Screen printing on clothing is still the dominant method of creating prints. Its main advantages are speed of production, repeatability and excellent coverage. But is screen printing durable? In this article we will describe the main advantages of screen printing, as well as its disadvantages and mistakes that a good printer should beware of.
Durability of screen printing
Nowadays, it is safe to say that a well-made screen print should be as durable as the T-shirt itself. Screen printing as a garment marking technique has grown tremendously. Decades of experience and practical applications have developed customized paints and materials. It is the selection of materials of the right quality and matched to the fabric we will be printing on that guarantees the high durability of screen printing.
Tip:
Low budget screen printing can lead to the omission of some critical production steps and reflect negatively on quality.
Why does screen printing crack?
If you have previously owned a T-shirt marked with this method and are not satisfied with its durability, you are probably thinking about choosing a different printing technique. Before making a decision, let’s analyze the problem:
Low quality paint
Often, when price is the only selection criterion, printers choose to cut costs. This may reflect negatively on the quality of the product if the paints used are not good enough.
Print layer too thin
As in the previous example, cost containment can lead to skipping some critical production steps. A well-executed screen print should consist of an undercoat, which provides adequate coverage and color clarity but also adds strength to the print.
Washing at high temperature
For most printing techniques, it is recommended that a washing temperature of no more than 40 degrees Celsius be used. Tumble drying and ironing over the print should also be avoided. The material should be turned inside-out for ironing and drying. Also, do not expose the shirt to the sun to dry.
Improper selection of paint for the material
Some materials such as polyester or lycra require specially selected inks and powders. Sometimes paint additives are also used, the lack of which can cause the print to crack or peel off. When printing on a material that has not been tested before, it is a good idea to do a test print first.
How to fix a cracked print
If your print has cracked and is starting to slightly separate from the fabric, you can try reheating it with an iron.
- Cover the print with baking paper or cloth, put an iron set to 180 degrees on it and press down firmly.
- Press down on the iron for about 15 seconds.
- Slowly pick up the applied paper or material only after it has cooled enough to be touched.
good screen printing
In conclusion, when looking for a good screen printing company, pay attention to the company that will fulfill your order. Check customer reviews and ask for details of the production process.
Screen printing – screen printing company – Ambigram
Of course, we as a printing company take care of the high quality and durability of the prints. See for yourself by checking out our customer reviews and our realizations. A special test of our prints are sports shirts for handball clubs, a very contact sport, where the shirts, along with the print, have to endure a lot indeed.
Screen printing – price
Send us your logo or imprint design for a quick quote. You will learn the price of screen printing based on the number of colors and the number of prints you want. Click the button below:
See also our price list for screen printing on clothing.
