Wholesale FAQ

Before submitting an order, what information should I have handy?

Screen print ready design.
Check below for tips on "Preparing Design for Print".
Measurements of the design (in inches).
Quantity of shirts / bandanas / etc. you'd like to print.
Style & color of shirt.

What is the shirt order minimum?

Our typical order minimum is 25 shirts per design using the same ink color.

What is your turnaround time?

Our goal turnaround time is 12-15 business days after the invoice is paid. This can fluctuate based on how big our queue is at any given time. Ask our sales associate at the time of your order for an updated estimate. Screen printed bandanas are batched together on our schedule and can take 20-25 business days for completion. Our prints are high quality and always worth the wait.

What if I need a rush order?

We are happy to accommodate rush orders. There is an additional rush fee depending on the quantity ordered and the turnaround time.

How will I know when my order is ready?

You will receive an email from us as soon as your order is ready for pick up or shipped to you. We are located at 506 E St Elmo Rd, A3, Austin, TX 78745 (look for the pink door). Shop hours are Monday - Friday from 10am - 6pm.

How do I pay for my order?

You will be emailed an invoice that can be paid online via credit card or bank transfer. If you’d like to pay with card/cash in the shop, please come by during weekday shop hours.

Can I get a mockup before printing an entire order?

We provide a digital mock up to all customers prior to printing. Printing will not occur until the digital mock up is approved.

Can I bring my own items to be printed on?

We prefer to source the materials ourselves and this is encouraged. If you need to bring in your own materials, there is a handling fee which is determined after valuing the cost of each item.

What other services does Raw Paw offer?

We offer a wide range of services from embroidery, promo goods, posters, and more!

How do I best prepare my artwork for screen printing?

Files that work best for screen printing are an Illustrator (.ai) or Photoshop (.psd) document sized for printing at 300 dpi with the color layers separated (.png, .jpeg, .pdf, .psd, .ai also work).

For halftone images, please include the areas to be halftones in a separate layer.

If your design was created traditionally instead of digitally, please send in a high-quality scan of your image at 300 dpi.

For sizing, file dimensions should match the screen print size in inches at 300 dpi. For example, the max size for our standard print area is 12.5" wide and 15" tall, so the file size would match this at 12.5" x 15" at 300 dpi.

What is the difference between a dither and a halftone pattern?

A dither is a random dot pattern, where a halftone pattern is tethered to a square grid. Dithers work better for designs with a lot of shading or soft gradation. Halftones patterns work better for graphic style designs. Deciding between the two methods is an aesthetic preference.

What is the standard printing size for shirts, posters or totes?

The standard print size for shirts is 12x15 inches. For posters, our sizes are 18x24 or 12x18 inches. For totes, the print area is 9x12 inches.

Can I do an oversized print on a shirt?

Yes! The oversize print area for shirts is 14x22 inches. The screen set up for oversized screens is $35 and there is an additional $0.50 per item added to the printing price.

What is CMYK printing?

CMYK, or 4 color process, is a printing method which allows you to print a full color image on white/light colored garments with just 4 screens. CMYK process converts the design to a pattern of dots and is highly transparent, creating a natural blending effect. CMYK inks are premixed, so you will not pay for custom ink mixing.

What is the best method for printing a full color image on dark shirts?

Index separations, or simulated process, is where a full color image is broken into a limited number of spot colors, which we mix in-house. This method provides a more accurate color match than CMYK.

When is an underbase required and why does it cost more?

A white underbase is used to print opaque, saturated colors on darker garments. It costs more to print with an underbase because it is creating an extra layer for the color to be printed on. This requires an extra screen and a flash print, which requires more time to complete than shirts without an underbase.

What is the Pantone Color Mixing System?

The Pantone Color Mixing System allows us to accurately color match waterbased and discharge inks from the design files. Having ink colors sleeved from the Pantone book helps avoid issues when color matching such as computer monitor brightness, color setting, and subjectivity. Using this system allows us to confidently match the desired color.