A Brief Look at Screen Printing and Thermal Transfer

• Posted by gaobao Gary December 20, 2021 - Filed in Other - #heat transfer printing machines  - 1,009 views

   

    When you decide how to print images on clothing or textiles, you need technology and a machine that is efficient, economical, and can meet the finish standards that customers expect. Screen printing machines and heat transfer printing machines are two popular and commonly used machines, but to choose the most suitable machine, it is important to have a thorough understanding of both.

    For decades, screen printing has been the preferred method of making printed garments, but it can also be effectively used on wood, paper, glass, and ceramics. In the printing process, a template is formed on the fine mesh screen, and the ink is applied to the substrate by pushing the substrate to form an image imprint underneath. Different colors require different screens, and these colors will gradually merge until the final design is created. The final product is dried using special equipment to cure the ink and ensure a smooth, non-fading finish. Compared with thermal transfer, screen printing has the following advantages:

  1) Economy: If you plan to print more than 100 garments, screen printing is more cost-effective. In fact, it is one of the most economical printing solutions available, so if curbing manufacturing costs is the top priority for improving profitability, screen printing is a viable option.

  2) The color is novel: the color printed using silkscreen technology is very bright, especially if the clothing or accessories are designed for outdoor use, or the substrate is dark. The color also exhibits excellent durability and hardly fades over time.

  3) More texture: Silk-screen printed clothing is light in texture and soft to the touch, while thermal transfer may have a plastic feel, which may be objectionable to some consumers.

  4) Mixed-effects: through screen printing, other effects, such as glitter or powder puff ink, can be added to the printed matter to obtain a more eye-catching appearance.

  Naturally, thermal transfer printing also has its own advantages: thermal transfer printing is ideal for small batches because the process has less labor and relatively fast completion, so it is more cost-effective. For very small print volumes, including customized garments that may only need to be printed once according to customer preferences, a thermal transfer is the most effective and economical choice.

    It is usually easier to print images on objects with abnormal shapes (such as bags) using thermal transfer technology. If printing may be inconvenient, special trays can be used to locate and fix the objects. Printing these items using screen printing methods is logically challenging.

    No matter what you choose, understanding your target audience, understanding your market and customer needs, and understanding which printing technology is the most efficient and cost-effective is the key to improving your business's profitability.

    Wenling Gaobao Industrial Co., Ltd. produces heat transfer foil, heat transfer machine manufacturer and other products. Welcome to consult!