What is the difference between thermal transfer and screen printing?
Thermal transfer and printing mesh are two ways of printing T-shirts. The advantages and disadvantages of each are as follows:
1. Advantages of screen printing: The material cost of single-piece printing is low. Generally, the printing cost of a color is only 0.5 yuan. With good ink, no matter any fabric is unrestricted, it does not fade at all.
Disadvantages: need to make film and screen version, one color set (a set of about 100 yuan, 2 colors of 200 yuan, and so on, so even if only one piece of clothing is printed, a set of screen and film), the number When it is small, printing is unrealistic. For photo-like patterns, the sharpness of the screen print is very low and it is impossible to print clear photos. In addition, the screen printing is a color printing once, each time you have to register, otherwise there will be a misalignment. Simple manual machine, simple pattern production, multi-color pattern printing, low efficiency and high scrap rate. And the automatic machine, good equipment, its price should be as high as tens of millions of dollars.
2. Thermal transfer advantages: no need to make film and screen, one can print; once the entire image is completely printed, no need to print separately according to the color. High definition, high definition photo patterns can also be easily printed. Printed multi-color or color photo-like patterns on non-cotton fabrics such as sportswear, the cost is low, one piece is generally within 1 yuan, and does not fade at all.
Disadvantages: Fabrics that are required for fabrics and are not resistant to high temperatures (such as silk, some non-woven fabrics) cannot be printed. For pure cotton fabrics, special transfer papers are required. The price is generally 3 or 4 yuan, and the cost is relatively high. For pure cotton fabrics, the printed position has a hard and hard feel. Of course, it will be much better after washing once. After washing more times, there will be a slight discoloration on the cotton.
Therefore, for T-shirt printing, the appropriate printing method should be selected according to the specific pattern and fabric condition, in order to minimize the cost and obtain the best printing effect.
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