Alternate Ink in Baltimore: Custom Screen Printing Without the Markup

Alternate Ink is a independent screen printing shop in Fells Point that handles direct-to-garment and traditional screen printing for individuals, small businesses, and organizations ordering runs of 1 to 500+ pieces. It operates without the markup of mall-based print vendors and avoids the minimum-order penalties of larger production houses, positioning itself between hobby-level DIY and industrial manufacturing.

What Alternate Ink actually does

The shop prints on cotton, cotton-blend, and performance-fabric apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, long sleeves, hats) using two primary methods. Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing applies ink directly to fabric and suits small orders, single-color or photorealistic designs, and rush jobs; traditional screen printing layered inks onto fabric and costs less per unit on larger runs but requires setup fees. Both methods can handle custom logos, event designs, and artwork brought in by the customer. The space itself is visible from the street, small enough to feel approachable but equipped with multiple print stations and a finishing area.

Services and pricing

DTG printing starts at $18 to $24 per shirt for a single piece, depending on design complexity and garment type; orders of 12 or more drop to $12 to $16 per shirt. Screen printing has a setup fee of $40 to $60 per color, then $3 to $8 per garment per color on runs of 25 to 100 pieces; that per-piece cost falls further on larger orders. A 50-shirt order with a two-color design typically costs $200 to $250, or $4 to $5 per shirt.

Custom artwork mockups are included in the quote process. Turnaround is 5 to 7 business days for screen-printed orders and 2 to 3 business days for DTG, though rush service (add $50 to $100) compresses this to next-business-day on smaller quantities. Bring a digital file in PDF or PNG; the shop charges $25 if artwork requires significant rework before printing.

How it compares to other Baltimore options

Corporate print shops like Modiv Media (Canton) and local Staples locations offer screen printing through third-party fulfillment, charging $8 to $14 per shirt on 12-piece minimums but with less transparency on setup fees and longer lead times (10 to 14 days). Online bulk vendors like CustomInk and 4imprint provide automated quoting and often lower per-shirt costs on large orders (100+), but force you into their design templates and charge nonrefundable deposits. Local union print shops cater to large commercial runs (500+) with pricing that rewards volume but makes small batches expensive. Alternate Ink's advantage is flexibility on minimum orders, visible communication with the printer, and cost clarity; its disadvantage is no online ordering and no negotiation on pricing.

Choose Alternate Ink if you need fewer than 200 pieces, want to review proof prints before committing, or value working with a local operator. Choose a bulk vendor if you are ordering 300+ identical pieces and price-per-unit is the only variable that matters.

Who it suits and who it should not

This shop works for small business owners (coffee roasters, local bands, nonprofits running fundraisers), event organizers printing for weddings or corporate team-building, and individuals wanting one or two custom pieces without DIY hassle. It is not set up for same-day printing, large production runs where a 0.50-cent-per-shirt difference becomes material, or customers who want to upload art and receive a finished product without any conversation.

First visit

Call or email with a photo of your artwork or a description of what you want printed. The shop will quote based on garment type, order size, and design complexity. You can visit to see sample garments and discuss placement and sizing (chest, back, sleeve), or handle this entirely by phone. Once you approve the quote and pay a 50 percent deposit, printing happens on the scheduled date. Final payment is due on pickup; most customers collect their order in person to verify color match and quality before leaving.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Alternate Ink is open Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. Street parking is available on Thames Street and the surrounding Fells Point blocks; the shop itself has no dedicated lot. Confirm current hours by phone before visiting, as seasonal adjustments or special orders sometimes shift availability.

This is the print shop that works for the scale most people actually operate at, without the frustration of minimums or the waiting period of distant fulfillment centers.