Screen printing also known as ‘silk screening,’ ‘silk screen printing,’ or ‘serigraphy’ is a traditional print technique that’s been used for centuries. In this printing process, ink is pushed through a stenciled mesh screen onto the surface of the print material. While fabric and paper are the most commonly used screen-printed surfaces, it’s also possible to use screen printing on wood, plastic, and even glass.

Screen printing is a very popular technique used in several industries. It’s highly likely that you’ve worn screen-printed apparel or used a screen-printed product at some point in time.

Benefits of Using Screen Printing\

A major benefit when it comes to screen printing is that it’s an effective solution for bulk printing.

The same stencil can be used to replicate a design multiple times, making it cost-efficient for printing large orders of custom clothing e.g., work uniforms and sports team uniforms. Low cost can also be achieved on bulk orders using an automatic screen printing machine, which is ideal for process or spot color screen printing.

When color matching is critical, screen printing is your go-to option. It’s also one of the best options for designs that need a high level of vibrancy and contrast. The screen printing ink is applied thicker than in digital printing, which results in brighter and more vivid colors even on darker fabrics. While digital printing or direct-to-garment printing works best only on cotton fabrics, screen printing on the other hand works on any fabric from cotton, blends, polyester, and even moisture-wicking athletic fabrics. These prints are very durable and guaranteed to last for a long time.

Aside from fabrics, screen printing is often used for printing promotional products like mugs, water bottles, golf balls, etc. Using a manual screen printing process, the printer can print on curved, uneven, and a variety of print surfaces. This is harder and sometimes impossible to achieve on a digital printer.

Screen Printing vs Digital Printing – Which to Use?

Which printing method works best for you depends on a range of factors – the volume of items you need to print, the material you are printing on, the design and color quality required, and your budget.

When you are running a tight schedule, require a lower print quantity, have a complex design, or need the flexibility to make frequent changes to your print, then digital printing may work best for you. Screen printing is better suited for high quantity, high durability, and low number-of-color runs

Screen printing also allows for versatile design placement.

CAD Reprographics LLC is an established printing services leader in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Contact us today at our website cadreprographics.com and you can be assured that our print experts will provide the best print method for your specific needs.