Screen Printing Vs Embroidery for Home Business
Apparel customization has never been an easy thing for everyone. Most of the time, when you need a custom printed shirt, pencil, or mug, you need to explore the online markets or visit the printing specialists.
There are seemingly endless graphic options that you can find in the market these days. Technology has come in to make people happier because it offers quality results within a short time.
The graphics or printing personnel sometimes gets stranded when choosing between screen printing and embroidery. These options don’t apply to things like mugs and pencils, but the cloth items.
The best way to get a workable option from the screen printing and embroidery battles is to understand the informed discussion about each. The analysis covered in this article involves the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing uses a squeegee, mesh screen, and ink to transfer stenciled designs to flat surfaces. The technique is commonly applicable in creating prints on fabrics and paper. When specialized ink is used, screen printing can be applied to design metals, glass, wood, and even plastic. The whole process of screen printing only uses ink and not thread. In our day-to-day activities, we come across individuals wearing shirts and other clothing articles that have undergone screen printing.
Apart from being used in-home business, the screen printing method can also be used in large outdoor commercial activities. The screen printing possibilities are endless. When one follows the necessary steps, the final product becomes sharp and precise. The process of screen printing is sometimes referred to as silkscreen printing. A single shade of ink can be used in a single procedure of screen printing.
Several color codes can also be combined to create multicolored items.
Why Screen Printing Is Used
Most people prefer screen printing because of its ability to produce vivid colors, even on dark fabrics. The paint is well-arranged in layers, thus making the printed item have a pleasing tactile quality. A single design can be reproduced several times using the screen printing technique. The process saves time that could be spent on changing the design needs. The ability of this technique to create multiple copies on any garment or accessory is instrumental and beneficial to beginners and even experts in the printing industry.
There are professional types of equipment used to carry out screen printing. They are pretty straightforward to handle and thus help in solving the complexity of the entire printing process. There is no limit to colors that you can use in screen printing. More intense color is also acceptable if you want to create state-of-art digital printing. You can create layers of multicolored print designs that are overwhelmingly attractive and durable.
What is Embroidery?
Embroidery is the art of decorating a piece of fabric or any other material using a thread or yarn and a needle. The handicraft technique may also involve other materials like quills, pearls, sequins, and beads; in simple terms, the word embroidery means printing with the aid of a needle and thread. In the current modern world, embroidery has been emphasized on blankets, caps, denim, coats, golf shirts, dress shirts, and stockings. The thread or yarn used in embroidery is available in various colors, sizes, and shapes.
The surface ornament decoration process creates beautiful patterns when the laid thread or decorative stitches are carefully elaborated. The whole procedure depicts the desired imagery on the fabric and goes beyond improving the final product’s texture. The embroidery techniques are either practiced using sewing machines or hands. A zig-zag pattern is typically created for unique embroidery patterns that cannot pull out quickly when a sewing machine is used.
There are specialized embroidery sewing machines for home business. Such high-end equipment can apply up to 1200 stitches within one minute. An embroidery software has also been created to help the embroidery enthusiasts interpret complex designs to their sewing machines without delays. Therefore, even if it’s your first time in the embroidery industry, you still have many things to scoop from the large bowl of thread printing.
Why Embroidery?
Embroidery has reigned the art industry to the delight of humans since time immemorial. The art from this technique creates brighter and often colorful articles with vibrant appearances. Ranging from small pieces like handkerchiefs to large ones like bedspreads and wedding gowns, embroidery designs have been artfully embellished. In different parts of the world, embroidery is closely linked to cultures that sync with traditions. In other places, progressive men use embroidery techniques to grow their home businesses.
Factors That Influence Embroidery
Design
You can’t start the embroidery work without knowing the design to emulate. Be it a first-time free-hand design or a copy of an already existing design. You need a sheet of paper to pen down the guidelines and strategies to follow. Plan everything on paper before you develop the actual art on the fabric. As you work on a specific embroidery design, follow your initial inspiration and don’t allow other external factors to interrupt your plans.
You can copy embroidery design from the available design works, but creating your unique stuff is a brilliant idea. Though the process is usually a daunting task, you should always place yourself at the top by steering the creativity that everyone admires. Imagine having the best artwork that no one has ever conceptualized. You will convince many souls that you’re the real embroidery professional. The home business will also expand very fast to beyond your expectations.
The most popular design subjects for embroidery are drawn from nature. Flowers and fruits are the most common. The border design is fundamental because it makes your artwork attractive and different from the previous creations. Adopt the style with simple changes and the pattern that suits your embroidery style.
Equipment and Materials
The basic materials for embroidery include a frame, thread, and fabric. However, it would help if you had other additional tools to do more. An embroidery hoop is needed to hold the material. The marking tools like pencils, rulers, and practical cutting tools such as scissors are needed to highlight the designs. Specialized equipment makes work easier. In essence, the tools make the complicated work responsive to all kinds of coordination employed to streamline the work process.
Fabric Selection
The surface texture and prints on the fabric are among the crucial aspects contributing to the embroidery outcomes. For example, the chequered fabric is more suitable for chicken scratch designs. There are embroidery designs that might not appear ideal on other types of prints. For woven fabrics, cross-stitching is preferred, and for the printed fabric, all the famous embroidery weaves can be used.
The thickness of the fabric is crucial. The thickness helps in the estimation of the thread one needs to use. Care instructions should be offered to the final consumers of fabric with an embroidery design. The wash and wear concerns are essential and transparent facts should be clearly stated. If special treatment is needed, it should be emphasized.
Therefore, as an embroider with a home business, always ensure that you have a complete care analysis of what suits the fabric’s texture and the installed embroidery design.
Color Scheme
In the whole process of embroidery, color coordination is essential. If a slight mismatch is created, then the oversaturated or under saturated colors will leave the public doubting your handcraft skills. Colors are more personal; therefore, appealing colors to you will also be an excellent item to someone else on some special occasions.
Always consider the different color schemes in your embroidery designs. Girls might like the pink color while males see it as a childish act. Hence, do thorough research on ways that help you create the best color combinations.
Every color has value, and it shouldn’t be contradicting with the fabric’s appearance. In every embroidery project, always visualize how the outcome will look like with the selected colors. The number of colors you can use for a single project is also your personal choice. However, for more unified looks, restrict the color schemes to a range of between three and four.
The Embroidery Techniques
To learn different embroidery skills, you need patience, consistency, and practice. The embroidery field is pervasive, with a lot of things to learn. Almost every state in the world has developed a unique embroidery technique. Usually, people consider simple and straightforward methods to help them achieve their goals.
Depending on your readiness, you can learn all embroidery skills. It may range from simple ones to more complex techniques. At the end of the learning process, you will know what you’re doing. Once you have a variety of embroidery techniques at your fingertips, then you can build your home business. For every piece you touch for thread printing, the final decorated fabric becomes remarkable. In your free time, consider learning something new about embroidery.
Purpose of Embroidery Project
The purpose of the embroidery projected determines where the embroider unit can be placed. The scale of the project and the design should rhyme with simple, intricate designs. Proper placement of the designs is paramount in the creation of award-winning embroidery projects. Imagine placing beautiful designs in the wrong position and in the fabric that doesn’t match with any special occasion as intended. The whole idea will be awkward.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The clear difference between screen printing and embroidery is the image complexity. If you wish to paint a clear image or a photograph, embroidery is not the best option. Screen printing has the most accurate image outcomes.
Embroidery, on the other hand, is suitable for simple images like logos. The embroidery arts tend to last longer than the screen printing designs.
Its classical looks remain in the fabric for a lifetime.
How to Use Brother Embroidery Machine for Logos
Step 1: Upload the Logo
If you have a design file that is not available in the already existing digital software of Brother Embroidery machine, you can easily upload it using a USB drive. Once the file is on the program, crop out the unnecessary spaces that surround the image.
Step 2: Set the Design size.
Insert the dimensions that you want the embroidered logo to have. It’s the exact image that you will realize on your product. The size should always be moderate. However, that is probably based on what you need to achieve. Measure the size of the logo design accurately and lock the dimensions and the picture before moving to the next step.
Step 3: Choose the Stich Type
There are different stitching techniques used to accomplish the texture and looks of logos. Each type has a maximum length that should be taken into consideration. The fabric also helps in selecting the right type of stitching. The straight stitches are mainly used for shading, detailing work, and outlining. Satin stitch is used to mark borders, perfect lettering, and achievement of shiny looks. The fill stitching is commonly used for larger designs to create textured looks and durable applications that fill the blank spaces.
Step 4: Set the Stitching Direction
Direction is the roadmap that the brother embroidery machine follows while designing the logo. In this step, you should administer detailed instructions to the machine. Be clear on the stitch patterns, contours, shades, and textures. This step is important because an efficient stitching direction saves you thread and time.
Step 5: Set Thread Colors
Select the thread color that matches the corporate logo that you wish to produce. Check the color matching chart to know the right pontine colors for the new logos.
Step 6: Prepare the Embroidery Machine
After the embroidery file is set, get it ready for stitching. Inform the machine about design elements and embroidery sequence. Ensure that the machine has proper thread color before positioning the product on embroidery frames.
Step 7: Test the Digitalized Logo
Watch the brother embroidery machine as it creates a digitalized logo. In case adjustments are needed, do it and test again. When satisfied with the outcome, you’re then ready for the embroidered products. Finally, run the machine and give it time before you pick the logo.
How to do screen printing on t shirts at home
Although there are many screen printing methods, similar basic techniques are also available. The most famous type of screen printing used for the home business uses light-reactive emulsion.
Step 1: Create a Design
A printer is usually used to create the desired design on a product during screen printing. Before printing a t-shirt for a home business, you need to frame the acetate film with the desired design and test it severally before using it in a real task.
Step 2: Prepare the Screen
Choose the mesh screen that suits all design dimensions and textures of the fabric you want to print. Coat the mesh screen with light-reactive emulsions that harden immediately it’s exposed to bright light.
Step 3: Expose the emulsion
The acetate sheet with the pre-determined design is laid on the screen coated with emulsion. The whole setup is then exposed to bright light. The light will make the emulsion harden, and the parts covered by the printer design will still be in liquid form.
Step 4: Ensure that the line of design meets
If you need more than one color in the final design, a separate screen is used to apply different layers of ink. For multicolored products, use your hard-earned skills to design every stencil differently. Ensure that the line of design meets the criteria needed for the final design.
Step 5: Wash Off the Emulsion
After exposing the screen to bright light for some minutes, the parts not covered by design will be hardened. The emulsion is carefully cleared off by thorough rinsing. The cleansing leaves the clear print of the screen design that ink can pass through on the next printing.
The screen should be left to dry after cleaning. Touch-ups or corrections can be done when necessary to ensure that the print is always accurate and emulates all the original design features. After washing off the emulsion, the stencil is ready for use.
Step 6: Prepare the T-Shirt for Printing
Place the screen on the printing press. The t-shirt should have a rigid printing board underneath.
Step 7: Press the ink through the screen.
While the screen is held tightly in contact with the printing board, add the ink from the top. Squeeze the top-dressed ink to ensure that it covers the entire screen length. However, do not use excessive force on this step. The ink penetrates the tiny patent perforations if pressed too hard, thus ruining the whole design.
Step 8: Dry the T-shirt
The printed t-shirt is placed in a warm and dry area to allow for air drying. Ink is allowed to dry slowly as the process allows smoothness of the material and durability. Always check the printed t-shirt, and prevent the unwanted residue from affecting its color consistency. Before passing to the customers, one should always ensure that the design made can withstand thorough cleaning.
Screen Printing Cost vs. Embroidery Cost
Embroidery is a more expensive option compared to screen printing. However, if you produce a high quantity of products, the cost per item is likely to reduce. Screen printing is budget-friendly for most design projects because the equipment used is less expensive.
Conclusion: Should You Go with Screen Printing or Embroidery?
The designing technique that you choose to dress your home business depends on the image that you wish to have. Screen printing is accurate and flexible to render detailed images. However, the embroidery technique creates long-lasting designs. The durable solution of embroidery also looks more professional.
