The Best Printer for You. There is minimal setup time and it provides consistent printed designs. The difference between screen printing and digital printing. Plus, digital printing allows us to offer custom tees with no minimum order requirement, unlike screen printing, which has a 12-piece minimum because of its extensive prep time. Let’s have a quick look at some differences between pigments and dyes. It’s printed on thinner in order to properly capture the details of the design, so it could potentially wear more quickly. Perfect for larger designs consisting of one or two colors. When it comes to screen printing, one of the major benefits is that it’s a really effective solution for bulk printing as its extremely cost-efficient. And, finally, you won’t achieve economies of scale in print costs if you opt for digital printing as prices remain the same, irrespective of the number of prints required. Screen printing may be an older, more traditional method, but it can produce high quality and richly colored prints that are extremely durable. Before deciding which is the better option, let’s first review the basic information regarding direct-to-garment or DTG printing. The print produced on materials is not durable; hence digital printing is best only for one-off prints that aren’t to … easy to print in a range of different colours, prints can be customised in a variety of ways, designs sit flat on the print material and do not bulge out from the surface, the range of printable fabrics is more limited than with screen printing, the colour white cannot usually be reproduced within the print, due to fixed pricing, bulk printing does not offer scaled cost reductions, a higher quality output than digital prints, more durable for prints that are needed over the long-term, can be used on a variety of different print materials, including glass, wood, textiles, signs, banners, electronics, and much more, it’s easy to print on specified areas of the print material, the amount of ink used can make the design look as if it is raised from the print material, it cannot be customised in the manner of digital printing. DTG is an ideal solution for lower quantity print jobs. In the screen printing process, a type of stencil design is created on fine mesh or polyester fabric, with several layers of ink pushed through this stencil layout onto the surface of the print material. Ideal for printing onto cotton and poly cotton clothing items. For example, we can generally use screen printing or digital printing for most flags and banners we produce, but where clients require high levels of vibrancy and contrast we will usually recommend screen printing. If there is a … Continue reading if you have ever wondered about DTG vs screen printing durability and other important information when deciding between both methods for your printing business. Also, the amount of time it takes to complete one design will be determined by the detail and number of colors in the job. Much like a regular printer, a DTG printer directly sprays ink onto the garment using inkjet technology. With screen printing, you have a wider list of fabrics for which it is suitable. The digital printing vs screen printing debate is a common discussion within the printing and manufacturing industry. The two main types that can be done through companies or at home are digital printing and screen printing. The ink in screen printing is applied thicker than digital printing, which results in brighter colors even on darker shirts. Additionally, it is cost-effective in the long run if you are printing large orders with simple designs. DTG and Screen Printing are the two most common types of printing methods for textiles. This is good if you want to easily switch between various designs and color options. Durability. Screen printing has digital printing beat when it comes to color matching, too. Screen printed stickers are the most durable and premium of all custom sticker printing methods. Screen Printing is ideal for bulk orders that are approximately 25 or more of the same design. and/or when ordering in small quantities, such as a once-off design or just a few pieces.. Tee Junction's DTG printing is the best-in-class and offers very good colours and durability, and will be suitable for most applications. Screen printing is a printing method where ink is pushed through a woven screen (also called mesh stencil) onto fabric. Digital printing and screen printing each use very different processes to achieve this, but there are two main mediums that are used to print with that are common to both. It is tough to compare screen printing vs digital printing when each method offers exclusive, worthwhile benefits. Also, the technology to achieve these goals has been developed and expanded. Once press setup is complete, ink is pushed through the mesh stencil that was created with the design and then onto the chosen fabric. It can be more challenging and require more steps to print a light-colored design onto a dark garment. Digital flatbed printing can incorporate variable info, can print all quantities and has a quick turnaround time. Softer feel than transfers. The primary differentiators between the two are production quantity, the amount of detail in the design, which is most cost-effective, and the overall process of both. At Ramp, we use screen printing to print your t-shirts. Screen printing, also known as silk screen printing, is a printing technique that uses a stencil or template to place designs onto t-shirts and other fabrics. Screen printing is a traditional print technique that’s been used for many years. Screen printing may be an older, more traditional method, but it can produce high quality and richly colored prints that are extremely durable. It may be difficult to know which one is best for a design on clothing. On the other hand, a downside to DTG is that it may not penetrate into the garment as much as with screen printing. It is possible to print thousands of labels in a short period of time. Areas of the print material which need to be left clear are covered with an impermeable substance to prevent ink contamination. This method is most typically compared to an at-home printer. A potential con is that screen printing works best with designs that are less intricate with limited colors. See more detail on some of the pros and cons of each print technique below. In this case, it will be worth the upfront investment costs. They are pigments and dyes. With so many options, it’s sometimes difficult to know how to decide between on-demand digital vs. screen printing. Modern screen printing has been around since the early 1900’s (anciently designed by the Chinese) and has gained popularity over the years as the go-to process for printing on clothing and a variety of materials like plastic, glass, and metals. Screen printing is done by water-based ink that is permanent that is squeezed through a screen. Screen printing still has its place in printing and manufacturing - and likely always will - but digital provides more quality options now and in the future. Where clients need to print on lighter coloured materials, though, digital printing may not be suitable if the printer cannot utilise white ink. Clients with a requirement for a good deal of signage or display requirements often opt for a mix of screen print and digital print solutions, dependent on the clarity and colour contrast needed in the final print products. An embroidered design, which is stitched straight into the fabric, is much more likely to last for longer than a screen printed design, which is printed on top of the fabric. If you can’t find what you are looking for on our website,call us on 0800 083 0260 to discuss your requirements, How clear signage can help us to safely emerge from lockdown. When you want to add a design to an article of clothing, there are two primary methods to choose fromscreen printing and heat press. DTG also uses water-based ink, making it an eco-friendly choice. When it comes to gradients with smooth transitions, subtle elements like smoke that fade into the shirt, or precise blends like those needed for skin tones, digital printing is much more reliable than screen printing. In addition, pretreating light garments as well as dark will help with the cotton’s washability and enrich the colors in the image. The great thing about screen printing is that it works well on a wide range of fabrics, and easily accommodates specialty items like caps that can be more difficult to print with DTG. Ink in digital printing is applied directly to the print material using either a laser jet or inkjet printer. Screen printing is a method of printing that gives you your artwork laid down layer-by-layer with a solid base underneath. Screen printing is the traditional method of printing on textiles. Also, if you don’t want a color that’s straight out of the can, you can ask for different shades and blends. Screen Printing . However, the labor-intensive process of turning your design into multiple stencils limits the number of colors you can use. Your email address will not be published. Visit our website or check out our blog for more printing tips. Digital printing is a more modern technique, which involves creating a digital print image on computers and this is then printed directly onto the print material. The durability of a print depends on the inks that are used, the quality of the machine, and whether or not it has been properly pretreated and cured. DTG is cost-effective for short runs since there is minimal upfront investment in equipment compared to screen printing. The Verdict: Digital printing. Digital printing and screen printing are in fact complementary approaches, even on the production floor. That’s because the ink can exactly match any color in the entire Pantone range. Screen Printing VS Digital Printing – 2020 Comparison Guide. Since digital printers copy the entire design in one go, they win at digital vs. screen printing quality and offer better turnout duration. All the different ink colours are applied using a different screen stencil to create the final printed effect. The ink is fused into the fibers of the fabric to create a softer look and feels that is long-lasting. Both Vinyl and screen printing offer high quality and one of the most durable products in the printing industry. We take a look at the different types of t-shirt printing and answer questions like what's the difference between digital printing and screen printing. Now we have a fight. Other benefits include: One of the main disadvantages of screen printing is that it has a much higher initial setup cost than digital printing and takes more time. Each color is applied one layer of ink at a time; however, some colors benefit from a second layer of ink after a quick cure. The ink doesn’t soak into the fabric, but lays on top of the product. The garments with silk screen printing can withstand the roughness of machine washing as the ink is heat dried. Advantages include: As can be seen, digital printing is really ideal for small print orders where it’s important to be able to include a number of different colours and customisation effects or photographic imagery. Print is not as durable as screen prints; Fewer options of printable fabrics; Printing in bulk does not offer cost reductions because of fixed prices; Digital printing, while more limited than screen printing in some ways, is a fine choice for finely detailed images or designs that feature complex gradients. This printing method can print on demand and does not require a minimum quantity order like screen printing typically does. If you are looking to print bulk orders of authentic, simple designs with a few colors, then screen printing is the best option. Silk Screen Printing Pros . Once the machine starts running, the printing process is very quick. Whether you are making the shirt on your own or allowing a professional to do it, you should understand the differences between the two. For the best quality and durability, 100% cotton material is the best choice since the ink bonds to the fabric better than polyester, tri-blends, or other kinds of fabrics. And, finally, you won’t achieve economies of scale in print costs if you opt for digital printing as prices remain the same, irrespective of the number of prints required. And with little to no setup. Your design is uploaded to a computer that then prints directly onto your merchandise. Each screen must then be positioned, or registered, to each other on the press so the colors line up properly on the finished garment. The ink, while good quality, is not as durable as the ink from screen printing. Digital printing does not apply to all kinds of textures. The fact that these products are printed by hand also allows for unique products like water bottles, koozies and mugs, as the printer can manually handle curved or uneven surfaces. Other cons of screen printing include: We always advise clients to opt for screen printing if they need higher quality, more professional appearance for prints. Clients looking for printing advice very often ask us about the differences between digital printing and screen printing, so we’ve compiled this useful guide and discussion of the two print methods to help you make the decision on the best way forward for your specific print job. Contemporary developments in digital printing also mean that it’s more widely used for a number of different print materials nowadays, including glass and wood. For overall durability and quality, silkscreen stickers are simply superior to digital stickers. Both techniques offer different advantages, but usually cannot be used interchangeably depending on your design and printing goals. Subsequently, colors are applied one by one to the shirt, which is then dried and cured to complete your final product. Individual screens must be made for each color used in the design. The print will be bright even on the dark fabrics. Suitable for large batches ; When you need hundreds and thousands of stickers, always opt for a computerized option between digital vs. screen printing. Printed apparel that features simple designs is the best choice for this printing method and will increase production time. Screen Printing. Very often our clients tend to let us make the decision on which print technique will be best for their needs after we’ve had a chance to take a look at their design and the specified print materials. However, we ensure our clients are aware of the extra amount of time needed to prepare the screens and the cost implications of screen printing. Durability of Embroidery vs Screen Print Durability is another concern, and this is where embroidery is often the better choice. Plus, digital printing allows us to offer custom tees with no minimum order requirement, unlike screen printing, which has a 12-piece minimum because of its extensive prep time. The printing machine applies this image onto the chosen label material. Digital printing is perfect for custom printing, detailed designs, or designs that utilize several colors. If the design is more complex, it will take longer to complete. Before you set off to create your own t-shirt design, here are the ins and outs of digital printing vs screen printing. Each separated color is exposed to individual screens. We’ve previously written about what high quality screen printing is (and why we have thousands of happy customers through using it), but there’s another type of printing that you may have heard of called Digital Printing (which is also known as Direct To Garment, or DTG). CMYK vs RGB: What’s best for digital printing? If you are looking to print bulk orders of authentic, simple designs with a few colors, then screen printing is the best option. If you need to print intricate designs, a wide range of colors, or photo-realistic images, DTG is the best option. Your email address will not be published. Screen Printing vs Digital Printing. Compared to DTG, screen printing has better washability but that doesn’t mean that DTG isn’t durable. Screen printing goes back to the 18th and 19th century. Exile Technologies sells high-quality DTG printers and other innovative pre-press solutions that will fulfill your printing needs. Screen printing is a versatile method which uses durable inks, it only prints one colour at a time & is better suited to large quantities. Still, digital material itself may be more expensive than the same material used in screen printing, because many printers order special ink adhesion coatings to ensure the digital ink sticks. Source: fogra.org Today, there is a growing interest in the market for customization, branding, and unusual design for everyday things. Better long-term durability when washed repeatedly. Many companies offer various forms of printing. 4. If there is a problem and a DTG print isn’t as durable after washing, then it could be that it was not correctly pretreated or cured. DTG printing is recommended for full-colour designs with lots of details (like illustrations, gradients, photographs, etc.) If all of these steps are done correctly, then a DTG print should hold very well over multiple washes. Required fields are marked *. Screen printing is most suitable for bulk orders that don’t require much customisation or wide use of different colours. Silkscreen Printing is Just Better. This method is capable of printing large amounts of garments much quicker and more economically than digital printing. The ones I'll touch on include: durability, cost, and order size. The surface of the plate is coated with fast-drying ink. Silk-screen printing is an old technique, basically, you push the ink through a prepared screen, so that the design is printed on the substrate, for us silk-screen printers, usually on a fabric. This is done using a screen made of nylon mesh. Everyone wants his or her own unique shirt, whether it is a t-shirt or a sports uniform. It’s difficult, though, to state categorically which technique is better as the answer is really not that obvious. Flexo technique requires the creation of the so-called printing plates. 0. There are several factors to consider when determining which print application is right for your project. It’s time to rethink digital printing vs screen printing The design potential of printed glass enhances the use of glass to enable the creation of unique, beautiful, and functional interior and exterior surfaces, with excellent results. Now that you know more about DTG vs screen printing durability and the pros and cons of each when it comes to cost-effectiveness, quality, quantity, and the finished product, you can pick which method works best for your business and print custom apparel that will properly showcase your client’s brand. Another advantage of screen printing is that although it is time-consuming and takes skill, it creates beautiful and vibrant prints. Digital vs. Screen Printing. Screen printing will produce a vibrant, durable design with more saturated colors than the DTG process. Digital printing works like a big inkjet printer for products. Posted on September 14, 2018December 18, 2019 Last edited: December 18, 2019. Both methods offer their own advantages and disadvantages. Screen printing is a more traditional t-shirt customization method in which each color in a design is separated and burned to individual fine-mesh screens. Compared to DTG, screen printing has better washability but that doesn’t mean that DTG isn’t durable. Cons of digital printing. In todays society, it is important that we stand out instead of blend in. To ensure the longterm washability of a print, avoid using hot water, harsh detergents, or excessively hot or long dry times. With screen printing, a special screen has to be made for each element of your design. Justin Haynes 6 days ago. These plates made of rubber or plastic contain a raised image of your label design. Screen printing can bring to life designs that have minimal detail or amount of colors within the … If your design requires full color and is very detailed, then screen printing may not be the best option. Screen print ink is also more durable and weather-resistant than digital ink, especially when compared to ink from standard roll presses. Get in touch with Borney UK today to discuss your screen or digital print requirements in more detail, we’ll happily discuss further benefits of different print techniques to suit your requirements more exactly. The other main drawback of digital printing is that it’s just not as durable as screen printing, but it’s an absolutely ideal solution for unique events and one-off display purposes. Although screen printing offers a higher quality print output, digital printing is becoming extremely popular as it entails far less pre-press artwork which makes it far more cost-effective. 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