Often, people talk about digital printing techniques, from digital offset printing to HP Indigo technology, which combines the typical advantages of digital printing with excellent print quality to digital finishes. In all these cases, digital printing has an enormous advantage; it makes it possible to print a minimal number of copies, even a single unit while maintaining low prices.
Here, we will continue the journey to discover more about digital printing. We will talk about digital screen printing on fabric.
To print on fabrics, there are several methods. The most classic and ancient way is traditional screen printing.
Traditional Screen Printing
This is the most classic and ancient way. This method guarantees a swift execution and excellent quality, but for the preparation of the frame, manual work is necessary, in addition to an initial expense that is not amortized until large runs are printed with the same design. The digital silkscreen resolves these weaknesses of traditional print, allows small print runs, even a single unit while keeping affordable prices.
How Digital Screen Printing Works
To print digitally in a printing factory (โรงพิมพ์, which is the term in Thai), the machine first applies a solution to the fabric that allows the ink to remain printed on this particular surface. In technical jargon, this solution is called “primer” and is composed solely of acetic acid. Thus, the fabric surface is prepared to receive and retain a special type of ink in four colors suitable for textile printing. The material is then dried with hot air.
The design or graphic element that the computer will print goes directly to the printout. In doing so, this technology has the advantage of avoiding the manual preparation of the frame and, therefore, allowing the customer to practically change the design printed on the fabric on each garment that passes through the machinery.
Thanks to this system, you can print the design and image you want on garments of different types: classic t-shirts, caps, flags, or cloth covers for clothes.