The main differences between screen printing and inkjet printing lie in the printing method, principle, scope of application and cost. Screen printing is a contact printing method that uses a screen to press the ink onto the substrate. It is suitable for large-scale printing, brightly colored single-color or multi-color patterns, and has a low cost. Inkjet printing is a non-contact printing method that sprays ink directly onto the substrate without the need for plate making. It is suitable for complex patterns, personalized customization and small-scale printing, but the cost is higher.
| Features | Silk screen printing | Inkjet printing |
| Printing principles | Contact type: The ink is pressed onto the substrate through the screen by a squeegee. | Non-contact: ink is sprayed directly onto the substrate through the nozzle, without the need for plate making. |
| cost | Low, especially suitable for mass production | Higher, especially for complex patterns and personalized needs. |
| Scope of application | Suitable for various materials such as clothing, textiles, glass, metal, plastic, etc. Suitable for printing large areas of color, logos or simple patterns. | Applicable to various materials, including various substrates such as cloth, canvas, advertising signs, glass, acrylic, etc. Suitable for printing complex and colorful pictures. |
| Effects and features | The colors are bright, the ink layer is thick, and the durability is good. The edges of the pattern may not be smooth enough, and it is not suitable for printing gradients or high-precision complex images. | Rich colors and high precision, gradient and relief effects can be achieved. |
| plate making | It is necessary to make a screen printing plate, which requires certain preliminary preparations. | No need to make plates, you can directly output from electronic files and print instantly. |