Screen Print vs Digital Print: What’s the Difference?

People sometimes talk about printing methods as though one produces proper art and another does not. I don't think it works like that.

A screen print and a digital print are made differently, but either can begin with an original idea, drawing, photograph, collection of words or completely unreasonable thought that refuses to go away.

Both can become artwork worth living with.

The real difference is in how the image travels from the artist’s head—or iPad—onto the paper.

What Is a Screen Print?

Screen printing, also called silk screen printing, is a physical process in which ink is pushed through a prepared mesh screen onto paper. Each colour normally needs its own screen and is printed separately.

If an artwork contains three colours, the paper may go through the printing process three times. Each layer must line up with the previous one, unless a little misalignment is part of the plan—or becomes part of it when things do not go according to plan!

The ink sits strongly on the surface of the paper, producing the solid colour, graphic quality and tactile character associated with screen printing.

My ZeTrunk screen prints tend to suit bold shapes, hand-drawn lettering and colours that have no intention of disappearing politely into the background.

Obnoxious C**t for example, uses clashing colour as part of the idea. The toxic-looking image needed to feel loud, uncomfortable and impossible to ignore. Screen printing helped give it that physical presence.

You can explore more limited-edition silk screen prints in the ZeTrunk collection.

What Is a Digital Print?

A digital print is produced directly from a digital image file using a specialist printer.

Rather than preparing an individual screen for every colour, the printer can reproduce multiple colours, fine details, subtle changes in tone and more complicated imagery as part of the same printing process. This makes digital printing particularly useful when an artwork contains intricate marks, layered colour, gradients or details that would be difficult to separate into a small number of screens.

The artwork itself might have started as a drawing, painting, photograph, collage or digital composition. Digital refers to the method used to produce the finished print, not necessarily to the way the original idea was created.

My digital work still begins with the same mixture of thoughts, words, symbols, visual ideas and things that have caught my attention. The method simply gives me different possibilities when turning those ideas into a physical print.

Romeo and Juliet is a natural example. Its imagery, colour and detail lend themselves to digital printing in a way that is different from the bold layers of a screen print.

You can see the full collection of digital art prints. 

Is a Digital Print Just a Poster?

Not necessarily.

“Digital print” describes how an image has been printed. It does not tell you everything about the quality of the artwork, paper or production. A cheaply produced poster and a carefully made artist’s print might both use digital printing, but that does not make them the same object.

The quality of a digital art print depends on factors including:

* the quality of the original artwork file;
* the printing equipment and inks;
* the paper;
* colour accuracy;
* the attention given to producing the finished piece.

The important thing is to read the product description and understand exactly what you are buying.

What Are the Main Differences?

The most obvious difference is the production process.

A screen print is built physically, colour by colour, using separate screens and layers of ink. A digital print is produced from a digital file and can reproduce its colours and details directly.

Screen prints often have stronger areas of solid colour and a more tactile surface. Small differences can also appear between individual prints because ink, pressure and alignment are part of a hands-on process.

Digital printing can retain intricate detail and a much wider range of colour without requiring a separate screen for every element. Prints from the same file are generally more consistent with one another.

Neither of those things automatically makes one better than the other.

They simply create different results.

Are Screen Prints Always Limited Editions?

Screen prints are frequently produced in limited editions because preparing the screens and printing each colour takes time. Once the agreed number has been printed, that edition is complete.

An edition number such as 3/15 means that you own print number three from an edition of fifteen.

However, you should always check the individual product description rather than assuming every screen print is signed, numbered or limited in exactly the same way.

My guide to what a limited-edition silk screen print is explains edition numbers, variations and what to check before buying in more detail.

Can a Digital Print Be a Limited Edition?

Yes. The printing method and the edition size are two separate things.

An artist can choose to produce only a fixed number of digital prints, sign and number them, and close the edition once they have sold. Another digital artwork might be sold as an open edition without a fixed production limit.

“Digital” does not automatically mean unlimited, just as “screen printed” should not replace checking the information supplied with the artwork.

The product listing should make the edition status clear.

Why Do Screen Prints Often Cost More?

Screen printing involves several physical stages. They are simply more labour intensive in the process of printing them.

Screens must be prepared, colours mixed, paper positioned and each layer printed separately. A mistake late in the process can mean losing a print that has already passed successfully through several earlier stages.

Paper, edition size, the number of colours and any hand-finishing can also affect the final price.

Digital printing normally makes it easier to produce detailed, full-colour artwork without building separate screens. That can make digital art prints a more accessible way to own an artist’s work.

Price alone, however, does not determine which piece you will enjoy more.

Which Type of Print Should You Choose?

Choose the artwork first. The piece you love the look of most.

If you love strong blocks of ink, bold graphic shapes and the physical character of a hand-pulled process, you may be drawn towards a screen print.

If you prefer detailed imagery, complex colour or want a more accessible way to begin buying art, a digital print may suit you better.

But you do not need to make a permanent declaration of allegiance to one printing method.

You can own both.

Think about the space, the colours and the reaction the artwork creates. Check the size, paper, edition information and whether it is supplied framed or unframed.

Then ask the only question that really matters:

Do I want to keep looking at it? Will it bring me joy?

If the answer is yes, the printing method has already done its job.

Ze