Printing reproducing text or images of anything on different materials, such as paper, clothes, utensils, etc. This process is not new and has been practiced for many years.
But there are some technical and innovative developments in the process to make it more easy and versatile. The two important methods of printing include screen printing and digital printing.
Both of these methods are most used and preferred due to their advantages. To choose between these methods, it is important to understand their pros and cons and differences too.
Key Takeaways
- Screen Printing involves transferring ink onto a substrate through a mesh screen, while Digital Printing involves printing an image directly onto a substrate using a digital printer.
- Screen Printing is ideal for printing on various substrates, including textiles and paper, while Digital Printing is best suited for printing on paper and other flat surfaces.
- Screen Printing is a cost-effective option for high-volume printing, while Digital Printing is better for low-volume printing and producing highly detailed images.
Screen Printing vs Digital Printing
The difference between screen printing and digital printing is in the techniques that are used for the process. In screen printing, manpower, along with stencils and inks, are used for printing on different materials includes, including textiles, papers, clothes, vases, etc., whereas in digital printing, stencils are not required, picture from the computer is directly printed on different materials, including clothes and papers mostly. They are used for different clothes and have different suitability. They also differ in terms of labor. For large printing, only screen printing is the best option; otherwise, expenses on labor and other things exceed.
Screen printing is an old method of printing in which printing is done manually with the help of ink and stencils. It is best for dark-colored clothes as it makes the printing color shines brighter.
Different stencils or screens in required for each pattern and color. It is used mostly for balloons, clothes, wallpapers, etc. The prints and colors cannot be customized as per need.
When printing is done with computers and technology, it is called digital printing. In this printing, manual work is less and technical work with technologies is high.
This is best suited for light clothes where the color looks shiner. It can easily be customized. It is done at a faster speed.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Screen Printing ย | Digital Printing |
|---|---|---|
| Involves | Creating stencils | Artwork by computers. |
| Suitable for | Dark-colored clothes | Light-colored clothes |
| For materials | It is best for other materials than clothes too. | Best for clothes or papers. |
| Used for | Textiles, plastics, and latex | Printing of coupons and direct mail. |
| Labour ย | More labor | Lessor no labor |
What is Screen Printing?
Screen printing is used for printing on different materials by using ink and stencils. It is a versatile method of printing. During the 1880s screen printing took off as a commercial process for the first time. And after that, it is used worldwide.
Screen printing is preferred due to its benefits, as it is cost-effective, especially when the printing is done on a dark background object and in a large quantity.
As done on a large production, the cost of materials required for the process is not expensive. It is a very versatile method, as prints, angles, and anything can be changed at any time as per the preferences, etc.
In screen printing, clothe or material input under the stencils of the design you want to print, and then the ink is applied to it. The time is given to dry the ink. It is less expensive if you are getting printing something in bulk.
Along with all the advantages and benefits, it also comes with some drawbacks, such as when you want to print the materials in different colors and designs, it is not a very cost-effective method, as this is suitable for bulk printing.
Therefore, a large investment is required for this process, etc.
Otherwise, also with all the latest trends and designs, it is proven to be not the best choice for printing. But last, it depends on the needs and preferences of the customer.
What is Digital Printing?
Digital printing is a method of printing where the main work is done by using a computer. It is best suited for less quantity as it costs less even if the material printing is not large in quantity.
It is said to be the best option for printing nowadays, as it does not cost much, and not many people want to print in large quantities. Most of them only required printing on a small scale, under this, prints and color can be customized, this is an option that is not available under screen printing, and that is why digital printing is emerging as a better option.
Other than these, it is a flexible method, and the process of printing is faster, therefore best if the material is required urgently.
Like others, it also has some drawbacks, such as if quantity is higher, it may not be very much cost-effective, therefore only suitable for less quantity, the ink under this method is not absorbed fully and can break anytime, and last but not least the color may differ in the computer than in reality.
Main Differences Between Screen Printing and Digital Printing
- Both of them are different methods of printing and therefore involve different equipment and techniques. For screen printing, stencils and inks are required, while for digital printing, the main artwork is not performed by stencils but by computers.
- When it comes to clothing printing, both of them are suitable for different colors of clothing. For dark color, screen printing is an ideal option as it makes the ink look brighter even on a dark background, whereas for light-colored clothing, digital painting is best suitable.
- Screen printing can be done on most things, from bottles, plastics, tiles, etc., whereas digital paintings are not best for all materials. It comes best on hard and crisp materials that include clothes, paper, etc.
- The involvement of labor also differs in both types of paintings. For screen paintings, everything is done manually, and therefore more labor force is required for the process, whereas most of the work is not with the computer, only in the case of digital printing. Therefore, less manpower or labor is required.
- Screen printing is mostly used for the printing of textiles, plastics, latex, etc., whereas digital printing is preferred for printing coupons or direct mail (in general on papers and clothes), etc., digital printing is used mostly for making the print more detailed.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X15003052
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038092X20301018
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7027841/
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
