How does screen printing differ from digital textile printing?

One of the most popular printing techniques and used most often by companies for printing on products varying in size and material, silk screening has been used for over a century in the artistic and commercial sectors for printing images and designs on everything from t-shirts and tote bags to ceramics and other materials.

Depending on the aim of the printer and the printing process being used, there are a variety of silk-screen printing types available.

How It Works

When it comes to silk-screening, different materials are used. First, the intended design is printed onto a sheet so that ink can be transferred via a printing frame. The frame is then placed on the intended surface and, with the help of a scraper, the colours are screened (each colour is one layer, with a max of four). When applying a layer with frame ink, the ink is left to dry and can be used for another application.

In recent years, silk-screening has modernized and there’s both ink and machines available that let printers obtain superfine quality for their products. As a result, more companies have begun using silk-screen printing for t-shirts and other items using company logos.

Silk-Screen Benefits

Silk-screen printing offers a variety of benefits and is typically recommended for designs using at a max of four spot colours, such as logos or simple graphic designs. If a printer is looking for shorter runs and needs more complex printing, such as photos or designs utilizing gradations, then digital printing is the preferred option. Silk-screen printing’s main benefits include:

Perfect reproduction of colour.

Personalised item durability.

Excellent quality-price ratio for large printing runs.

Resistant printing to a wide variety of washing techniques.

Below is a table comparing the two methods that can help you decide on which printing process works best.