Five main benefits of rotary screen printing technology

Five main benefits of rotary screen printing technology

Digital textile printing is a hot topic in the industry. Trendwatchers expect digital printing to replace rotary screen printing eventually, but there’s still a bright future for the technology. Across the world, 65% of textiles are printed using rotary screen machines, demonstrating its competitive cost, high quality, and consistency. In this article, we highlight 5 main advantages of Rotary Screen Printing.

At PI Cottex Pvt Ltd, India we’re excited about the potential for digital inkjet textile printing, but we see a future where both technologies can coexist. Let’s have a look at why we believe rotary printing will remain at the heart of the industry:

1: Print on any fabric color

The capacity to print on any color of fabric with the same machine, in addition to white, is one of the main advantages of rotary screen printing. The use of certain chemicals makes it feasible to print, for example, blue on black.

Chemicals are used in the rotary printing process to eliminate the ground color and add a new color. For digital printers that utilize printheads to apply color to cloth, this is not achievable. Digital printers can only print directly onto white fabric as a result. Your print operations will be more flexible with rotary printers since they can print any chemical that can be used on fabric in a single machine.

2 Print on any type of fabric

The same rotary screen printer may print directly onto cotton, polyester, silk, wool, and other fabrics (or a combination of them). To operate the entire production on a single machine type, all you have to do is switch to the appropriate print paste. This guarantees flexibility while allowing print enterprises to maintain quality.

In contrast, digital printers are limited to printing on textiles that belong to the same family and are unable to often change the different types of inks. To print on various types of cloth, you need separate machines, which can significantly raise the initial cost of purchase, ongoing expenses, and maintenance.

Lastly, flat textiles are necessary for digital printers to produce optimal outcomes. On the other hand, rotary machines are capable of printing well on a wide range of materials, including velvet and pile fabrics.  

3: Fancy prints and special finishes

Print companies who work with fashion customers or make clothing or other products for children would especially want to print intricate designs and use specific finishes. Complex designs, glitters, solid particles, and unique finishes like burnout effects and anti-slip dots can all be printed using rotary printers.

For huge runs, your only alternative is rotary screen printing because digital printers cannot handle thick pastes. Additionally capable of accurately replicating intricate designs, modern rotary printers produce a superior finish meter after meter.

4: Cost-effective for higher volumes

Cost-per-meter is a crucial figure for the majority of printing companies. While digital printing works well for short runs. Rotary printing is the most economical option for prints longer than 1,200 meters.

The ease of use and speed with which print tasks can be started are two advantages of digital printing. Costs are increased by the preparation time required for rotary machinery. Small-volume printing has an excessively high cost per job. But when printing in big quantities, there’s no competition—rotary always comes out on top.

5: Full penetration on any fabric type

The capacity of rotary printing to completely penetrate the fabric is one of its less well-known advantages. As a result, the fabric has a design that is visible on both sides without requiring double printing. Print enterprises can reduce manufacturing costs and save time by doing this. Double-sided printing works well on scarves, but it can also penetrate completely through thicker materials.

Digital vs. rotary → Digital AND rotary

With the development of contemporary printing technologies, printing businesses are faced with a challenging decision. Which printing technique would yield the most results for their printing process in terms of both economic and quality benefits? Although rotary and digital printing are sometimes seen as mutually exclusive, they work well together. Digital technology is not yet able to provide some of the answers that rotary screen printing can.

With only one machine, you can print the most intricate designs on any color and any fabric thanks to the rotary screen printer’s adaptability. Furthermore, conventional printing is the sole method that enables full penetration, elaborate prints, and unique finishes. We think rotary printing will continue at the core of the industry for many more years to come. Even if digital printing technologies have advanced significantly in terms of cost and dependability. For more contact fabric manufacturers in Ludhiana.