The iPhone 8 China-copy screen is not compatible with iOS11

This is a known issue and reputable suppliers have contacted people about the possibility of the problem with the lower tier aftermarket screens which are fixed via a firmware update to the IC of the screen.

More info and source here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/mobilerepair/co...

This problem exists for the cheap and high imitation screen produced in China. The system upgrade will cause all kinds of problems in the screen, such as screen, white screen and no touch function.

will using an apple screen or high quality aftermarket fix the problem?

or are the customers screwed? i fix about 20 a month and this could cause problems

Apple is adding software to ios updates that will detect aftermarket batteries, screens, possibly other components. There is no way to fight this right now. The only answer is to find used Apple parts. Any repair shops using aftermarket batteries and screens could be bit hard later when all your customers end up with boot looping iphones. If you then try to go to the Apple store and have them install a real Apple screen, they won’t do it. Any aftermarket parts installed will prevent them from doing any repairs at all.