It is possible to print virtually anything onto a shirt or other fabric.
Printing an image, logo, or design on a T-shirt or some other cloth article is a great way to convey messages, use company branding, or create unique merchandise. There are two ways to add a design to fabrics, either by the traditional screen printing method or by digitally printing directly to the fabric. Both of these methods have advantages and disadvantages, depending on the type of printing you want to do.
The Processes
While the final outcome of both methods of printing is similar, the processes involved vary greatly. A tradition screen-printed shirt requires a different screen for each color to be printed, and each screen must be lined up evenly to make a clear image.This method takes a fairly skilled hand to execute. Digital printing is almost completely automated and prints all colors at the same time, requiring less personal involvement and technical skill in the printing process.
Printing Speed
The speed at which you can print with either method is variable, but overall, a screen print is faster than a digital print. Screen printing requires a person to squeegee ink through a screen onto the fabric. Since adding a color only takes one or two strokes on a screen, this can be done relatively quickly. A digital printer processes all of the colors at once, and runs at a relatively slower speed than the traditional screen print.
Detail
A digital printer can print very fine details that a screen print cannot. Digital printers can take a design directly from a computer and replicate every detail in the printing process using mathematical precision in the application and mixture of ink. Screen printing requires multiple screens with varying ink quantities, and the screens can only allow so much or so little ink to pass through, which limits the detail of a design.
Cost
The cost of printing using either a screen printer or a digital printer can vary depending on the job. If you only need a small quantity of material printed, a digital printer is more cost-effective on short runs, but for larger quantities of printed material, it's typically better to use a screen printer. The cost difference is loosely based on the amount of ink required. Screen printing involves higher set-up costs.
Tags: digital printer, screen print, printing process, printing requires, screen printer
