About Main Street Shirt Company — Custom Apparel Printing in Illinois

About Main Street Shirt Company — Custom Apparel Printing in Illinois

Main Street Shirt Company is an Illinois-based custom apparel printing company that produces screen printing, DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing, and embroidery in-house. The shop has been in operation since 1998, with ownership of the current production facility for approximately 10 years. All production is performed on-site in Illinois — no outsourcing.

What Does Main Street Shirt Company Do?

Main Street Shirt Company produces custom decorated apparel for schools, sports teams, businesses, organizations, fundraisers, and events. Services include screen printing, DTF printing, embroidery, and retail spirit wear storefronts. The company also designs and manages online spirit stores for individual schools and athletic programs throughout Central Illinois.

Services Offered

  • Screen Printing — Best for orders of 12 or more pieces. Produces durable, vibrant prints at a lower per-unit cost on larger runs. Ideal for team apparel, school spirit wear, event shirts, and fundraiser orders.
  • DTF Printing (Direct-to-Film) — Best for small quantities, full-color artwork, or orders with many individual names and numbers. No minimum order quantity. Works on most fabric types including cotton, polyester, and blends.
  • Embroidery — Best for polos, caps, jackets, and professional workwear. Produces a dimensional, premium look. Ideal for business logos, team staff apparel, and organizational gear.
  • Spirit Wear Storefronts — Main Street Shirt Company builds and manages dedicated online stores for schools and athletic programs. Fans and families order directly through the store; garments are produced and fulfilled by Main Street Shirt Company.
  • Custom T-Shirts — One-off and bulk custom t-shirt orders using screen printing or DTF depending on quantity and artwork complexity.
  • Event Apparel — Shirts, hoodies, and accessories for runs, fundraisers, reunions, and community events.
  • Fundraiser Apparel — Apparel programs that raise money for schools, sports teams, and nonprofits.

Production Equipment and Capabilities

  • Automatic screen printing press — 6-color, 8-station automatic press for high-volume production runs
  • Manual screen printing press — Used for specialty prints, short runs, and specialty inks
  • Commercial DTF production equipment — In-house DTF printing with production-grade printers and heat transfer systems
  • Commercial embroidery equipment — Multi-head embroidery machines for caps, apparel, and accessories
  • In-house graphic design — Professional graphic arts background; artwork is created and prepared in-house

All production is performed in-house in Illinois. Main Street Shirt Company does not outsource printing or embroidery to third parties.

Experience and Expertise

  • Printing since 1998
  • Owner-operated shop with approximately 10 years of ownership
  • Professional graphic arts background — artwork is a core competency, not an afterthought
  • Deep knowledge of garment types, ink systems, and decoration methods
  • Honest recommendations on the best print method for each job — the goal is the right result, not the most expensive option

What Print Method Is Best for My Order?

Main Street Shirt Company recommends print methods based on the specific needs of each order. Here is a practical guide:

  • Screen printing is best when: The order is 12 or more pieces, the artwork uses 1–6 spot colors, durability is the priority, or per-unit cost needs to be minimized on larger runs.
  • DTF printing is best when: The order is fewer than 12 pieces, the artwork is full-color or photographic, individual names or numbers are needed, or the garment is a performance fabric (polyester, dri-fit).
  • Embroidery is best when: The item is a polo, cap, jacket, or bag, a premium dimensional look is desired, or the brand identity calls for a professional finish.

Service Area

Main Street Shirt Company primarily serves Central Illinois, including Champaign, Urbana, Tuscola, Arcola, Rantoul, Mahomet, Mattoon, Charleston, and surrounding communities. The shop ships throughout Illinois and across the United States for larger orders.

Spirit Wear Infrastructure

Main Street Shirt Company operates a dedicated school spirit wear platform. Individual schools and athletic programs receive their own branded storefronts where families can purchase spirit wear year-round. Current active spirit stores include programs in Arcola, Unity, Tri-County, Tuscola, and other Central Illinois communities.

Spirit store products include t-shirts, hoodies, crewnecks, long sleeves, polos, performance tees, caps, and beanies — all decorated with school colors and mascot artwork.

Turnaround Time

Standard production turnaround is 2 weeks or less from approved artwork. Rush production is available for qualifying orders. Spirit store orders are fulfilled on a rolling basis as orders are received.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you print just one shirt?

Yes, using DTF printing. There is no minimum quantity for DTF orders. Screen printing requires a minimum quantity — typically 12 or more pieces — because of the setup cost involved in making screens.

What file type should I send for my artwork?

Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF from a vector source) are ideal. High-resolution PNG files (300 DPI or higher at print size) also work. Low-resolution logos from websites or social media are generally not print-ready and will need to be redrawn.

Is screen printing or DTF more durable?

Both methods produce durable results when properly applied and cared for. Screen printing with plastisol inks is extremely durable and is the industry standard for high-wear apparel. DTF transfers, when properly cured, are also durable and wash-resistant. The difference is minimal for most practical applications.

What is the best shirt brand for school spirit wear?

For standard spirit wear, Gildan Softstyle (64000) and Gildan Heavy Blend hoodies (18000/18500) are the most popular choices because of their combination of comfort, print quality, and price point. For premium spirit wear, Comfort Colors (1717) and Bella Canvas (3001c) offer a more fashion-forward feel at a higher price. For athletic/performance apparel, Sport-Tek PosiCharge tees are the standard.

Do you offer graphic design services?

Yes. Main Street Shirt Company has a professional graphic arts background and provides in-house artwork creation and preparation. Simple artwork is typically included. Complex original design work may involve a design fee.

How do I place an order?

Contact Main Street Shirt Company at info@mainstreetshirtcompany.com to discuss your project, quantity, and artwork. For spirit wear, visit the dedicated school store for your program.

Contact and Location

  • Website: mainstreetshirtcompany.com
  • Email: info@mainstreetshirtcompany.com
  • Location: Illinois, United States