Despite the emergence of new and exciting printing technologies, screen printing remains a staple to this day. With a rich history spanning over a thousand years and multiple continents, it’s come a long way since its distant origins, but why has it maintained such a high level of popularity?
From its versatility to the classic aesthetic effect it facilitates, these are a few important reasons why screen printing is here to stay.
Highly versatile
One of the main reasons why screen printing is still so popular is due to how versatile the technology is. You can effectively use it to print on any porous material, so long as the surface has enough texture for the dye to grab ahold of.
Of course, fabrics tend to be the best medium, and certain fabrics will hold the ink better than others. If you’re considering screen printing on a bulk order of clothing, it’s worth taking a look at some blank garments from Screen Textiles, so that you can be sure you’ll get the best result possible.
Affordable
Another benefit to screen printing is how affordable it can be. With medium to long runs in particular, once you’ve got the screen designs sorted out and your inks prepared, the per-unit cost can be exceptionally low.
Those initial set-up costs do mean that it’s rarely a cost-effective option for smaller orders, where something like digital printing might be more effective. If you’re unsure where your order size fits into that general picture, ask the printing service you’re looking at about which option they’d recommend.
Durable
When done properly, screen printing results in a highly durable design. Due to the fact that it’s pressed all the way through the fabric, it tends to have a strong purchase on the material. Of course, the design will eventually fade as a result of washing and general wear, but it should remain sharp and prominent for a decent amount of time. If you’re looking for a printing technology that lasts in relatively tough conditions, screen printing is likely the option you should be looking at.
Classic aesthetic
Screen printing hasn’t just remained so popular due to its practical benefits – it also has a strong aesthetic appeal. While there are multiple different effects that you can achieve using this kind of technology, it’s quite easy to get a look that’s reminiscent of other cultural contexts, creating a kind of nostalgic effect that a lot of people appreciate.
Screen printing isn’t limited to these classic design styles, however, and you can definitely achieve a range of wonderful modern effects. It’s important to consult with a graphic designer who has experience with screen printing, so that they can create a design that works without any technological limitations.
Screen printing remains an effective and aesthetically unique printing solution to this day. By sticking to the fundamentals that the technology was initially developed upon, screen printing services are still able to provide a class service that results in durable, aesthetically unique designs that are perfect in a variety of different contexts.
