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Everyone wants custom apparel. It’s a way to stand out from the crowd and showcase individual personality. At a singular level, that works. However, custom apparel can be used by businesses, organisations, companies, and firms to market themselves. It’s something that everyone wants to get their hands on. Not all custom apparel is created equal, though. The print on custom apparel should be vibrant, long-lasting, complex, and high quality. One way to achieve such prints is by screen printing. Screen printing can be hard to grasp, but it reaps incredible results.

So, what exactly is screen printing? And how can it be used by an organisation, creator, or even an individual to showcase their personalities? This article explores the marvels of custom screen printing and all that it brings to the table.

What is Screen Printing?

Fun fact: screen printing goes by two other names. These are Silk Screening and Serigraphy. As part of this printing process, a mesh screen is used to transfer ink to a fabric or paper surface. To ensure no ink falls outside the desired area, a stencil design is made on the screen beforehand which acts as a barrier keeping the inks in place. This leads to a clean distinction between the printed and non-printed areas. It also makes for vibrant colours and long-lasting prints.

Screen printing is versatile in that it can be used to create custom apparel. These are usually printed on durable fabrics to add a touch of style or personality. Here’s why it makes the most sense to use screen printing for custom apparel rather than another printing process.

Long Lasting Prints

The single most important reason why screen printing is ideal for custom apparel is its longevity. Special screen printing ink is applied in thick layers, making for vibrant and opaque colours that don’t come off the fabric. It can withstand rough usage and many wash cycles without fading or cracking. It’s the ideal pick for apparel that needs to endure harsh conditions regularly.

Cost-Effectiveness

For large orders, screen printing can be more cost-effective than other forms of printing. Considering how screen printing works, it’s pretty fast for individual orders, but works best for bulk orders. A stencil has to be created for each of the colours. Once that’s done, multiple pieces of apparel can be inked quickly, which can produce large inventory in very little time. This makes screen printing an economical choice for businesses, events, and organisations needing custom apparel in large quantities.

Fabric Friendliness

The neat thing about screen printing is that it works well on all fabrics. In fact, on low-quality fabrics, it is even likely that the prints outlive the piece itself. High-quality fabrics are enhanced when printed using serigraphy techniques. Screen printing provides excellent results whether you’re printing on cotton, polyester, or blends. This makes it a popular choice for a variety of apparel items. Businesses can place their branding on different pieces of clothing and other merchandise for enhanced brand recognition.

Versatile Printing

In case you thought silk screening was only effective for simple or basic designs, you’d be wrong. Screen printing is a highly adaptable process. It allows for clean, sharp lines and detailed images. If you’re planning on using designs with fewer colours or simple graphics, it is especially effective. As for more complex designs, they can be broken down into layers. So, it’s a process that works for both a graphic designer wanting to sell streetwear t-shirts with intricate designs or a company placing a slogan and logo on pieces of apparel. As each colour is applied separately, it ensures a precise and professional finish across all apparel. The versatility of screen printing makes it a great fit for individuals as well as organisations.

Overall Consistency

Screen printing is a lot more consistent than digital printing and other alternatives and consistency is key when it comes to developing large custom apparel orders. Once the screens are set up, they can be used to print the same design over and over again with minimal variation. Basically, it ensures that each piece of apparel looks identical to the next. This is particularly important for businesses who are looking to brand themselves and reach their target audience, as well as for events that require consistent branding across all their merchandise. In fact, in a bulk order, a single instance of inconsistency can lead to ruined order inventories.

Customizability

One of the most important advantages of screen printing is that it can be customised to meet various requirements. You can experiment with different colours, designs, and placements to create a truly unique product. From team uniforms to branded merchandise, screen printing allows you to express creativity in many forms while maintaining a high-quality finish. All in all, screen printing is a convenient way to get custom apparel.

Conclusion

The benefits of screen printing are many. What matters is how you use it to further your goals. You can get really creative with the prints and designs you want to create. It’s a growing trend in the apparel industry, and for good reason. So, embrace high-quality custom apparel for your brand today!