Our Services
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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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 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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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 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
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
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
Our embroidery and printing services will make your logo shine on tees, polo shirts, aprons and anything else you need.
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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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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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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.
🎨 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
We`ve just finished a last minute t-shirt order for our pals at @pressuredropbrw for their event tomorrow 🙌
They`re launching some exciting collab beers on Good Friday, the perfect start of a long weekend 🍻🍻🎉🎉☺️
After 2 years of restrictions live gigs are finally back on 🤩 and this means we`re printing more great merch than ever! 💪 Two weeks from today, on the 7th April our friends @warmduscherr are taking over @o2forumktown in NW5 (just across the road from our old factory) 🤗
Grab a ticket before they all go 🎟️
Mad line up, not to be missed 🎉🎉🎉
Lounge Society, Benefits, Faboo TV & Sportsbanger Live, and Joe Goddard DJ Set
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
It’s said that somewhere deep below the streets of London lies a secret chamber that houses a vast collection of iconic t-shirts from yesteryear. A hidden treasure trove, precise location known only to a few and admittance limited to fewer still. This carefully curated horde of classic tees, preserved for posterity, is rumoured to contain a wealth of rare and influential pieces. To be specific, the earliest works of a group of gifted friends destined to become the renowned garment printers, Fifth Column.
Urban legend, the fanciful musings of those inclined to mystery and myth? We couldn’t possibly comment. Other than to say, the gaffer here at Fifth Column has an awfully big bunch of keys and some of them are odd shapes and kind of archaic looking. All of which has probably given you a pretty good clue as to the nature of this article. Yes, you’ve guessed, it’s time for more vintage punk t-shirts from the Fifth Column vault!
One point worthy of mention before getting into the vintage punk t-shirts. We no longer print any of these tees. This is strictly for fun, a little stroll down memory lane.
#screenprinting #vintage #punk #tbt
The festivities fade with alarming speed once you get a little deeper into January. And wow, can it feel cold. Here at Fifth Column, we’re lucky to have the heat of busy printing carousels to keep us warm, but we still look forward to bright things on the horizon. The @wearestanleystella Spring Summer launch is one of them, a glimpse into what Stanley Stella have come up with for warmer days. This is our take on what SS22 offers, beyond their existing ranges, for the screen printing and embroidery sector in 2022.
There is a plenty happening in this launch, as is usually the case with Stanley Stella when they unveil new lines. They place great emphasis on quality allied to sustainability and have a distinct knack of keeping their finger on fashion and seasonal trends. As a consequence, their collections tend to command your attention and spring some pleasant surprises into the bargain. We’re pleased to say that SS22 is no exception.
#fifthcolumn #screenprinting
#ecofriendly
Another somewhat crazy year is drawing to a close and we`re getting ready for a well earned Christmas break between 22nd December and 6th January 2022.
We`re still working flat out to fulfil last minute orders but we wanted to take a moment to thank you for your custom and interest during 2021.
If we don`t speak to you before, stay safe and have a fabulous festive holiday.
🎉😊🤗
#screenprinting
Most of us have at least one or two t-shirts in our wardrobe. They’re easy to wear, easy to wash, and generally very versatile garments. Informal and understated, practical yet still stylish, there’s no pretention with a t-shirt. Plus, they’re inexpensive and the unfussiness of them feels somehow modern and classless. In some ways, they’re the epitome of contemporary apparel, an embodiment of our current approach to clothing. Yet in truth, the t-shirt, or some form of it, has been around for a long time. The modern history of the t-shirt dates back to the 1800s, but its origins can be seen in some of our earliest forms of clothing.
Link in bio for full article
January can be a bit grim and grey here in Britain, so we thought we’d cheer ourselves up with a stroll down memory lane. Our latest blog post with more classic punk tees, is another fond look back at Fifth Column’s humble beginnings. In truth, we never need much excuse to dip into the archives and peruse our heritage shelves. There’s something about these old punk shirts that make us feel good.
#screenprinting #vintage #punk
Hello 2021! There might be snow in the air and sub-zero temperatures, but the fashion world is already gearing up for summer 2021. And a good thing too! Grey skies and grim news have made this January tougher than usual. Just when we all need a little lift, something to remind us that happier times and freer days are on the horizon, the Stanley Stella Spring Summer 2021 Collection has landed.
Here at Fifth Column, like a lot of folk involved in ethical printing and personalisation, we’ve grown to really look forward to new arrivals from our friends at Stanley Stella. Their seasonal ranges tend to be a treat and this latest offering is no exception. There are a number of fabulous new styles and some scintillating new colours. So here we go, a flavour of the Stanley Stella Spring Summer 2021 Collection. If you’re into sustainably sourced clothing, it’s well worth a look.
(link in bio)
#stanleystella #fifthcolumn #wearestanleystella
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.