With the numerous garment printing techniques available, it can be confusing to understand the differences between them and when best to use each method. The two most common forms of garment printing are screen printing and digital printing. Both have their uses, and this guide will give you an overview of the techniques, the advantages, and disadvantages of both, when to use them, and why.
Screen Printing
Screen printing, also known as silk screen printing or serigraphy, is a traditional print technique that has been around for centuries. Screen printing involves pushing ink through a stenciled mesh screen placed above a garment, creating a printed design. A separate stencil is made for each color of the image, and the ink is pushed through each stencil to build up the final design with all the colors. Ink is mixed for each print job, so Pantone color matching is possible.
Digital Printing
Digital printing is a fairly modern technique where the ink is printed directly onto the fabric in the same way an inkjet printer prints onto paper. The garment is then heat-pressed to seal the print onto the fabric. The printer uses CMYK ink, which provides a much wider range of colors than other ink systems.
Quantity
Depending on if you need 1 or 200 bags, one print method may be more cost-effective. DTG printing doesn’t cost much to set up, making it a more cost-effective option for printing small batches or single items. For large orders, screen printing is better as the setup cost is spread over a larger quantity.
Product
What type of product do you want to print on? Is it constructed from a man-made fiber or natural cotton? DTG is limited here as it is recommended to print only on 100% cotton and struggles with 50/50 blends, polyester, and technical fabrics such as nylon. Dyed fabrics can also cause problems for DTG due to dye migration, which can cause discoloration. Screen printing can print on any color and any fabric, including cotton, blends, polyester, denim, performance fabrics, and more.
Design
Is your design one color, or a gradient? Does it include lots of intricate patterns or detailed drawings? For photographs or designs with photographic detail, DTG printing is the best choice. For gradients with smooth transitions, details such as fine lines, and skin tones, digital printing is much more reliable than screen printing. However, for vibrant colors and clean lines, screen printing outperforms DTG.
Colour Matching
If you need to Pantone match to your branding or specific colors, then screen printing is the option to choose. The inks are mixed for each print job, so if you have a specific Pantone in mind, the ink mixer can match it. Matching colors accurately is extremely important for corporate branding, making screen printing perfect for logos and other branded merchandise. Screen printing offers a range that includes almost every color.
Budget
Do you have a big budget or a smaller budget that needs to include more units? Screen printing becomes more cost-effective the more units you get printed. For bulk amounts over 200, consider simplifying an intricate design to make it more suitable for screen printing.
The Look
Screen printing generally uses only a few solid colors, whereas digital printing can replicate photographic detail and intricate designs.
The Feel
Even with thick ink coverage, screen prints on garments will always feel soft to the touch. The feel can differ if your design is vibrant and printed on a darker garment as opposed to a white or light-colored fabric. DTG will feel almost exactly like the garment that is getting printed. However, if the garment is darker, a white layer of ink is applied first so the colors can show up, giving a similar feel to screen printing.
The Colors
Screen printing produces vibrant colors, and the ink can be Pantone matched. The colors with DTG are duller, and although advancements have been made, it is still impossible to match Pantones.
DTG:
Screen Printing:
DTG:
Screen Printing:
As you can see, there are disadvantages and advantages to each technique. Choosing the right technique depends on a range of factors: the fabric you are printing on, your design, your budget, the quantity, and the look and feel you are after. Generally, digital printing is better suited to detailed work, while screen printing provides more vibrant colours and the ability to print on a wider variety of fabrics.
For more up to date information about our print methods here at BIDBI, please check out our print method guide below
