DG Signs in Baltimore: Screen Printing and Custom Apparel for Local Businesses and Events

DG Signs is a screen printing and custom apparel shop located in Baltimore that handles orders for small businesses, nonprofits, sports teams, and event organizers who need branded t-shirts, polos, hats, and promotional items in volumes ranging from dozens to thousands of pieces.

What DG Signs Actually Does

The shop offers direct screen printing on apparel, embroidery, and heat transfer services. Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is not listed as a standard offering, which matters if you need photorealistic or full-color single prints; screen printing works best for designs with solid colors or limited color counts and is more economical at volume. The operation is set up for production runs rather than one-off custom orders, making it a fit for organizations ordering 25 or more items at a time.

Services and Pricing

Screen printing prices depend on garment choice, design complexity, and order size. A standard t-shirt screen print (single-color design, 50-piece minimum) typically ranges from $8 to $12 per shirt; add $0.50 to $1.50 per shirt for each additional color. Embroidery on polos or hats runs $3 to $8 per piece depending on stitch count and placement. Setup fees (creating screens) range from $30 to $60 per color and apply once per order, regardless of quantity. Confirm current pricing when you call, as material costs shift seasonally.

The shop sources blank apparel from distributors like Gildan, Fruit of the Loom, and Bella+Canvas; you can request specific brands, though premium blanks (Comfort Colors, Heather options) may add $1 to $3 per unit. Turnaround is typically 5 to 10 business days for orders under 500 pieces; rush service (3 business days) incurs a 25 percent surcharge.

How DG Signs Compares to Other Baltimore Screen Printers

Baltimore Print House, located in Canton, offers both screen printing and DTG printing, making it the better choice if you need a small run of full-color designs (5 to 25 pieces) without high setup costs. Their prices are higher per unit on screen-printed items but eliminate screen fees for low-volume orders. For high-volume orders (500-plus pieces), DG Signs' per-unit cost is lower once setup fees are spread across the run.

Signature Shirt Company, also in Baltimore, emphasizes custom embroidery and specialty finishes (puff print, glitter); their prices are 15 to 25 percent higher, and they suit clients prioritizing premium aesthetics over budget. For straightforward, budget-conscious screen printing, DG Signs undercuts both alternatives.

Who DG Signs Suits and Who It Doesn't

This shop works well for nonprofits and nonprofits raising funds through merchandise sales, small businesses outfitting employees, sports leagues ordering team apparel, and event organizers needing branded giveaways. The minimum order volumes and per-unit economics make sense at 50 pieces and up.

It is not suited to customers wanting artwork design services (you must provide a finished design file), single-piece or very small runs (under 25 items), or photorealistic, full-color prints. If you need a graphic designer, DG Signs may refer you to a freelancer, but that is a separate transaction.

What Your First Visit Involves

Bring a finished design in vector format (AI, EPS, or PDF) or a high-resolution raster file (300 dpi minimum). The shop will assess whether your design is screen-printable (solid colors and simple shapes work; fine details and gradients do not). If your design needs adjustment, ask about basic modifications; major redesign work typically goes to an outside designer. You will select blank garment options from samples, confirm color and placement of the print, and receive a quote including setup and per-unit costs. Payment terms are usually 50 percent deposit to begin production, balance on pickup or delivery.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

The shop is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Street parking is available on the surrounding block; no dedicated lot. Confirm current hours before visiting, as seasonal demand can affect weekend availability. Pickup is standard; delivery is available for large orders (typically 250-plus pieces) within Baltimore city for a $25 to $50 fee.

DG Signs fills a straightforward need for Baltimore organizations that want reliable, affordable screen printing without frills or design consulting. If you know what you want printed and have a design ready, the shop delivers consistent output at prices that improve with order size.