Fashion designers know that crafting a line requires many steps and the assurance of a quality product at the end. They need to trust that the fabric printing process will yield their desired high-quality product. Gaining that trust means understanding the fabric printing process and learning to craft the best items.

Knowing the two primary forms of fabric printing is essential to understanding the fabric printing process: traditional screen printing and digital textile printing. These two methods are both helpful in crafting quality fabric designs. But which way is best for your needs? Here’s a guide to both.

Traditional Screen Printing

While there are many forms of traditional printing, the best-known form of fabric printing is screen printing. This printing style appears in everything from custom shirts to drapery found at retailers worldwide. These items are known for a signature look with thick, heavy patterns and bold colors.

Screen printing involves transferring ink or dye onto a substrate using a mesh, apart from any areas blocked out by a stencil. While silk was the original mesh material, polyester is the most popular material today. The mesh can vary in size to alter the look of the finished product.

Screen-printed items are sturdy with bold colors, but they have several limitations. First, the ink and stencils only allow for simple designs. They’re unable to handle details such as photo reproductions. Furthermore, while screen printing is effective for block letters, complex fonts are harder to control using thicker ink. Screen-printed items also face a limited number of colors to use. Finally, the wide designs on traditionally printed items crack with age, leading to a memorable worn look we associate with classic tees.

Digital Printing

Fortunately, there’s a modern option for your printing needs. Digital printing is a great way to craft custom textiles. This encompasses a wide range of printing methods, including reactive, disperse, and dye sublimation printing. These methods vary in use from fabric to fabric, but the benefits are uniform across the materials.

What sets digital printing apart from screen printing? For one, digital printing allows for more complex, detailed images on apparel rather than traditional printing methods' simple patterns and images. With digital printing, the color palette increases from a limited number of colors to a nearly endless selection. The colors are also less likely to warp with age, though they aren’t always as bold. Digital print-to-fabric methods are also much cheaper, with limited print runs possible.

In looking at the two options, screen printing works well for large runs and simple designs, such as for team uniforms and school shirts. But for a distinct, modern look all your own, consider digital fabric printing. This fast, low-cost, high-quality print method should more than meet your textile needs.

If you’re looking for a quality printer, check out Advanced Digital Textiles. We specialize in custom printed fabric by the yard with a wide range of options to create the perfect textile look for your fashion needs. Contact us today to see how we can help you!