Tobias Reed Production Knowledge Lead at 4OVER4.COM
Tobias is our voice for cutting, binding and large format, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.
Question
How do I decide between screen printing and vinyl for a custom order?
Answer
Choosing between screen printing and heat-applied vinyl comes down to three quick questions about your run. Work through them in order and the answer usually becomes obvious.
| Question | Lean screen printing | Lean vinyl |
|---|---|---|
| How many pieces? | Over 25 | Under 25 |
| How many colors? | Up to 4 | Over 4, gradients, photos |
| What material? | Cotton (either works) | Synthetics |
- Screen printing gets cheaper per piece as the quantity climbs.
- Vinyl handles fine detail and full-color art without cutting extra screens.
- For mixed needs, start with quantity and let color count break the tie.
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