Our bay area opens up to Halls Lane in Downtown Kitchener where large shipments of blank shirts arrive and quality, custom screen printed shirts are shipped back out for community-building events.

I am a Retail Customer. Where do I look for blank imprintable garments for screen printing?

After over 20 years in business, DNA has identified the best garment distributors in our area.

90% of our clientele require quick turn-around, so we direct them to sanmarcanada.com to look at basic, quality garments all geared toward either screen printing or embroidery. Please contact us with your custom print goals so that we can help you choose the best garment for your design. *NOTE: we can offer Canadian-made, socially conscious garments as well as basic, economical items for any printing occasion.

You mentioned embroidery in your last answer. Is this a service that you offer?

DNA are screen printing specialists.

We know that some garments (like jackets or sports shirts) benefit from embroidery application over a screen printing method. Please email us with a .jpg of what you’re looking to get embroidered with quantity and garment requests.

I need pricing for items that are not covered in your quick quote area. How do I proceed?

Please contact us for any print pricing queries. Email is the best method, where you can include: the image you want printed, the quantity of prints you need, the garment style and colour(s) you are looking for, whether you are supplying your own garments or whether you want us to source them for you, and your event date (if applicable).