What's the Difference Between Screen Printing and Heat Transfer?

Are you new to the process of printing? Are all the options a little too confusing?

Well here is a helping hand so you can understand just two of the forms of printing – Screen Printing and Heat Transfer. It would be unfair to say that one is better than the other as both of these ways have their advantages. The decision is yours but the question remains:-

 

What’s the Difference Between Screen Printing and Heat Transfer?

 

Screen Printing

Screen printing, as the names suggests, is a technique used to create images by using a mesh stencil or stencils, depending on how many colours your logo requires, and it is used to transfer ink onto your choice of product. Due to the colours being perfectly lined up, the machine is limited to how many screens it can hold. An average machine can hold up to 6 screens and therefore you can potentially have 6 colours printed, if you desire.

Facts:

  •  It can be time consuming – this is because separate screens are needed for each colour.
  •  It can be economical when used for bulk orders.
  •  This way of printing is seen to be a cost-effective and an efficient process.
  •  It is high quality and durable – ensuring your logo/design will last.
  •  It produces vibrant colours – printing this way makes colours stand out.

 

Heat Transfer

Heat transfer is a process of transferring a design/artwork to a substrate (any surface to which ink will adhere) by using heat. The image/design is printed onto paper first and then is transferred to the desired product. This way of printing requires a unique printer along with high-quality paper and a heating press for the design to be set. Unlike screen printing this way of printing doesn’t have a limited number of colours therefore you can choose as many as you require for your design.

Facts:

  • The dark colours fade – heat transfer is not able to maintain dark colours as it is prone to fading.
  • It does not maintain bright colours – bright colours can fade with this way of printing.
  • It’s  convenient for small orders – the heat transfer process is easy to transfer onto design/images.
  • It’s not long lasting – as the colours are printed on paper first.
  • The durability of the design can be compromised.

 

Overview

So, if you have a small order that may requires a complex artwork or design, for example you are having some promotional t-shirts printed for a sporting event, then heat transfer may be the right choice for you. But if you are thinking of a larger order and needs the print to be durable, for example you are sending out promotional pens to potential customers so they will never forget who you are, screen printing it is.