What Actually Is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is a technology that uses tiny dots of ink to transfer an image onto a surface. The process is used to create designs on a variety of products such as shirts, leather, glass, plastic, and paper. There are many factors to consider when deciding if screen printing is right for you. You should take into account how the final product will be used, the amount of time it will take, and the quality of the ink.

First Step

First, you should choose the type of emulsion you will use. Some screen printing inks will require a high-temperature cure to fully set. This is usually 300-330 degrees F. For water-based inks, you don’t have to worry about such high temperatures. In addition, these inks will stay wet longer, giving you a nice soft “hand” for your finished product.

Second Step

Next, you will need the right equipment to make the best possible screen print. This includes the proper mesh screen and a pressing machine. A screen is a special type of fabric that is coated with a photosensitive emulsion, which will enable it to absorb and hold ink. Various types of screens have different exposure ranges, so it is important to choose the right one.

Third Step

The screen is then lowered into position on the press. This is done to ensure a good alignment of the material being printed on. Once the screen is positioned, the appropriate amount of ink is placed on top. Using a squeegee, you will push the ink through the openings in the mesh. While you will have to make several passes to get a good imprint, the results are worth the effort.

If you are not a professional printer, you may want to try your hand at screen printing at home. It can be quite fun. One of the perks is that you can print on virtually any surface. However, it is not recommended for small or low-volume projects. Also, it is not a particularly cheap hobby. So, you should be prepared to spend some time and money on getting the right tools and equipment.

If you have a computer, you can use it to print your design on an acetate film. This is the best way to ensure that the image is true to life.

The screen may look simple, but it takes a lot of skill and research to produce a decent, if not great, result. As the number of colours increases, so does the cost. Although screen printing can be done manually, most are done on a press. Generally, the larger the print run, the cheaper the cost per print.

Finally….!

Finally, the screen has to be cleaned. This can be a tricky part, but it is not as difficult as you may think. To clean it, you can either use a garden hose or a pressure washer. Alternatively, you could opt for an automated machine, which can do most of the work for you.