Silkscreen and offset printing are the methods of printing for large run CD/DVD replication. What is the difference between the two? When should you print offset and when should you print silkscreen?

1. Offset printing

full color offset disc print

Offset printing is the newer technique of the two. It uses CMYK colors and results in realistic full color print. It works best on photographic images and full color art. Printing large area of solid color with offset may cause variations in different parts of the disc.

2. Silkscreen printing

silkscreen disc print

Silkscreen printing (or screen printing) has been the standard printing method for discs, and it’s often used for T-shirt, mug, and other irregular items too. It involves a thick layer of ink poured onto a stencil with the excess scraped off, forcing the remaining ink through the holes in the stencil to create the image on the surface of the disc. Thin lines or small details may disappear as a result of the ink application.

Spot colors are often used in silkscreen printing. The most common ones being Pantone colors. CMYK printing can be done as well but the results are less than ideal.

Silkscreen printing is best for spot color printing with artwork consists of solid areas. Silkscreen printing is also preferred if logo colors need to be matched. The result is stunning, vibrant and consistent color throughout.

In terms of artwork preparation, vector artwork is preferred.