When you’re ordering custom shirts, apparel or other printed products, you have several options for getting your design onto the finished product. Two of the most common are screen printing and digital printing.
So, when it comes to screen printing vs. digital printing, which one is right for your project?
The answer depends on a few factors, including how many items you need, the complexity of your design, how many colors it uses and the type of finished look you’re after. Both printing methods have their strengths, and understanding the difference can help you choose the right option for your project.
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing is a traditional printing method that uses a mesh screen, stencil and ink to transfer a design onto a surface.
For each color in a design, a separate screen is typically prepared. Ink is then pushed through the screen onto the shirt, garment or other printable surface. The ink is cured so it bonds properly with the material.
One of the biggest advantages of screen printing is its ability to produce consistent, durable prints. It’s particularly well suited for designs that use a limited number of colors and for larger orders where the setup cost can be spread across many items.
Screen printing involves a more hands-on setup process than digital printing. However, once that initial setup is complete, screen printers can efficiently produce large quantities of consistent prints.
Screen printing technology also allows printers to use different types of ink depending on the project. Plastisol inks are commonly used for durable, opaque prints, while water based inks can create a softer feel on certain fabrics. Specialty inks can also be used when a project calls for a particular visual or tactile effect.
Screen printing can be used for much more than basic T-shirts, too. Depending on the material and project, it can be used for sweatshirts, bags, posters, promotional items and other products.
What Is Digital Printing?
Digital printing uses digital technology to print an image directly or indirectly onto a product rather than creating a separate screen for each color.
There are several types of digital printing, including direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF). These methods make it possible to reproduce highly detailed artwork, photographs, gradients and designs containing many different colors.
Direct to garment printing, commonly called DTG printing, applies ink directly to the garment using specialized digital printers. DTG prints are particularly useful for detailed artwork, photographs and designs with many colors.
Unlike traditional screen printing, digital printing generally requires little setup. That makes it particularly useful for smaller orders or projects where each item may have a different design.
The digital printing process starts with a digital file, which is prepared and sent to a digital printer. Depending on the equipment and printing method, the machine applies the image directly to the product or transfers it onto the material.
Modern digital printing machines can reproduce intricate designs, tiny dots, gradients and other details that can be more difficult to achieve through traditional screen printing.
Digital printing can also be a good choice when you’re working with artwork that would be difficult or time-consuming to reproduce using individual screens.
Screen Printing vs. Digital Printing: Key Differences
While both methods can produce excellent results, there are some important differences to consider.
| Screen Printing | Digital Printing | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Larger orders | Small orders and individual pieces |
| Designs | Simple to moderately complex | Highly detailed and complex |
| Colors | Excellent for limited-color designs | Excellent for full-color designs |
| Setup | Requires screens and setup | Minimal setup |
| Cost | Often more economical for larger quantities | Often more economical for smaller quantities |
| Durability | Excellent | Good, depending on the printing method |
| Gradients & photos | More challenging | Excellent |
The main difference between screen printing vs digital printing comes down to how the artwork is transferred. Screen printing uses physical screens and ink, while digital printing methods use digital artwork and specialized digital printers.
These aren’t hard rules. The best printing method depends on the specific project, garment, artwork and quantity.
When Should You Choose Screen Printing?
Screen printing is often the better choice when you’re ordering a larger quantity of products with the same design.
For example, screen printing can be a great option for:
- Company uniforms and employee apparel
- School shirts
- Sports teams
- Event T-shirts
- Club and organization apparel
- Promotional shirts
- Large business orders
- Simple logos and graphics
If your business needs 100 shirts with the same logo, for example, screen printing can be an efficient and cost-effective solution.
Screen printing is also a strong choice when durability is important. Quality screen-printed designs can hold up extremely well through repeated washing and regular wear.
Screen printing also offers excellent opacity on dark fabrics, making it a practical choice for designs that need to stand out against black, navy or other darker garments. With the right inks, screen printers can also produce bright neon colors and other eye-catching effects.
When Should You Choose Digital Printing?
Digital printing can be a better fit when you’re working with a smaller order or a particularly detailed design.
Digital printing is often useful for:
- One-off shirts
- Small apparel orders
- Photographic designs
- Artwork with lots of colors
- Detailed illustrations
- Designs with gradients and color transitions
- Personalized garments
- Projects where each item has different artwork
Because digital printing doesn’t require a separate screen for each color, complicated artwork can be reproduced without the same setup requirements associated with screen printing.
Digital printing is especially useful for intricate designs and complex designs that contain numerous colors, subtle shading or fine details. Unlike screen printing, a digital file can contain a large range of colors without requiring a separate physical screen for each one.
For example, if you want a single T-shirt featuring a full-color photograph, digital printing may make more sense than setting up multiple screens to reproduce the image.
Digital printing can also reproduce very bright neon colors and other highly detailed effects, depending on the printer, ink and material being used.
Which Printing Method Is More Durable?
Durability is one of the areas where screen printing has a strong advantage.
Screen-printing ink is applied directly to the garment and properly cured, creating a print that can withstand repeated wear and washing. The quality of the garment, ink and printing process all play a role in how long the finished design lasts.
Digital printing can also produce durable results, but longevity depends on the specific digital printing method, ink and garment.
If you’re ordering apparel that will receive heavy, regular use — such as work shirts, team apparel or uniforms — screen printing is often an excellent choice.
That doesn’t mean digital printing is a poor option. For many smaller or more detailed projects, the flexibility of digital printing can outweigh the differences in durability.
The final print quality of either method depends on more than the printing technology itself. The quality of the artwork, garment, ink and equipment can all affect the finished result.
Which Is More Affordable?
There isn’t a single answer to whether screen printing or digital printing is cheaper.
Screen printing tends to become more cost-effective as your order quantity increases. That’s because the initial setup involved in preparing screens can be spread across a larger number of garments.
Digital printing, on the other hand, typically requires less setup. That can make it a more economical choice when you only need a few items.
The complexity of your design can also affect the cost of screen printing. A design with several colors requires more screens and more setup than a simple one- or two-color logo.
Other factors can affect the final price as well, including the type of garment, print size, number of print locations and total order quantity.
In other words, there isn’t necessarily a single right printing method based on price alone. The most cost effective option depends on the quantity, artwork and type of product you’re ordering.
If you’re unsure which option makes the most sense financially, it’s worth discussing your project with a professional printer rather than choosing based solely on the printing method.
Can You Use Both Printing Methods?
Absolutely.
Screen printing and digital printing aren’t competing options where one is always better than the other. They’re different tools that are suited to different types of projects.
A business might use screen printing for hundreds of employee shirts while using digital printing for a small batch of highly detailed promotional shirts.
A printer may also recommend one method over another based on the printing surface, garment material or artwork. Some projects may even benefit from combining different printing techniques to achieve the desired result.
The right choice comes down to what you’re trying to accomplish.
Screen Printing vs. Digital Printing: Which Is Right for You?
When deciding between screen printing vs. digital printing, start with a few basic questions.
How many items do you need?
Large quantities often favor screen printing, while smaller orders can make digital printing more practical.
How complicated is your design?
Simple logos and limited-color graphics are excellent candidates for screen printing. Photographs, gradients and highly detailed artwork may be better suited to digital printing.
How important is durability?
For apparel that will receive heavy use and frequent washing, screen printing is often a great choice.
Does every item have the same design?
If you need individualized designs or personalized apparel, digital printing can provide more flexibility.
What type of material are you printing on?
The material and printing surface can influence which process produces the best result. Your printer can help determine whether screen printing or a digital method is appropriate for the specific product.
Ultimately, there isn’t one printing method that’s best for every project. The right choice depends on your artwork, quantity, budget, garment and intended use.
At Screen Graphics, we can help you determine which printing method makes the most sense for your needs. Whether you’re ordering custom apparel for your business, organization, event or team, we’ll help you find an approach that produces the look and quality you’re after.
