Screen Printing vs Sublimation Printing: Which Method is For Your Brand?
Are you a new business owner and looking to get your custom tshirt printing, but are confused between screen printing and sublimation printing?
Here's the key: choosing the wrong printing method can ruin your garments and damage your brand’s reputation, which is why it is essential to understand the difference and make the right choice for your custom printed apparel.
Screen Printing: Classic Heavy Duty Colors & Timeless Durability
Screen printing, also called silk printing, is a technique utilizing mesh stencils and ink. The stencil is placed over the garment, and then ink is pushed through it onto shirts, hoodies, and garments. In screen printing, if your designs are complex and require many colors, then you also need many stencils, which adds up in total cost.
It is often considered best for smaller designs and large order quantities, as mesh stencils can be used quite a number of times. Furthermore, since screen printed shirts and garments have a layer of ink on the fabric, it creates interesting elevated textures that feel unique.
Sublimation Printing: Fiber-Fused Dyes for Limitless Designs
Sublimation printing is also known as heat transfer printing and dye-sublimation printing. It is quite a different technique from screen printing, as it utilises a heat press roller that converts the inks of the design into gas, which is then absorbed by the fibers of the textile material.
Furthermore. Sublimated shirts with prints are highly detailed and complex. Since the entire process starts from digital designs, you can essentially have any kind of print onto shirts and sportswear apparel.
Looking For a Suitable Sublimation Apparel Manufacturer?
Mesa Sportswear has been one of top choices for brands when it comes to custom hoodies, joggers, tshirts and printing options. With over 3 decades of experience in sportswear and custom printed apparel, we need to understand your headache and are available to provide our sialkot heritage manufacturing service.
Request a Free Quote! →The Comparison: Which One Wins?
Both printing methods are used to print designs on clothes, but they vary in their process. Screen printing uses an ink spread approach, whereas sublimation printing utilizes heat to bond the ink with fabric.
Now, both of these techniques are highly used in sportswear apparel and custom printed streetwear, but other than the printing process, what exactly is the difference between them?
There are many factors that separate screen-printed shirts and sublimated garments, from fabric choice to complexity of designs and price-to-volume factor.
Colors & Details
- Screen printing is often best for simple and bold designs, where colors matter more than details.
- Sublimation printing results in printed designs that are high resolution, detailed, and vibrant.
Print Feel & Textures
- Screen printing works by employing a layer of ink on top of the garment and creates a texture that can be felt by hand.
- Sublimation printing, on the other hand, does not create any texture as it infuses the ink with the fabric, retaining the same finish as the original fabric.
Manufacturer Note:
For high-intensity sports such as soccer or basketball, sublimation printing is always the go-to choice due to its ink-infusing process that ensures fabric remains breathable and airy.
Fabric & Durability
Typical choices of fabric for screen printing are cotton, blends, and dark fabrics, but it can also be used to print bold designs onto white fabric as well. Although screen prints are durable, they are also prone to cracking and peeling.
Sublimation printing, however, can only be used on light colored polyester and poly-blended fabrics meant for sportswear/activewear. Additionally, sublimated prints are long-lasting, won't peel, and never fade even after regular washing.
Cost and Order Quantities
Screen printing is expensive if we are talking about customizing only a few pieces, as the initial setup requires quite a sum of money to start, but if your order is large, then due to screen printing screens being durable for multiple uses, it becomes a lot cheaper.
Meanwhile, sublimation printing is a low-cost printing solution for fewer pieces and print-on-demand apparel, but for large quantities, its cost significantly increases. There are only a handful of custom manufacturers who provide reasonable prices for sublimated goods.
The Final Verdict: How to Choose?
- Choose screen printing if: you are customizing 100+ streetwear pieces with bold designs and logos.
- Choose sublimation printing if: you want customized teamwear jerseys or high-quality athletic wear.
Next Read: Sportswear vs Casual Apparel: Which Printing Method is for you?