How is screen printing different from iron-ons?
Screen printing is different from iron-ons for a couple of reasons. First, screen printing generally will last longer. In screen printing, the ink meshes into the fabric of the garment. Where as in iron-ons or heat transfers, the ink sets on top of the material. It doesn’t have the same bond that screen printing allows. Second, screen printing is less costly on a large quantity scale. Heat transfers are less costly on a smaller scale, say under a dozen pieces. This is because iron-ons aren’t always screen printed first onto a sheet of transfer paper. So there wouldn’t be any screen charges. They can also be computer generated and printed onto transfer paper. Then ironed directly to the garment. Iron-ons can also be felt or pre screen printed letters or numbers, that are ironed on the garment. If iron-ons are properly applied to the shirts, they can last a very long time. We don’t want you to get the wrong idea that iron-ons don’t work. They do! The result lies in the application.
