Screen printing is one of the most popular methods of printing and it’s the most widely used method of t-shirt printing. It is a process that involves pushing ink through a woven mesh stencil onto fabric. The stencil opening creates the space through with the ink will go, to create the design. The ink is then pushed over the mesh, pulled by a fill blade or squeegee. As the blade is pulled, the ink is pushed through the mesh, onto the garment.
If you are going to get your t-shirts, hats or bags with screen printing, you’d better know the following advantages and disadvantages of screen printing:
Advantages
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Cost effective for large quantities
Since this is a method that requires the fabrication of screens for every color used in an artwork, it is best reserved for large orders. The more garments placed in an order then the cheaper the cost per unit will be.
- Easier to print on special garments
It is hard to find a printing method as versatile as screen printing. It can be done on almost any surface as long as it is flat, fabric, wood, plastic and even metal, among many others.
- Various inks can be used
Screen printing allows for greater thickness of the ink than other techniques, which result in greater possibilities when it comes to the finish of the piece.
- Long lasting & durable quality
Due to the composition and thickness of inks used in screen printing, designs placed with this method can withstand far more stress than others without losing the quality of the print.
Disadvantages
- More money for multiple colors
Because of the technique of screen printing, only one color can be applied at a time. Therefore, the number of colors on a t-shirt are limited, and each layer demands more time, another screen and stencil, and ultimately, more money.
- Not practical for small orders
Screen printing needs more prep than other techniques before going into production. This doesn’t make it suitable for “on-demand” printing, which is the creation of a garment as soon as it is ordered.
- Relative Complexity
It might sound like a contradiction, but screen printing can be quite complex depending on the design and project because it has more steps than other methods.
- Not environmentally friendly
While efforts have been made to create eco-friendly inks and screens, it is still a reality that screen printing wastes a lot of water. Water is used to mix up inks and clean the screens, which may not seem like much at first, but manufacturers produce hundreds of garments a day and when we start to add up, it can get scary.
Did you know that we also offer screen printing on all our apparel and accessories? We strive for customer satisfaction, as well as offer bulk discounts and fast turn around. For a free quote, talk to a friendly customer representative today at (877) 695-9722 or email us your inquiry at [email protected].