Different Types of Screen Printing Techniques You Should Know

Screen printing comes in many forms, each offering something special for your creative projects. From classic bold prints to unique textures and eye-catching finishes, there’s a screen printing style for every idea. 

Whether you’re making t-shirts, posters, or custom gifts, understanding your options will help you get the best results. 

Explore this guide to discover the different types of screen printing and choose the perfect method for your next project!

What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a mesh screen, ink, and a squeegee to transfer a design onto a surface. 

It’s popular because it creates vibrant, durable prints that last through many washes and wears. You can use screen printing on fabric, paper, wood, glass, and more.

📌Want to see how the process works step-by-step? Check out our guide on how screen printing works for a quick walkthrough.

Main Types of Screen Printing Techniques

There’s more than one way to screen print! Here are the most common types:

✨Traditional (Flat-Bed) Screen Printing

This is the classic method. The screen is laid flat over the material, and ink is pushed through with a squeegee. It’s great for printing on t-shirts, posters, and other flat surfaces.

✨Rotary Screen Printing

With rotary screen printing, the screen is shaped like a cylinder and rotates as the material moves underneath. This method is often used for printing on fabric rolls, wallpaper, and continuous patterns.

✨Cylinder Screen Printing

Cylinder screen printing is similar to rotary, but it’s mainly used for printing on round objects like bottles, cups, and tubes.

✨Manual vs. Automatic Screen Printing

Manual screen printing is done by hand and is perfect for small batches or custom prints. Automatic screen printing uses machines for faster, high-volume jobs. Both can produce high-quality results, but automation is better for big orders.

Popular Types of Screen Printing Methods

Screen printing has lots of variations, each with its own look and feel. Here are the most popular types of screen printing:

✨Spot Color Screen Printing

This is the most common type. It uses one screen for each color in your design, making bold and vibrant prints. It’s perfect for logos and simple graphics.

✨Grayscale Screen Printing

Grayscale printing uses shades of black and gray to create detailed images, like black-and-white photos. It’s a good choice for prints that don’t need color but still want depth.

✨Halftone Screen Printing

Halftone printing uses tiny dots of different sizes to create gradients and shading, making it possible to print detailed images with just a few ink colors.

✨CMYK (Four-Color Process) Screen Printing

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. This process mixes those four inks to create full-color prints, great for photos and detailed artwork.

✨Simulated Process Screen Printing

Simulated process printing uses special color separations to create photo-realistic prints, even on dark shirts. It’s popular for t-shirt designs with lots of colors.

✨Discharge Screen Printing

This technique removes the dye from dark fabric and replaces it with a new color, creating a soft, vintage feel. Discharge prints are smooth to the touch.

✨Water-Based Screen Printing

Water-based ink soaks into the fabric, making a soft, breathable print. It’s eco-friendly and great for light-colored shirts.

✨Plastisol Screen Printing

Plastisol ink sits on top of the fabric and creates a bright, durable print. It’s the industry standard for most t-shirts and works on any color fabric.

✨Puff (3D) Screen Printing

Puff printing uses a special ink that puffs up when heated, giving your design a raised, 3D effect.

✨Flock Screen Printing

Flock printing adds a fuzzy, velvet-like texture to your design using tiny fibers.

✨Glitter and Metallic Screen Printing

These methods use glitter or metallic inks to add sparkle or shine to your prints—perfect for eye-catching designs.

✨High-Density Screen Printing

High-density ink creates thick, raised designs for a bold, tactile effect.

✨Foil Screen Printing

Foil printing adds a shiny, metallic layer to your print, making it really stand out.

📌Want to see which inks and methods work best for fabric? Browse our guide to screen printing on fabric for more tips.

Specialty Types of Screen Printing for Custom Projects

If you want something unique, try one of these specialty techniques:

✨All-Over Screen Printing

This covers the entire surface of the shirt or fabric, creating a big, bold look.

✨Burnout Screen Printing

Burnout printing uses chemicals to remove parts of the fabric, creating semi-transparent designs with a soft texture.

✨Gel Screen Printing

Gel ink adds a glossy, gel-like finish to your print for a wet look.

✨Glow-in-the-Dark Screen Printing

This uses special ink that glows under black light or in the dark—great for parties and events.

How Does Screen Printing Compare to Other Printing Methods?

There are lots of ways to print on shirts and other items. Here’s how the main types compare:

📌Want to learn more about screen printing basics? Check out our introduction to screen printing for everything you need to know.

How to Choose the Best Type of Screen Printing for Your Project

Picking the right screen printing method depends on a few things:

✅ Best Types of Screen Printing for T-Shirts

For most t-shirts, spot color, plastisol, and simulated process printing are popular. Water-based ink is perfect if you want a soft feel.

✅ Screen Printing for Posters, Signs, and Fabrics

Traditional screen printing works well for posters and signs. Rotary and all-over printing are great for fabric rolls or big designs.

✅ What to Consider: Quantity, Design, Material, and Budget

• ✔️ For big orders, choose automatic screen printing or spot color.
• ✔️ For detailed designs or photos, try CMYK, simulated process, or DTG.
• ✔️ For special effects, go with puff, foil, or glow-in-the-dark.
• ✔️ Your budget matters: screen printing is more affordable for large batches, while DTG or heat transfer works for smaller runs.

Pros and Cons of Each Screen Printing Method

Every method has its ups and downs. Here’s a quick look:

Durability and Quality

Screen printing creates bright, long-lasting prints that handle lots of washes. Plastisol and discharge inks are especially tough.

Cost and Production Time

Screen printing is cost-effective for large orders but can be pricey for just a few shirts because of setup costs. DTG and heat transfer are better for small runs.

Design Flexibility and Color Range

Screen printing is best for bold, simple designs. CMYK and simulated processes allow for more color, but DTG and sublimation offer the most flexibility for photos and detailed art.

Conclusion

Understanding the types of screen printing helps you pick the best method for your designs and projects. 

For more screen printing guides, tips, and inspiration, visit Caydo’s blog. 

Ready to start your next masterpiece? Browse and shop quality screen printing products from Caydo to bring your ideas to life!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, sublimation or screen printing?

It depends on your needs. Sublimation is best for full-color, all-over prints on light polyester fabrics, while screen printing works on more materials and is ideal for bold, vibrant designs. If you want soft, long-lasting prints on cotton or dark fabrics, screen printing is usually the better choice.

Which is better, DTF or screen printing?

DTF is great for detailed, full-color prints on almost any material, even dark fabrics. Screen printing is better for large orders and simple, bold designs. If you need high-volume prints or want special effects like puff or foil, screen printing is a good pick.

What is the highest quality t-shirt printing?

For most people, screen printing offers the highest quality for large orders because the prints are bright, durable, and long-lasting. For photo-quality prints on small orders, DTG or sublimation may be the best choice.

Which is better, sublimation or DTF?

Sublimation is best for light polyester fabrics and all-over prints, while DTF works on many types of fabric and colors. If you want more material options and vibrant colors on dark shirts, DTF is a better fit.

How long does screen printing last on fabric?

Screen printed designs can last for years, even with regular washing and wearing. The ink bonds strongly to the fabric, especially with plastisol and discharge inks, so prints stay bright and don’t crack or fade easily.

Can you screen print on any material?

You can screen print on many materials, including cotton, polyester, blends, paper, wood, glass, and metal. However, some inks and techniques work better on certain surfaces, so always check what’s best for your project.