Is Screen Printing Better Than Heat Press?

Among the many options in creating your custom shirt projects, screen printing and heat press methods are always the top choices. But when it comes to output design quality, we always have this question in mind of which method is better, or which creates better custom shirts – the one made with the screen printing machine or the one made with t-shirt heat press? Being in the custom shirt printing business and running a screen printing press, the two techniques are very familiar to me since these are the usual printing methods that I and the clients prefer.

Is screen printing better than heat press? The screen printing method is better than the heat press in terms of being cost effective for large scale orders, design size limitations, and design quality. Screen printing method creates more vibrant and more durable designs while retaining a soft-feel final output.

Does it mean that I have to go screen printing all the way and abandon my heat press printer in creating custom shirt projects? Well, it still depends because each of the two techniques has its edge over the other. Each custom shirt printing technique has its own advantage and disadvantage when we talk about its efficiency in creating small and large orders, the designs it can accommodate, the size limitations, and of course the output quality. Let’s take a more detailed look of screen printing and heat press methods’ pros and cons.

Screen Printing Technique

Image by squeegee_and_ink

Despite being one of the earliest custom printing techniques, the screen printing process has not changed a lot. This printing technique has survived and remained as one of the preferred custom print choices because of its versatility and simplicity.

But what is screen printing anyway? Of course, you probably already know something about its processes and the materials usually involved, but for the benefit of some who are still exploring, let’s take a look into the process for familiarity.

Screen printing primarily involves a stencil, a mesh, inks, and the squeegee to create a custom design. Prints are achieved by putting your design’s stencil on a fine mesh. The squeegee will be used to press the ink through the patterned mesh onto the substrate.

Here’s a short list of materials that are primarily involved in screen printing process:

Ink-blocking stencil
Nylon mesh or screen
Fabric ink
Squeegee
Screen printing machine
The substrate, which in this case is the shirt

Looks very simple, right? The concept is actually very simple. But we have to take note that one application only accommodates one color, and one color requires its own mesh. Thus, a design with many colors requires multiple nylon meshes and multiple color applications.

Even though the screen printing technique dates back centuries ago and the process seemed to be intact until now, the tools and equipment involved have been advancing. The screen printing method is a combination of an old process and new technology.

Back then, screens are made with silk thus the term silk screen is coined. But now, we have meshes made of fine nylons. As for the squeegees, it now comes in all sorts of rubbers and has the ability to press inks from basic table clamps to large multiple station automatic machines.

Understanding the Screen Printing Process

Are you familiar with the start to finish process of screen printing technique? It is essential to know the screen printing process for us to make a better comparison of its pros and cons with heat press printing.

Well, it all starts with providing the design and the necessary information needed for the screen printing press to issue a price estimate. Once everything is agreed, and down-payment is made, then the artwork will be finalized and approved by the client.

Once the design is approved, it will be prepared and be converted into an ink-blocking stencil using equipment called CTS or computer to screen which prints the stencil into the mesh.

It also undergoes exposure to ultraviolet light and washing to come up with the final screen stencil.

Take note that this process is repeated for each color of the approved design. The final stenciled screens are then dried up in preparation of the actual screen printing process.

The dried up screens will be loaded onto the screen press along with the inks and squeegees according to which color will be printed first. Colors will be aligned and then the job is ready for print.

The operator will put the blank shirts onto the platens that rotate around the screen press machine, going around having all colors printed. After the printing process, the shirt will be removed from the platens and will be heat cured for the print to dry up.

After the curing and folding, all shirts are good to go! And that’s how the whole process of screen printing goes.

Screen Printing Pros

The edge of the screen printing technique over all other custom printing technique is the speed of printing and the volume it can accommodate.
Generally cheaper in bigger quantities because each unit printed shares from the cost of materials and preparation in a relatively same sharing in printing a few units only.
No a great design size limitation and may accommodate larger design sizes
Creates vibrant colors and more durable designs
Compatible for cotton and poly-cotton materials

Screen Printing Cons

It is not ideal for printing a single order or small batches only since the set-up cost will be very expensive.
Screen printing cannot print photographic designs and complex, multi-colored artworks
Designs created with many colors will also need multiple screens to make because one screen can only accommodate one color.
A possible delay in producing shirts with complicated designs
It is actually time-consuming to set-up and for aftercare

Heat Printing Technique

Custom shirt printing is continuously evolving and one of the most convenient techniques nowadays is the heat printing technique or more known as heat transfer printing. It is basically a printing process that applies heat into the transfer materials onto the substrate.

Sounds too easy right? Well, this technique is indeed easy to complete and is even compatible with multiple substrates such as garments, fabrics, and ceramics. Making custom prints on several materials is cost effective as well.

Aside from the three major components of the heat transfer printing which are time, temperature, and pressure, there are a few tools and accessories involved in the process and these are the following:

Heat press printer
Pigment inks
Heat press machine
Transfer papers
Teflon sheet
Thermal tape
Heat resistant gloves
The substrate, which in this case is the shirt

Just to load up some additional knowledge about your background in heat press printing technique, it involves a pressure of 40 to 80 psi and 400 degrees Fahrenheit to successfully and efficiently transfer a design printed in a transfer paper onto the substrate.

Understanding the Heat Printing Process

Even though the heat printing process is pretty basic, let us take a look into the flow of things from preparation to the final output. With this knowledge, we will be able to compare the two techniques and see which of the two is more efficient and convenient to use.

Of course, everything starts with an approved design. Finalize the submitted design and printing details with the client so as not to make or avoid any errors. Make use of the graphic design software to create, edit or finalize the artwork.

Once the design is final, have it printed onto a special heat transfer paper or also known as sublimation paper using the appropriate printer with pigment ink. These types of inks turn into a gaseous state and transfer onto the garment.

Once the design has been printed, cut it out manually or with the aid of vinyl cutter for a more accurate finish.

Prepare the heat press machine by warming it up. Separate the heat platen from the heat pad while warming the machine up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Adjust the pressure to medium to high for most fabrics, reminder that the thicker the fabric gets, the lesser pressure it requires.

Set the time or duration of the heat press. It is necessary to know that different heat transfers require different heating time. Dye sublimation requires 25 to 30 seconds, while digital appliqué requires 20 to 30 seconds, and lastly, vinyl transfer requires 45 to 60 seconds.

Once the time, pressure and temperature are already set, put in the shirt into the heat pad and place the cutout designs according to the target placement within the pressing area. Use a Teflon sheet on top of the substrate and the transfer paper.

Hold everything into place and press it with heat by pulling the handle of clamp or the heat platen. Press it according to the time required and then open the clamp afterward.

Immediately remove the film while the transfer material is still hot. The design is now printed onto the substrate and is ready for dispatch.

Heat Printing Pros

Heat printing can produce photographic designs and complex artworks
Allows a variety of colors and printing placements
It can accommodate single orders or small batches of projects

Heat Printing Cons

Not ideal for large quantities and big projects because it will be time-consuming and will not be cost effective
Transferred designs are stiff making the fabric stiff as well
The printed designs have the tendency to fade after several washes
Transferred designs are best on lighter toned garments

Which Method Is Better?

So, which method do you think is better? Are you rooting for the speed, volume, and quality advantage of screen printing technique? Or are you rooting for the low order requirement and photographic printing capability of heat printing technique?

Screen printing and heat printing methods both have their advantages and disadvantages. It will always depend on the project requirement, design, placement, and budget. Both methods are good when carried out efficiently and properly.

You can even have both printing method in your custom printing shop, but if you are going to choose one and considers having the business for a long time, screen printing might be best for you.