Screen printing is an art form and a great way to create custom products. However, it’s also a process that requires lots of preparation and follow-through.
Before the process can begin, a screen is needed, along with a stencil and emulsion. This is all done using a screen printing press.
What is a screen?
A screen is a flat vertical surface on which pictures or words are shown. They are usually found on television sets and computer screens and are also used in movie theatres.
A touch screen is a display device that allows you to interact with a computer by using your finger or a stylus. There are three main types of touch screens: resistive, capacitive, and projected capacitive.
Capacitive touchscreens use a layer of electrically conducting material to hold an electric charge; your finger changes the amount of charge at a specific point on the screen.
Resistive touchscreens use two thin layers of conductive and resistive circuitry that make contact with each other when you press your finger or touch the screen.
A special sensor registers the interruption in an electric current and calculates the exact location of the touch. This information is relayed to the touch screen driver software. Some systems rely on system-wide averages to determine where your touch occurred, while others calculate the location of each touch point individually.
What is a stencil?
Stencils are a tool that allows you to create a specific design on a surface. They’re a great way to add a personalized touch to walls, floors, furniture, and even fabrics!
They’re also popular among paper crafters. They allow you to apply a pattern to any surface, such as wood, metal, or cardboard.
Traditionally, stencils were made by hand, but now there are several techniques that you can use to make them. You can either cut them out of thin paper or film, tusche them to a mesh screen or emulsion them and print them.
Stencils are used to control a number of factors, including ink deposit, resistance to abrasion and chemical attack, and image acutance (print edge definition). The stencil’s Rz, or surface roughness, is important for controlling these factors.
What is emulsion?
An emulsion is a mixture of liquids that normally form separate layers. When these liquids are combined with a material called an emulsifier, they create a single solution, blending the two together so they appear to be one fluid.
In the case of screen printing, an emulsion can help to hold the image and the stencil in place on promotional products. It can also keep the screen from over-or under-exposing, which can cause parts of the image to wash out.
There are a few different types of emulsions to choose from, but it all depends on what type of ink you’re using, the speed at which you’re exposing your screens and the kind of exposure unit you have.
Regardless of which type you decide to use, it’s important to be able to determine the exposure window for your emulsion. Dual Cure and SBQ-based emulsions have a larger window, while photopolymer emulsion has a smaller one.
What is the process?
Screen printing is a process used to print images onto various materials such as t-shirts, bags, and even posters. It is an inexpensive and efficient way to get your custom artwork on items without the need for a large-scale production line or expensive setups.
The basic method involves a mesh fabric that is tightly stretched over a frame (similar to a window screen). An emulsion is then coated on the screen to protect the design from any light.
Ink is then spread over the top of the screen and a squeegee evenly distributes the ink to the mesh, printing only where it reaches the open areas.
This creates a neat and clean image that will look great on the item you are printing. The end result is a quality, long-lasting print that you can be proud of. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, screen printing can be the perfect solution for your personalisation needs!