Screen printing, often referred to as silk screens, is a popular printing technique. Even with digitisation taking over most domains and industries, screen printing continues to dominate the apparel industry. Screen printing allows the production of high-quality designs in huge volumes at a very low cost, factors that appeal the most to the fashion businesses.
Screen Printing in the Manufacturing of Clothing
With t-shirt screen printing in Auckland and all over the world gaining popularity, it is interesting to emphasise the role of the technique in the modern clothing industry. Whether it’s the vibrant graphics on t-shirts worn by famous band musicians or the delicate patterns on a high-street clothing brand, screen printing is capable of transforming a simple fabric into a statement piece.
You might wonder how screen printing maintains its relevance in spite of the fashion world evolving and embracing new technologies. This is because the printing technique works wonderfully well on a wide range of materials. It is versatile and applicable to a varied spectrum of textiles, including cotton, denim, polyester, and silk.
Screen printing offers cost benefits, too. It is suitable for both small and large-scale productions, depending on the businesses’ requirements. Irrespective of the size of the order, the consistent output ensures that each printed piece exhibits quality. This ensures that the brand delivers reliable and unique products to its customers.
The process of screen printing is sometimes complex, requiring skilled workers and advanced equipment. Therefore, hiring a company offering screen printing solutions is important whether you are a business entrepreneur looking for quality merchandise or a fashion enthusiast experimenting with fashionable clothing.
This brings us to the question of how to choose a reliable screen printing company. Let’s find out.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Screen Printing Company
Work Quality
Check the quality of the work your chosen screen printing company promises to deliver. Look into their portfolio to get an idea of the variety of projects they have executed and the vibrance of the prints. Determine if this meets your expectations.
Service Scope
Different screen printing companies offer different services in terms of design techniques, automation solutions, and post-production services, such as tagging, bagging, and folding. Make sure the company’s service scope aligns well with your requirements.
Reviews and Ratings
Customer reviews effectively point out the reputation of a company in the industry. Check for reviews and ratings from previous customers and take note of what they say regarding the responsiveness, work quality and customer satisfaction offered by the company. If a service provider has been able to satisfy its customers, it is likely that it will not leave scope for your disappointments, either.
Screen Printing vs. Other Printing Methods
Having said a lot about screen printing, let’s quickly compare this process with the other common printing techniques to find out how it stands out.
Screen Printing vs. Heat Transfer
Both screen printing and heat transfers are popular ways to decorate apparels and each has its benefits. Heat transfer is about printing a design onto a heat transfer paper and then pressing onto the fabric using high heat. The process is suited for complex multi-colour designs but for smaller print runs. The designs are less durable and lose their vibrance after multiple washes.
Screen printing, in comparison, is excellent in terms of durabilitily, brightness of colour and designs and for producing in large quantities. The initial set up cost is higher and at times, the process might seem elaborate and time-consuming.
Screen Printing vs. Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing
Direct-to-garment printing, or DTG, is yet another popular method, and it involves directly applying ink to the fabric using a printer. The process works well for printing intricate and multicolour designs and is suited for short runs, too. However, the vibrance of the prints is not satisfactory when placed on darker fabrics. Screen printing, on the other hand, works fine on dark fabrics and is a good choice for smaller, detailed projects as well. Overall, screen printing is more cost-effective than DTG, so it is preferred over the other.
From these comparisons, it is clear that screen priting strikes a fine balance of quality design, affordability and large-scale printing possibilities. In terms of effects and finishes, it stands out from the other methods. With screen printing, the possibilities are vast and this is what makes it a popular and timeless choice for the clothing industry.
Final Thoughts
As already established, screen printing is effective, durable, versatile and affordable for creating high-quality printed garments. Its wide acceptance and adoption are not restricted to the fashion sector alone. However, the choice of printing technique depends largely on the nature of the business that requires the printing services as much as its suitability with the other relevant factors. Similarly, the choice of the service provider will significantly determine the quality of the outcome. Reputed providers like Upper can exceed what you expect from screen printing, regardless of the requirements and business objectives.