Many people use screen printing services because they're fairly cost-effective. However, not all projects are perfect for this process. To minimize your costs, you need to think about how your project and the screen printing process will work together. Examine your project for these four factors to make a better-informed decision about the potential costs.
Number of Colors
While screen printing is an excellent choice for jobs that use more colors, the cost savings go down as you make more. If you need to use four colors to create a relatively photographic image, that's entirely possible.
However, the simplest and most cost-effective approach is to use a single solid color to produce an image. One of the reasons many brands use single-color logos is to minimize their costs when they do screen printing projects. Virtually every upstart brand in the world starts out with merch that uses a single color on contrasting solid material because it saves money.
Expected Production Runs
The savings you'll get from screen printing tend to accrue from multiple production runs. Suppose you need a four-color poster. If you're going to keep making the same or similar posters for many production runs, you'll likely save money with screen printing. Conversely, it could be less cost-effective if you're looking at a single run with fewer posters.
Bear in mind, screen printing doesn't lock you into producing a single item. Youth sports teams, for example, often utilize a base screen for their logos, sponsors, and other visual elements that are in constant use. They'll then add small customizations like the players' names. This gives them the best of both worlds by saving costs on the repetitive elements and still customizing the final product.
Materials
When using screen printing services, you need to have materials that can flatten out completely. Some fabrics won't perform well when flattened, for example. Similarly, some papers may soak in too much ink. Materials may be too thick or thin for the process, too. It's a good idea to test your preferred materials before committing to them.
A printing company can often treat materials to reduce issues. This will, however, usually add some expenses.
Adjustability
With the above factors in mind, you can consider some adjustments to a project. You might, for example, opt for a spot color process over four colors to bring costs in line. Using a heavier material to avoid the need for treatment may save costs, too. Plan ahead so you can be confident of your project's success.
For more information, contact a screen printing service near you.
Share