Digital Printing vs. Screen Printing
Over the past 20 years the world has experienced a huge increase in technology. Things that used to be impossible are now hardly given consideration as we go about our everyday lives. The printing industry is no exception. As technology has increased, printing companies have strayed from the usual silk screen (or analog) method, and transitioned into an era that is predominantly centered around digital equipment. This migration from one method to the other begs the question, "What are the differences between digital printing and screen printing?".
For the individuals who are unfamiliar with the printing industry. Digital printing uses 4 color processing (Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, Black) to take an art file and reproduce it by sending it directly to the press. Screen-printing on the other hand, uses silk screens to take a design and reproduce it layer by layer by printing 1 color at a time. So the question remains, "Which method makes more sense, and why?".
In a nutshell, when compared side-by-side each method has it's advantages as well as disadvantages. It is hard to definitively say which is the better printing system, because it all hinges on the nature of the job itself. One thing is certain, that is... as of now both methods are heavily used, and neither method is going anywhere for a long time to come.
Digital
Features:
1. Uses 4 color processing to create design (CMYK)
o Cyan
o Magenta
o Yellow
o Black
2. Does not require screens or plates
3. Maximum print size 120" x ∞
Advantages:
1. Prints all colors in a single pass
2. Perfect registration between colors
3. No traps or bleeds, uses butt registration
4. Capable of reproducing any graphic
5. Less pre-press preparation
Why Choose Digital?
1. Lower cost in low to medium quantity runs
2. Shorter lead times due to decrease in setup. File goes from the computer to the press, no plates.
3. Process printing quality is superior to that of any analog printing system (screen-printing). DPI (dots per square inch) is higher, making resolution better.
Analog
Features:
1. Colors are laid down individually in layers to construct a finished product
2. Uses a separate silk screen for each color printed
3. Maximum print size 32" x 45"
Advantages:
1. Capable of matching any color because ink is custom mixed for each job.
2. Inks have a higher opacity than digital
3. Lower cost for inks
4. Capable of printing reverse colors very well.
Why choose Screen-Printing?
1. Lower cost for high volume jobs
2. Lays down thick, rich colors on reverse backgrounds.
