In the world of garment customization, there are lots of techniques to choose from. Two of the most popular, however, are sublimation and screen printing. Both options yield visually appealing results and offer numerous other benefits depending on your application. If you are trying to decide between sublimation and screen printing, keep reading to learn more about the processes and the Difference between screen printing and sublimation.
How Does it Work?
Screen printing is one of the most common methods of customizing garments, and it has been around for decades. In this technique, a squeegee is used to force ink through a screen and onto a t-shirt. This can be done by hand or with a screen printing machine. Sublimation prints, on the other hand, are a printing technique in which a design is created using a special printer, and then applied to the garment using a heat press. It is a much newer technique than screen printing, but it has quickly become one of the most popular methods of customizing everything from blank t-shirts to coffee mugs.
Benefits of Screen Printing
The primary benefits of screen printing relate to cost. It is the most cost-effective method of mass-producing shirts, and it is the most affordable method to get started in. Creating an at-home screen printing setup costs just a couple hundred dollars, so it is easy to get started on virtually any budget. Additionally, screen printing works on nearly any type of fabric. While most folks have preferences and opinions on the best shirts for screen printing, the process works on nearly any material.
Wide Range of Screen Printing Inks
You can also choose from a wide range of screen printing inks that allow you to create special effects. Three-dimensional and foil designs can both be screen printed on wholesale t-shirts if you have the right types of ink.
Benefits of Sublimation Printing
Getting started in sublimation printing is pricey due to the special equipment required. But the process can be cost-effective, depending on what type of shirts you are making. If you are doing small runs and frequently changing designs, sublimation may be the most efficient method.
Detailed Multi-Color Designs
Sublimation reigns supreme when it comes to creating detailed multi-color designs, too. With this technology, you can use any color and any number of colors without increasing the time or money needed to create the design. Also, sublimation printing can be used to add photo-realistic images to garments.
Customize Hard Surfaces
Another perk of sublimation is that it can be used to customize hard surfaces that have been treated with polymer. This means you can use the process to decorate coffee mugs, tumblers, signs, and more, as long as you have the right type of heat press.
