Project brief for student apparel in Stellenbosch
The brief came from a student merchandise team based in Stellenbosch that was producing tees for society events, committee wear and campus sales. They needed aluminium screen-printing frames that could handle a mix of artwork, from one-colour logos to layered prints, without taking up too much storage space between print days.
The team wanted a setup that was easy to use for a small crew and simple enough for stock control. They were printing in batches, often around exam schedules and event deadlines, so the plan had to support quick changeovers, accurate registration and screens that stayed consistent from job to job.
- Client type: student merchandise team
- Town: Stellenbosch
- Use case: campus tees, society wear, event stock
- Screen setup: compact samples plus standard production sizes
Constraints that shaped the screen order
Like many campus projects, the main pressure was space and timing. The team needed frames that would store neatly in a small room, move easily between print area and storage, and still give enough print area for the sizes they run most often. They also had to plan around load shedding, so the screens needed to be ready before the print window started, not halfway through a run.
Stellenbosch humidity can vary across the season, and that affects drying and storage if screens are left in the wrong spot. We kept the advice practical: dry storage, no stacking on damp floors, and careful handling after cleaning so the mesh and adhesive bond hold up properly.
- Limited storage space
- Short production windows
- Need for repeatable screen tension
- Weather and humidity control for storage
What ScreenFrame supplied and carried out
We supplied a mix of compact sample frames and standard production sizes for the team’s garment printing work. The smaller frames were used to test placement, confirm artwork alignment and trial ink coverage before committing to full runs. The production sizes were stretched for everyday tee printing, giving them a practical balance between footprint and print area.
Our workshop team handled the stretching, adhesive application, tension checks and frame inspections before the order moved out. We also removed old mesh where needed and cleaned the frames so they could be reused without leftover residue affecting the new stretch. The result was a neat, ready-to-use set of screens that fitted the project plan and their handling routine.
- Aluminium screen-printing frames
- Mesh removal and frame cleaning
- New screen stretching to order
- Tension checks before release
- Pickup and return arranged through our Gauteng and Cape Town routes as needed
Timeline from first enquiry to ready screens
The job moved over a compact three-week schedule. Week one covered the enquiry through our contact form, the screen count and size selection, plus the layout of which screens would be used for sample work and which would go straight into production. Week two covered preparation, stretching and final checks in Maitland, Cape Town. Week three covered handover and follow-up advice on cleaning and storage.
Because the order was for a student team, we kept the plan simple and practical. That meant no wasted frame sizes, no unnecessary add-ons, and no delay waiting for a second round of changes. It also gave the team enough time to line up their tee stock and printing slots before the campus rush started.
- Week 1: enquiry, sizing and order confirmation
- Week 2: stretching and quality checks
- Week 3: handover and care guidance
Results on press and in storage
The team ended up with screens that were easier to manage than the mixed set they had before. The compact frames were useful for artwork testing and small amendments, while the standard production screens gave them consistent results across larger tee runs. Setup time dropped because the screens were clean, evenly tensioned and sized for the way they actually print.
Just as important, the project became easier to store and transport. They could stack and label the screens more neatly, and the workshop advice helped them avoid the common issue of damp storage and mesh slack. For a student group working around lectures and events, that saved time and fewer reprints.
- Cleaner setup on press
- Better storage discipline
- More consistent print registration
- Less downtime between jobs
What we would do again for a similar campus order
We would handle a similar project the same way again: keep the frame mix lean, match the screen sizes to the actual garment run, and build in a bit of room for test prints before bulk production. That approach works well for campus teams because budgets are tight and storage is usually shared.
If another society or student merchandise group in Stellenbosch comes through with the same brief, we would again suggest a split between sample frames and standard production sizes, plus a clear plan for cleaning and restretching after busy periods. It is a simple setup, but it holds up well when the printing starts piling up.
- Use compact sample screens for testing
- Keep standard sizes for bulk tees
- Plan for cleaning after each run
- Store screens dry and flat where possible
Key facts
| Project type | Campus garment printing support |
|---|---|
| Town | Stellenbosch |
| Timeline | 3 weeks |
| Screen sizes | Compact sample frames and standard production sizes |
| Work completed | New stretching, mesh removal, cleaning, adhesive application, tension checks |
| Base | Maitland, Cape Town |
