Abstract: A platen for use with a conventional screen printing machine for printing designs or patterns onto garments includes a window or windows formed in the body of the platen. The windows permit backlighting therethrough and through the garment material to enable the positioning and registration of a pattern on one side of a garment (the front side, for instance) to be registered with a pattern to be printed on the opposite side of the garment. The platen windows may be formed of a plexiglass material, either transparent or translucent, sufficient to permit light to pass therethrough. Light sources are positioned directly below the windows of the platen to enhance the backlighting effect for more accurate registration of patterns to be printed on the garment. A closed loop frame is adapted to fit around the periphery of the platen to hold a garment in position on the platen during the screen printing process.