T-Shirt Screen Printing Benefits and Drawbacks
This method of printing was developed many hundreds of years ago and this method is still used today in order to print t-shirts. The process involves transferring an image from a stencil to a t-shirt, using a screen by pressing the screen against the material. Images made of different pieces require more than one screen. Advantages and disadvantages can be found in this process just as with any other type of printing process.
Advantages
Virtually anyone can do this type of printing.
There is not a more widely used form of t-shirt printing.
Images from the screenprint process have the capability of being very detailed. This method of printing allows for light colors to be applied over dark colored t-shirts. The edges are also always very clean as well.
This type of printing lasts far longer than other methods. Most inks used for the process are very color fast and will last a lot longer. Transfers fade quickly and can also crack and peel.
You can easily store stencils that you use for your designs for later use.
Logos and text can be quickly printed with virtually no effort.
Clothing like t-shirts can easily be mass produced..
Cost-effective- Mostly this is in regards to larger print runs. Small businesses typically do not do screen printing because the costs of materials and time are more so than larger scale productions.
It is more economical to order in bulk because you end up paying less than if you ordered in a bunch of smaller quantities.
It is professionally done.
Disadvantages
It takes a lot more time. Multiple colors means multiple screens. The set up time and cleaning time for each screen is time consuming.
The color choices are smaller.
Many shirts have to be printed at the same time and having the same color in order for the venture to be cost effective.
It can be expensive. The cost of materials goes up every time you have to use more raw materials for one specific job.
The production process can get messy. It will cost time to clean up between runs.
It is very difficult to screen print photographs if they can be done at all. Reproduction of photographs is best done via the use of dedicated screens for each specific job.
Some people think that printing things on t-shirts is a simple process involving no skill at all. To be honest it really is a work of art. It does not matter which process you decide to use. Whether it is a heated transfer or screens, just make sure that the method you use is appropriate for your design.
Advantages
Virtually anyone can do this type of printing.
There is not a more widely used form of t-shirt printing.
Images from the screenprint process have the capability of being very detailed. This method of printing allows for light colors to be applied over dark colored t-shirts. The edges are also always very clean as well.
This type of printing lasts far longer than other methods. Most inks used for the process are very color fast and will last a lot longer. Transfers fade quickly and can also crack and peel.
You can easily store stencils that you use for your designs for later use.
Logos and text can be quickly printed with virtually no effort.
Clothing like t-shirts can easily be mass produced..
Cost-effective- Mostly this is in regards to larger print runs. Small businesses typically do not do screen printing because the costs of materials and time are more so than larger scale productions.
It is more economical to order in bulk because you end up paying less than if you ordered in a bunch of smaller quantities.
It is professionally done.
Disadvantages
It takes a lot more time. Multiple colors means multiple screens. The set up time and cleaning time for each screen is time consuming.
The color choices are smaller.
Many shirts have to be printed at the same time and having the same color in order for the venture to be cost effective.
It can be expensive. The cost of materials goes up every time you have to use more raw materials for one specific job.
The production process can get messy. It will cost time to clean up between runs.
It is very difficult to screen print photographs if they can be done at all. Reproduction of photographs is best done via the use of dedicated screens for each specific job.
Some people think that printing things on t-shirts is a simple process involving no skill at all. To be honest it really is a work of art. It does not matter which process you decide to use. Whether it is a heated transfer or screens, just make sure that the method you use is appropriate for your design.
Source...