| SCREEN PRINTING vs HEAT TRANSFERS | ||
| WHAT IS SCREEN PRINTING? Screen-printing is a print process where a design or logo is printed directly onto the fabric or garment by way of a mesh screen. The printer will transfer the inks through the screen to the garment with a squeegee to achieve the desired result. The process involves exact pressures, specialized water based printing inks, and heat curing to result in a long lasting print. Screen printing is permanent and depending on the colour of shirt and type of ink used, screen printing will have a softer feel. WHAT IS A HEAT TRANSFER? A heat transfer is a digital print that is printed on a special vinyl and pressed onto the fabric with a heat press. Heat transfers are printed digitally with a large format printer using solvent based inks, then they are cut out with the machine, lined up to the fabric and pressed into place with a high temperature heat press. This method of printing is not as permanent and hard-wearing as screen printing, but is ideal for quick turnaround, one-off’s or small print runs with many colours as well as individual names and number on garments. |
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| SCREEN PRINTING VS DIGITAL HEAT TRANSFERS | PRO'S |
CON'S |
| SCREEN PRINTING |
• Long Lasting, a traditional form of printing • Cost effective on larger quantities, the more you print, the cheaper they become • Softer feel than transfers. Can iron the print |
• Expensive on smaller quantities as it requires a screen and setup for each colour • Minimum of around 10 one colour prints to make it cost effective |
| HEAT TRANFER PRINTS |
• Cost effective for small runs of printing. No minimum order. • Can do individual names or numbers without heavy setup costs • Can produce a design in full colour with good detail inexpensively |
• Not as permanent as screen printing. Cracks and fades with time. • Rubbery feel • Cannot iron the print • Expensive on large quantities of garments |
| IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAT TRANSFER SHIRTS AND SCREEN PRINTED SHIRTS? Yes. Simply put silk screened shirts are printed to last where as heat transfers are not. It all depends on how long you want to use the shirt for and the budget available. HOW LONG WILL SCREEN PRINTING LAST? Unlike a transfer which sits on top of a garment, screen printing ink actually penetrates and is cured into the fabric. Depending on the care of the garment – screen printing can last as long as the garment itself. |
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