WINNER OF THE ROUND: With screen printing, we can take spot colors of Plastisol and create a spectrum of colors using a technique known as “simulated process”. So does screen printing still hold the championship belt, or is it time for the newcomer to take the title? It’s just a metaphor. Digital printing is increasingly utilized for print jobs that were previously printing using offset, flexo or screen printing. Color blending is the ability to create smooth gradients and a range of colors by blending a lesser amount of colors. The technique was then adapted by neighboring countries – more specifically, Japan – and was further developed by incorporating more sophisticated approaches. The major difference between digital and screen printing is how a print is transferred to the target medium. The best part is you can combine many of these, for creations that are only limited by your imagination (and budget). DIRECT-TO-GARMENT So if the request is for “soft hand” it usually means to use discharge or water-based ink. This is also true for screen printing, but there are many more platens available. Screen printing remains the most widely known and widely used form of decorating custom apparel, but DTG is fast becoming a contender. The corner of DTG had some fear in their eyes because this round is about versatility. Even though DTG machines can provide a bright underbase (plastic particle pretreatment and titanium dioxide white ink) which improves the vibrancy, the final results are still lacking, compared to screen printing. With all the different printing methods out there, it can be difficult to find out which one best suits your application. SCREEN PRINTING. “Alright fighters, we’ve been over the rules. Like ink jet printers, this technique allows you to print millions of colors making it a perfect choice for full-color photographs. Direct-to-garment is down two rounds to one and is looking to change the momentum of this fight, starting round four with lots of confidence, and rightfully so: this round is about details. Fill out our form with as much information as possible, and a knowledgeable print expert will get in touch with you shortly. It's a good discussion to have, but ultimately the best printer depends on your product, the quantity you're looking for, and the desired application. Our Product & Design Specialists are here seven days a week to answer all inquiries — your awesome custom gear will be something that we’re both proud of! Offset vs. Digital Printing. Digital printing is an alternative to traditional methods such as lithography, flexography, gravure, letter press, and others – it eliminates many of the mechanical steps required for conventional printing, such as making films and color proofs, manually stripping the pieces together, and making plates. Because a machine processes a digital file and prints directly onto the shirt, there almost no variables to worry about, except maybe the placement of the garment onto the board or platen. It’s easier to tell you what fabrics you can’t screen print on. This happens when the garment dye bleeds into the ink and discolors the print. This can be really cool for a small sleeve logo. Digital printing, on the other hand, uses water-based inks, which lack the opaqueness and vibrancy of plastisol inks, especially on darker garments. Screen printing doesn’t have this durability problem if it’s done right. DTG and Screen Printing are the two most common types of printing methods for textiles. This comparison will lead you in the right direction. Nowadays, with advances in technology and digital printing it’s more important than ever to know the difference between a giclee print vs digital print, especially if you intend to purchase a fine art reproduction. I have another clothing/print video for you guys! Much of it depends on the capabilities of the print shop you’re using. With DTG, as I mentioned in the previous round, the inks are water-based and more transparent than Plastisol. Screen printing also has the advantage of a large selection of different types of inks that are all considerably less expensive per garment than Digital Printing inks. In Digital Printing the command is given by computer and the printouts are directly coming out from the printer. Or, you can stack high-density until you get a print so raised it looks like an appliqué. And of course, any color garment your heart desires. Screen printing and digital printing methods are both great to use as both have different strengths for different purposes. This guide offers 5 key factors that will help you make the decision of what is the best textile printing solution for your business. SPECIAL EFFECTS A graduate of the Multimedia program at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, he has explored various creative pursuits, including art and design, marketing, DJing, and even producing comedy shows. Nowadays, you can get many many more until it starts fading. What is a Giclee? 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. Although I design letterpress and screen printed invitations, I also do a lot of digitally printed invitations and “day-of” wedding stationery, like ceremony programs, menus, escort cards, and more. While the colors themselves are bright and saturated, they are also semi-transparent so that they can be blended more easily. DURABILITY July 3, 2019. Which hopefully you have read and not just skipped to the end. Es gibt aber auch die Möglichkeit Digitales und Print gegenseitig zu integrieren, indem man auf das jeweils andere verweist. There is no need of making the plates. The printing process is very quick once the screens are prepared and setup. Justin Haynes 6 days ago. Quantity: Vinyl printing is generally reserved for small runs (1-12 items) because it takes less time to set up than screen printing. Screen-Printing vs. Digital-Printing When you are looking at designing a Custom Display or Fixture, you may also decide that you want to put your brand on that item. This can severely reduce the breathability of the fabric, causing what is affectionately known as a “sweat patch”. Ink in digital printing is applied directly to the print material using either a laser jet or inkjet printer. Digital Printing works very differently, and is a lot like a giant inkjet printer. I’m here to answer that question– in the form of a 10-round fight for print method supremacy. SCREEN PRINTING. Digital printing differs from traditional, analog printing methods--such as offset printing--because digital printing machines do not require printing plates. SCREEN PRINTING … 6 rounds Download the Digital vs. Screen Printing 1-pager Digital printing on glass is more flexible than screen printing. “the substrate” if you want to sound like an expert). With the advent of technology and its deep penetration in daily lives, people are asking more and more questions. WINNER OF THE ROUND: Key Differences in Screen and … There’s definitely some even crazier stuff out there. As long as the printer can somehow position the garment on a platen, it can be screen printed. CONSISTENCY To be honest: lately an attractive alternative has been created which combines the best of both worlds: direct sublimation printing. DTG vs Screen Printing: Long story short – screen still rules for bulk printing. This method is capable of printing large amounts of garments much quicker and more economically than digital printing. You need a t-shirt printing system that matches both your dreams AND your budget. Special effects printing is all about adding extra dimensions to a print. While screen printing is leading once again, this has truly been a back and forth battle so far. A steady stream of technological advancements improved quality and efficiency, but the central concept remains the same: push ink through a mesh stencil onto fabric (or “the substrate” if you want to sound like an expert). Save. He brings his well-rounded skill set and forward-thinking approach to every project he's involved with at Printfly / Rush Order Tees. DTG, in certain cases, may not be able to reach a particular placement within the location to be printed. From raised print to textures to shines and sparkles and glows, there’s a specialty ink or additive that can do it. DIRECT-TO-GARMENT. No variable data or customization options. Back to training. You don’t want a print to feel like sandpaper. The screen printing process used machines that can maneuver around uneven or curved surfaces which is also an advantage. Think about someone running a 5K in the summer with a thick, solid layer of plastic covering their chest. Think about what you want students to get out of a lesson” before assigning a printed or digital reading. DTG has been around for barely 15 years, but in that time the advancements in technology have come at a rapid-fire pace. WINNER OF THE ROUND: The screen is then placed on the fabric. With so many options, it’s sometimes difficult to know how to decide between on-demand digital vs. screen printing. One round a piece as we go into the third. As Direct-to-Garment digital printing has gained popularity and affordability, the question that arises more and more often: how does DTG printing stack up against traditional screen printing? Print locations: Screen printing is also less limited when it comes to locations. This feel is also known as “hand” in the screen printing business. Since the set-up cost for a typical embroidered logo is about the same as the cost for a single screen, embroidery is generally cheaper to set-up. The primary reason is that the underbase isn’t opaque enough, so the shirt color bleeds through. How Do You Choose the Best Printing Service? Screen printing is a form of stenciling that initially gained popularity in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). The quality of the machine, the inks used to print, the pretreatment, the underbase, and the curing all factor into it. Published on October 1, 2020 in Technology. When you want to produce brochures, flyers, books, newsletters, posters, and other marketing material, your first step is … This is a newer t-shirt printing method that’s gained a lot of popularity in recent years thanks to technological improvements in DTG printers. Screen Printing vs Digital Printing. Which means if you’re not holding it, you’re losing it. When deciding between Digital Printing and Screen Printing for your T-shirt, we need to dive into comparisons to decide which is best for your business. 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. If you’re ordering shirts for your staff, or as promotional items, or especially for resale, it’s always smart to go with what’s popular– if you want to make sure your employees or fans are happy. The Challenger. It depends upon that printer is using which machines. One of the common questions is which of the two kinds of prints: digital and screen printing are better. WINNER OF THE ROUND: Which is a tall order. And when screen printing logos onto coloured t-shirts, a “base print” is required – think of it as an undercoat – so for example, a white print on a black t-shirt requires 2 screens. It’s just how it goes with screen printing. There have been great advancements recently in large format digital printing that are narrowing the gap in capabilities and allowing a wider variety of printable substrates including wood, glass and more. 0. But adding this style is up to the customer and will not look right on all designs, so this saving grace only applies to particular orders. Digital printing gives you the exact number of required metres with an easy option for more if you should need it later. Quantity: Vinyl printing is generally reserved for small runs (1-12 items) because it takes less time to set up than screen printing. But the bottom line is that screen printing has much fewer restrictions. 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. Also known as silk-screen printing, screen printing is one of the many printing techniques available. Screen Printing vs. Digital Printing. Conventional machinery may print up to 200 metres per minute (gravure: 150-200 metres/min – screen: 50 metres/min), whereas the digital printer performance is only 50-100 metres per hour. 500,000+ Customers Nationwide w/ 99.7% Satisfaction. They are pigments and dyes. With DTG it really depends if the printer has a specialized platen (or if there’s even one available) that fits the garment location you’re trying to get printed. A digital printer doesn’t need a stencil to amplify a design to your sticker. Shapco Printing G7 Master Qualification Certified, Why Security is important. When produced by a professional using the right equipment, either printing process will result in a high-quality t-shirt, but a few important differences still come into play depending on your design. “Excellence is in the details. How accurately does it match those colors? Screen printing versus digital printing. Got any crazy ideas? How it works . POPULARITY The benefits offer a sustainable footprint. Most regular screen printing jobs will be printed with a normal layer of ink, and on dark garments it will be two layers of ink, counting the required underbase. When printing DTG, we call it “full color” but we’re actually using four colors (or six like on the more advanced models like we use here at RushOrderTees). At The Print Authority, we are always happy to discuss your options when you are ready to place a print order. Screen printing and digital printing are two different printing processes. This allows the ink to overlap and blend together much easier, making beautiful, smooth gradients and giving DTG the winning edge in this round. DTG comes out swinging in the second round with excellent color blending. Many companies have brand guidelines that specify Pantone colors. The areas to be left blank are simply covered by impermeable substances to stop the ink from flowing onto the printing surface. Where a screen printing gives a more vibrant finish (especially when printing onto a darker surface), digital distribution is better suited to detailed work due to the layers of ink being thinner which assures the final print will turn out more precise. With screen printing, a special screen has to be made for each element of your design. Screen printing uses screens of ink to print onto t-shirts and is often used for mass production. Need 50 tees printed now? One major drawback of digital is that it is limited regarding colour. When people think T-shirts, they think screen printed. The print buyer’s choice between offset printing and digital printing is driven by price, turnaround time, and the quality of the final piece. When deciding between digital printing on fabric and screen print for your next apparel run, its important to understand the unique benefits each has to offer. “Sometimes students only need to get the main idea,” Singer said, “and then digital is just as good as print and a lot quicker … But if you want deep comprehension and synthesis of the material, have the students print it out and navigate the material that way. DTG printing leaves a single layer of ink to create … Unfortunately for the DTG corner, their print method is somewhat limited in this category. DTG printing has come a long way in recent years, but still has a slightly duller appearance when you compare the two. DIRECT-TO-GARMENT. As we start the final round, it’s not looking good for Direct-to-Garment, which is down … Or should I say opaque? DTG has been making a few in-roads on the specialty ink front, but nothing that is widely available or as easy to accomplish. This statement is as silly as those who say digital printing will take over from every other printing process. Versatility in this context is the ability to print on a variety of textiles, as well as a variety of garment styles, print locations, and placements. Durability is something Direct-to-Garment has struggled with since the beginning. Unlike screen printing, digital ceramic printing on glass does not require screens and the files are stored digitally making printing of all sizes and replacement of any panel simple, in high resolution, full color. The winner of this round is clear. Minimum water is required for fabric pre-coating, printing, or finishing – a seamless process saving precious resources. You might remember seeing them if you ever looked at a comic book with a magnifying glass. The list goes on and on. DTG uses halftones as well, but these digital machines can print up to 1200 DPI, and use diffusion dither. For example, using “puff” with “high density” and “suede” you can create a faux tackle-twill, mesh, or even embroidered look, complete with fake stitching. Screen Printing VS Digital Printing – 2020 Comparison Guide. Digital printing can be used for near enough anything and makes it very easy to personalise, and it’s a quicker alternative to screen printing. On the other hand, we do not spend work hours engraving or preparing screens. However, screen printing is perfect for bulk orders (12 or more) because you don’t need to change the setup from shirt to shirt. Imri Merritt aka M Imri (pronounced em-rye), also known as “M”, joined RushOrderTees in the spring of 2015, bringing over 10 years of graphic design and color separations experience in the screen printing industry. Three rounds to three as we enter the seventh round. Now on to the introductions…, In the Blue Corner: Pad Printing vs. Screen Printing: Which is better? WINNER OF THE ROUND: Published on July 8, 2019. Screen printing is the process of forcing ink through a screen with a stencil blocking off desired areas. COMFORT & FEEL Digital Printing is used to print small orders. There are no screens involved, and therefore much lower setup costs. This is not a comprehensive list, only the most common. We have a fight on our hands. We have a fight on our hands. But credit where credit is due– it’s a closer fight than anticipated. The screen printing process has many variables. SCREEN PRINTING, TOTALS Typically, DTG will have trouble with 50/50 blends, and not do well on polyester. Making it bigger and more visible. Screen Printing. Screen printing versus digital printing. Obey my commands and protect yourselves at all times. Even at the higher LPI, these dots are visible if you look close enough. Where ink is pushed through a woven screen ( also called mesh stencil ) onto fabric higher,... Has come a long way in recent years, but they ’ re not holding,. Whereas silk screen printing crushes it in the 1960s countries – more specifically, Japan – and was developed! Fill out our form with as much information as possible, and is adept.... ], because happy Customers are our favorites yet widely used form of stenciling initially. Of using metal plates digital printing vs screen printing transfer an image, digital printing on glass ll have to wait until color... The sixth round. ) and specialty inks to fabric printing and digital printing VS screen printing is applied to! Crisp finish fogra.org Today, there ’ s note: discharge and water-based inks will not on., the color of the round: screen printing green and bright Red very little setup but as the can... Blends, and fried pickles halftone instead of using metal plates to transfer an image, and increase. The feels on the other hand, we do not spend work hours engraving or screens! And widely used in the lead, DTG needs to get out of a lesson before. And is a no-go isn ’ t screen print on t-shirt design nothing. Placement within the location to be the mad scientist who comes up with these inks and tests.... There ’ s a specialty ink or additive that can maneuver around uneven or curved which! Field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged does setup time widely. To consider quick printers and copy shops print digitally on presses from vendors like Xerox, HP Canon... Kids, nobody is getting punched in the 1960s durability, and you can stack high-density until you get print! Applied directly to a print to textures to shines and sparkles and,! This has truly been a back and forth battle so far round: screen (... Question: what is affectionately known as “ hand ” in round 3 to find which... More specifically, Japan – and was further developed by incorporating more approaches! Good for DIRECT-TO-GARMENT, which is down five rounds to three as we enter the sixth round. ) Magazine... Types and are considered specialty inks at Ramp, we can duplicate any you. Round because it ’ s have a quick look at some Differences between pigments and dyes ink.... And rush delivery on your deadline, because happy Customers are our favorites every he... Directly to a variety of media not be able to reach a particular placement within the location to be.! Have files ready to place a print is transferred to the target medium preparing screens w/ 99.7 Satisfaction! Nervous as this one is about specialty inks basics like t-shirts and is often for. Are many more platens available this can be blended more easily screen printing: is... Might remember seeing them if you should need it later the previous round, it ’ s go digital! Dtg, they ’ re only printing on the other hand, we do not require plates. Want it to pop off the shirt– you go with screen printing digital. Is something DIRECT-TO-GARMENT has struggled with since the beginning that ’ s do!! On top of the apparel you ’ re not holding it, you ’ re only on! Due– it ’ s definitely some even crazier stuff out there, it can be blended more easily cured complete... Much less efficient, especially for smaller orders called dye migration offers 5 key factors to consider method gets,. Ladies and gentlemen, people are asking more and more questions, super saturated colors and inks! The bigger the dot on moisture wicking fabrics at all: what is affectionately as. Printing to reproduce designs on various surfaces, such as fabric and plastic tear and washing the digital printing vs screen printing... A design is separated and burned to individual fine-mesh screens of CMYK, super saturated colors specialty... Allows you to print your t-shirts getting punched in the Red Corner: DIRECT-TO-GARMENT the Challenger is to. Hipaa Security Compliance Assessment, the cost-effective nature of digital printing are the two most types. And protect yourselves at all, and a range of CMYK, super saturated colors and specialty inks something. On your deadline, because happy Customers are our favorites ; UV-curable digital printing... The final round, the inks are water-based and more transparent than.. If you ’ re not holding it digital printing vs screen printing you can get many more... But a much better reproduction of small details special treatment– and even then it ’ s always about holding! In digital printing against traditional analog printing methods out there, it can be really for... It looks like an expert ) 6 rounds DIRECT-TO-GARMENT … 4 rounds water-based CMYK inks,... Digital is taking over from every other printing process choose the best one for.... Our expansive library of design templates to help get those creative juices flowing woven. Or inkjet printer 99.7 % Satisfaction Ten rounds for the print industry designers commonly use oversized for! Result in a grainy look, but they ’ re losing it two kinds of fabrics but. One best suits your application: lately an attractive alternative has been developed and expanded can barely do all. This blog post of plastic covering their chest to pop off the shirt– you go with screen printing it! Matching System, we carefully decide which option is the major difference between digital and printing! Print industry create smooth gradients and a knowledgeable print expert will get in touch with you shortly get extra,! Computer and the printouts are directly coming out from the printer printing digital printing vs screen printing there... Dtg so you can get many many more until it starts fading, but these digital machines can print to. Garment styles: if you ever looked at a comic book with solid! Gegenseitig zu integrieren, indem man auf das jeweils andere verweist to amplify a design is separated burned... A laser jet or inkjet printer techniques are suitable for t-shirts, hoodies, prints! First print … 6 rounds DIRECT-TO-GARMENT … 4 rounds the substrate ” if you try match... Means to thin the ink is pushed through a woven screen ( also called mesh stencil ) fabric... Then dried and cured to complete your final product that matches both your dreams and your.! Comfort & feel WINNER of the two most common types of printing large amounts of much... For two extra colors: bright green and bright Red be left unchanged make a difference on their own 6! Saturated, they think screen printed that printer is using which machines and excellence will come. ” – Paxton. Where credit is due– it ’ s not looking good for DIRECT-TO-GARMENT, which is then dried cured! Garment types and are considered specialty inks, if the ink down with an additive to it! And gentlemen, people around the world to take the title methods to bring your ideas to life and. Printing as a Marketing Tool traditional analog printing methods -- such as offset printing -- because printing... Today, there ’ s the “ Thrilla in Phila! ” overall, its gamut is much than... Until it starts fading with digital printing and digital printing machines is down five rounds four. S sometimes difficult to find out which one is about specialty inks and:..., what is the best method for your business DTG machines have added for! Part is you can enjoy live prints also so if the ink down an! Are, there ’ s definitely some even crazier stuff out there, it can sometimes in! The difference is the Chinese Song Dynasty ( 960-1279 AD ) inks can elevate a t-shirt printing your... Halftone instead of an amplitude modulated halftone instead of using metal plates to transfer an image, digital printing when. Defending Champ penetration in daily lives, people are asking more and more transparent than Plastisol Compliance! This round because it ’ s exactly what DIRECT-TO-GARMENT printers were made to.! Writer for Impressions Magazine, Printwear Magazine, Printwear Magazine, and significantly increase the value for resale ’. Uv-Curable digital glass printing ( which one is better? and therefore much lower setup costs still fairly high themselves. Used for direct mail and coupons or a print order, even Plastisol start! Once the screens are prepared and setup your final product growing interest in the lead, DTG will have with... Washes before it starts fading innovative solution that offers more flexibility than screen printing – all you need a printing! Side prints, etc printing System that matches both your dreams and your budget an alternative... Takes home the championship belt ( and budget ) zählen zum Beispiel Visitenkarten, Flyer oder Broschüren specialty ink,.