Screen Printing vs Digital Printing

[Blocker]

What methods are used to print decals?
I've seen heaps of decals around and you do screen print, what make one type better than the other?

[stickthis]

A question I get asked all the time.

Screen Printing has been around for years. All the original decals on old Holden's and even current ones are screen printed.

I will use HX/HZ stripes as they are a good example and relate to most here.

There are 3 types of decals you find.
1. 3 layer vinyl. This is how it sounds. 1 colour of vinyl is stuck down. The next colour and then the next colour on top of that. So you end up with 3 separate layers. Which tend to look tacky. Not too bad from a distance. The other issue with 3 layer HX/HZ stripes is there is only limited numbers of colours available. So basically you can just get them as close as you can. 3 layer kits sell for about $200. Cheapest option. But far from best.

2. Digital Printing. This process is printed automatically just like your standard bubble-jet printer. But on a bigger scale. Inks are printed onto a vinyl. If a good quality vinyl is use the vinyl will last for years. BUT the issue is with the colours that is printed onto the vinyl. There is NO digital inks on the market that are designed for long periods in the sun. Digital printing is great for anything indoors. But is not as good for anything that has a high wearing surface. Like stripes which are washed, rubbed up etc. Your will notice the colours will start to fade after 2-3 years. The proof is out there with the stripes. There have been a few people selling digital printed stripes for a while now. It is obvious when looking at digital printed stripes that they have faded. Digital printed stripes are quite cheap. $280-$300 will get you a set.

3. Screen Printing. This is by far the best way to print. Not only onto vinyl but also onto stubby holders, hats and t-shirts. Its been around for many many years. Its a much more time consuming and costly process. For the HX/HZ sandman stripes you need 3 separate screens. These screens cost thousands and mishaps can happen which can destroy a screen! On the HX/HZ stripes you start with a clear vinyl. Each colour is than printed onto it. Starting with the outside colour first. Only one colour can be printed a day. Each screen is quite heavy also. Making it a two person job. For this reason screen printed HX/HZ stripes we are selling for $420 a set. But the extra $100 is well worth spent. I have seen/have many original panels with original decals on them. The originals where screen printed. Some of these have faded. But keep in mind they are 30 years old! With a sandman build these days they do not see as much sun light as they did back in the day as daily drivers. Even as a daily driver screen printed decals will not fade for many many years. There are cheap screen printed decals (bumper stickers etc). The reason you find these fade quite quickly is because they do not use Australian designed inks and the vinyl they use is cheap. As said when a good screen printed ink and vinyl is used they will last for ever.

On another note I supplied a mate with a decal for the top of his front windscreen. Just a custom one. It was screen printed, reds and blacks onto a white vinyl. His windscreen wipers run over the top of it! Its been on there for about 12 months. It has rubbed through in some sections but is still stuck solid to the windscreen and can be read not a problem at all.

In conclusion we could do the digital printed decals but we will not. All our decals as said are screen printed when printing is needed. Why try to save $100 on some cheap decals when you spend $10,000+ on a paint job? No one wants to be pulling off 4 or 5 year old decals.

Hope that helps. Happy to answer any more Q's.
Cheers
Jason

[agr071]

So what sort of $$ will be needed for a set of white HJ ones with Sandman for the tailgate?

[Sandman]

Why would you want that on the tailgate of your van??????????????????????????

[agr071]

Because IMO the strip looks boring.

[stickthis]

Why would you want that on the tailgate of your van??????????????????????????

We sell quite a few. Many do opt for it. Others just get another pillar decal and stick on the tailgate with the block also.

[Sandman]

Each to their own I suppose, just don't look right to me.

[stickthis]

So what sort of $$ will be needed for a set of white HJ ones with Sandman for the tailgate?

$272 for the stripes and rear tailgate block. Also 2 "Sandman" script logos. They are ofcourse screen printed.
$80 for the rear tailgate. This will be vinyl cut though not screen printed.
$15 to post.

Cheers
Jason

[agr071]

$272 for the stripes and rear tailgate block. Also 2 "Sandman" script logos. They are ofcourse screen printed.
$80 for the rear tailgate. This will be vinyl cut though not screen printed.
$15 to post.

Cheers
Jason

Thanks for that.
I'll let you know when the time comes.