The screen-printing world is evolving fast — from design styles and ink choices to garment cuts and colors. Here’s what’s trending now in 2025, and what your shop can prepare for as we move into 2026.
The Big Shifts in 2025 that will carry into 2026
Eco-Driven Printing
Sustainability continues to lead. Shops are beginning to source cleaner inks and chemicals and marketing the eco-friendly story behind their process. Customers want to feel good about what they wear — and how it’s made.
Hybrid Techniques
Combining screen printing with digital (DTF) is gaining traction. This mix allows for shorter runs, complex gradients, and faster turnaround — perfect for small brands and limited drops.
Specialty Inks & Textures
Metallics, puff, shimmer, and neon finishes are making a comeback. Prints are being treated like design features, not just logos.
Heavier, Premium Garments
High-quality tees and sweatshirts in 7–9 oz weights are trending. They last longer, print beautifully, and give merch a luxury feel.
A quick note: 2026 Forecasted Trends are just that, a forecast, an assumption of what will be popular next year, based on research that has been cited below.
Graphic Design Trends
2025 Design Aesthetic
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Retro revival: Bold typography, vintage sportswear, and 90s-inspired graphics dominate.
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Maximalist prints: Oversized designs and expressive messaging are everywhere.
- Print Placement: Full-back or full-chest graphics instead of small logos
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Texture + imperfection: Distressed or hand-drawn graphics add authenticity.
What’s Coming in 2026 -
We are expecting to see bold maximalist art (this embraces more by filling in all the space), mixed media and collage aesthetics, naive design and punk grunge. Find sources cited below.
Top 9 Graphic Design Trends to Watch in 2026
Digital Trends in 2026! Imperfection, Rebellion and the Return of Human Work
Garment Styles & Color Palettes
What’s Hot in 2025
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Style: Oversized fits and boxy cuts.
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Colors: Mocha brown, butter yellow, sage green, seafoam, and inky midnight.
These heavier, neutral garments pair perfectly with bold or textured inks — balancing simplicity with statement.
Trends Building for 2026
We expect oversized fits to remain dominant but will see a return of structured t-shirts and tighter silhouettes.
Based on our cited sources below, we are expecting to see a lot of teal/blue hues, warm yellows, earthy tones and orange.
Color Trend Forecast Spring & Summer 2026
Color Trend Forecast - Spring/Summer 2026
How Printers Can Prepare for 2026
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Expand garment options — offer heavier tees and hoodies, plus trend-aligned colorways.
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Sample early — print test runs in 2026 color palettes to showcase to clients.
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Offer design guidance — help customers choose print styles that align with upcoming trends.
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Promote sustainability — make your eco-friendly inks and processes part of your marketing story.
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Experiment with specialty finishes — metallic, shimmer, and textured inks will continue to stand out.
Final Takeaway
The future of screen printing is bold, sustainable, and design-driven. As we move into 2026, the shops that will stand out are those that embrace innovation — from eco-conscious materials to experimental finishes and daring graphics. By staying ahead of color forecasts, garment trends, and evolving aesthetics, printers can turn every job into a statement piece that reflects where the industry is headed: cleaner, smarter, and more creative than ever.
