Screen printing and DTF printing have their ups and downs; in digital screen printing both sides are taken into consideration. Bridging the gap between the two by combining the durability of screen printing with the attention to detail that DTF printing provides.
This allows for a production method that delivers on:
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large orders without skipping on speed
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Long lasting prints without missing detail
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Multiple colors on single prints
What Is Digital Squeegee Printing?
Digital squeegee printing is a hybrid of screen printing and DTF printing, combining the two into one workflow.
The process works by...
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Screen printing a base layer typically with white ink
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Then using the digital squeegee to place the CMYK ink to imprint the colored ink onto the design
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Finishing with curing and drying
The combination allows digital screen printing to accomplish what both methods cannot on their own. Which solves any issues that may arise from using one method over the other such as costly production for large orders, not enough detail in the artwork, or inconsistent printing across apparel.
It opens the door for printing:
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Colorful graphics
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Detailed and durable apparel prints
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Complex artwork with more variety and depth to print
|
Category |
Screen Printing |
DTF |
Digital Squeegee |
|
Large Orders |
Great |
Good |
Great |
|
Fine Detail |
Good |
Great |
Great |
|
Print Durability |
Great |
Good |
Great |
|
Specialty Ink |
Great |
Good |
Great |
|
Small Orders |
Good |
Great |
Good |
|
Vibrant Color |
Great |
Good |
Great |
|
Production Scalability |
Great |
Good |
Great |
Comparing Screen Printing, DTF, and Digital Squeegee Printing
Digital squeegee performs at its highest when artwork is complex, but the production volume is still high.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is a popular option for large scale production it specializes in:
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Bulk apparel orders
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Simple single colored graphics
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Long-lasting graphic
DTF Printing
DTF printing is a popular option for quick custom jobs it specializes in:
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Small apparel orders
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Complex graphics
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Quick set-up
Digital Squeegee Printing
Digital Squeegee takes the top categories in both and sets itself apart from them by specializing in:
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Large production runs
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Highly detailed artwork
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Durability and design
How Century Graphics & Sign Handles Digital Squeegee Printing
Here at Century Graphics & Sign we are equipped to deliver no matter what the size of the order; we have it covered we do this by our:
Equipment
Without the proper equipment large orders would become an extremely labor intensive, lengthy process. Century Graphics & Sign avoids any workflow issues by:
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Multiple high-capacity machines designed for both screen printers and digital squeegee printers
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Color calibration systems used to ensure repeatable results
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Digital squeegee technology integrated into high-volume production lined for consistency
Production Team
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Experienced staff trained in both traditional screen printing and digital squeegee printing
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Quality control staff ensure prints are quality
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Ability to scale production for quicker turnaround for large order
Best Uses for Digital Squeegee Printing
Digital squeegee printing is an extremely viable option for:
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Event apparel, due to its high-volume nature and complex art style
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Team apparel, due to its durable designs even after multiple wash
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Company uniforms, cost-effective while maintaining visual impact
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Promotional apparel, vibrant inks make designs pop grabbing consumer attention
Key Takeaways
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Digital squeegee printing is the best of both worlds
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It gives a vibrant, detailed graphic without sacrificing its durability
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Remains uniform for hundreds of prints
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Can be scaled to fulfill high-volume orders
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Can handle complex artwork with ease
Need Custom Apparel for Your Team, Company, Event or School?
Century Graphics & Sign provides quick, high quality, and dependable digital squeegee printing for bulk orders.
Contact our team today to request a quote and get started on your next apparel project.