Screen printing is one of the most effective ways for reproducing a design on a piece of garment. While several companies offer the facility of screen printing online, the process is simple enough to be completed by individuals on their own. However, people opting for the latter alternative need to first gain complete information about setting up the screen printing equipment and the other important aspects of the process. Even the people opting for the former option may need to get a few things clarified to set the right expectations and get the desired results. The most common questions that people ask before placing an order to print t-shirts online are given below along with their answers.

What are the different screen printing techniques and which of them is the best?

Screen printing is mainly carried out in three ways, namely rotary printing, stenciling, and digital hybrid techniques. Each of these techniques offers its own advantages and disadvantages and, which technique may be the best depends on a wide range of factors, including the complexity of the design, the fabric type, the expected quality and, so on.  In general, the digital hybrid technique is considered to offer the best results as it supports various data options and offers endless customization possibilities.

What makes screen printing the most efficient option as compared to other methods of printing?

Screen printing is one of the fastest ways of reproducing a design on a target surface. Once the screen has been made, it can be used to produce numerous prints within a minimal time. Some screen printing machines are so fast that they are capable of printing more than 4500 t-shirts per hour. Hence, this method of printing is the best choice for customers looking to get a large number of t-shirts printed within a very short period.

What are the printing options available to customers opting for this technique?

Screen printing offers the flexibility of creating a wide variety of textures and effects using different types of printing inks. The technique is equally suitable for printing over a large area or a small portion of the target surface. This opens up a greater number of customization possibilities especially for clients seeking diversity in their bulk orders.

How long does a screen print design last on a t-shirt or other fabrics?

The durability of the design depends on a variety of factors such as the quality of ink used, the fabric of the t-shirt, the implementation of proper curing methods, and so on. In general, a design printed on cotton, woolen, silk fabrics using high-quality inks can outlast the fabric itself. On the other hand, designs printed on nylon and other man-made fabrics tend to fade away within a short time.  

Which fabrics are the best choice for screen printing?

When it comes to screen printing, fabrics made from natural fibers are the best choice. These fabrics tend to have a higher liquid-absorbing capacity which ensures that the inks used for printing the design get better absorbed resulting in bright and clear designs that last longer. Man-made fibers, such as nylon and polyester, tend to be less permeable and hence are not much suitable for t-shirt printing using this method due to their low absorption capacity. 

What is the meaning and significance of CMYK in screen printing?

The process of screen printing is carried out by adding the colors one at a time to the garment. This requires the breaking down of the design to be re-created into multiple-layers and the process is called the “four-color process” as the design is separated into four colors (CMYK). This enables the screen printers to simulate several different designs using only 4 screens, making this method of printing less time-consuming, cost-effective, and easily set up.

What are some common types of inks used for screen printing?

The choice of inks used for screen printing vary according to the quality of the design to be reproduced, the base color of the target surface, and desired look and feel of the end product. The most common types of ink used by screen printing professionals include plastisol ink, water-based ink, high-density ink, PVC and phthalate-free inks, and nylobond ink. Among these, the plastisol and water-based inks are way more popular than other types of inks as they tend to offer better results and create truly impressive designs.