How To Use Screen Printing Effectively
Screen printing involves using a stencilled mesh and ink to create a printed image. This process can be used across many industries, and while few people understand the basics of screen printing, nearly everyone has used or owned a product that was branded with it.
How Does Screen Printing Work?
Screen printing involves transferring a stencilled image onto a flat surface with a mesh screen and ink. These designs can be created using multiple techniques and include various colours.
Screen printing is a process that involves many steps.
Step 1: Creating the design. This step is to decide on the design, which will then be printed onto transparent acetate film used to create the screen or stencil.
Step 2: Preparing your Screen. You must choose the screen size and mesh count (the number of fibres/inch). Different designs will require different mesh counts. Higher mesh counts can print finer details and preserve ink. The selected mesh is then coated in a light-reactive layer emulsion. You can also choose from different types of Emulsion to get different results.
Step 3: Expose the Emulsion. Once the design is printed on the acetate, expose the whole thing to bright light. The light hardens the acrylic so that any design on the screen remains liquid. You will need a separate screen to apply each layer of the final design if you plan on using more than one colour. Multi-coloured products cannot be printed unless the printer can accurately design and align each stencil.
Step 4: Wash the Emulsion. After exposing the screen for a specified time, the screen will turn hardened. Clear imprints will form if any oil remains. After drying, the screen will be cleaned, and the printer will do any touch-ups. The stencil can now be used.
Step 5: Preparing your item and printing. Place the material you wish to print flat on the board. Then, place the screen that contains the design on top. You can then apply the design by dropping the screen to the printing board and adding the desired colour ink. You can use a squeegee to distribute the ink along its length evenly, press it through the stencil, transfer it to the material below, and print the design. The stencil can be used again after being washed.
Step 6: Finishing, Drying and Checking the Product. After printing, the product must be dried in a dryer. This helps cure ink, giving it a smooth and colourfast finish. The final product should be washed thoroughly before being given to the new owner.
How Can Screen Printing Be Used?
Screen printing can be applied to any material, regardless of its shape or thickness. It can be used for many purposes, including:
- Artwork, posters, and canvasses
- Clothing designs.
- Decals and stickers
- Signage.
- Sports products that are brand-named
- Promotional merchandise
- Textile fabric designs.
- Balloons, decorations.
- Packaging labels and product labels
Minuteman Press Parkhurst is available to answer your questions about screen printing and how it can be used to promote your business. Contact us today for more information.