You’re not alone if you have a sinking sensation that printing personalised t-shirts is a little more difficult than you imagined. Direct to garment printing (DTG) vs. screen printing will compete for your attention in a variety of ways. But which is the best option for you and your bespoke business?
Let’s have a look.
What is screen printing?
Screen printing gets its name from the fact that it transfers ink onto a fabric garment using a mesh screen as a stencil.
How does screen printing work?
Depending on the level of design complexity, this mesh is kept in place by a frame. And it has finer and smaller openings. To apply the screen print to the garment. The ink is poured on top of the frame and pressed through the mesh screen’s holes. When many layers of ink are applied to the fabric. A thicker texture is created that can be felt against the garment’s surface.
Pros and cons of screen printing
Screen printing is one of the most used garment printing methods. And, as a result, it can be a more cost-effective method of printing. As a result, you can be stuck with big minimum order quantities (MOQs). So if you only want to manufacture one or two bespoke t-shirts, this method might not be for you.
Conscientious, eco-friendly businesses are increasingly favored by consumers over rapid fashion brands. Even if you plan to manufacture a batch, keep in mind minimum order quantities (MOQs) and store products that will go to waste.
Furthermore, screen printing frequently employs non-biodegradable plastisol inks. Choosing a more environmentally friendly shirt printing option demonstrates your company’s principles. And your customers may be prepared to pay more for your items, helping you overcome increased production expenses.
Another disadvantage of screen printing is that mesh screens must be custom-made to match the design’s requirements, which can lead to a lengthy setup time and impede your ability to fulfill orders fast. As a result, if your designs are detailed, require small details, or have a lot of colors (screen printing permits up to nine), the time it takes to produce high-quality prints with this printing method may be lengthy.
When it comes to printing variety, though, it’s difficult to argue that screen printing offers a larger range of materials to which it can be applied. Screen printing can be done on a variety of materials, including fabric, metal, plastic, and wood, making it a wonderful option if you’re looking to expand your product range.
Why is screen printing used?
The brilliant colors of screen printing last no matter how many times the garment is cleaned. The process has also been widely utilized because one design can be copied several times. And making it an obvious choice for mass manufacturing, such as for sports teams looking for custom printing for kits and uniforms. As well as for workwear. The cost to the environment and to the bottom line of a small to medium firm is prompting more business owners. They can choose more sustainable alternatives, such as DTG printing.
DTG printed garments account for around 9% of the global printed T-shirt market, with North America leading the way.
By 2021, the North American DTG market is expected to be worth over $2.5 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.5 percent.
The expansion of short-run print on demand is being fueled by mass customization, higher personalization, and environmental benefits.
For print service providers in the garment decoration sector, where there is a large profit margin and high demand, digital printing is a cost-effective option. – DTG Polyprint
