The Secret Art Of Screen Printing

The term ‘printing’ may be explained as the procedure of creating lettering and pictures, usually using ink and paper via a printing press. The science of printing has really advanced and progressed over the years. Screen-printing, in all of its various forms, is a popular technique.

Screen-printing, also referred to as silk screening, is a method that is best for surfaces that are relatively flat. In this process, fine mesh or a screen is tightly stretched over a rigid frame, with the screen masking areas which will not be printed. In order to make a print, the screen is placed atop the item that is to be printed; then a blob of thick ink is applied. Next the ink is pressed through the screen with the assistance of a squeegee. The ink clings to the unmasked area, thereby creating the print, and the masked area is screened from ink penetration. After this, the printed item goes through a heated tunnel that dries the ink so that items can be stacked or put into packages.

When more than one color is involved, the process is repeated, utilizing different screens. So, four screens would be necessary for a four-color print; they can be placed on a rotary press or done by hand, allowing each color to print in its proper place.

There are several methods of masking a screen. The simplest thing to do is to apply masking fluid right onto the screen. This process works very well for two-color graphics, while a photosensitive emulsion process is utilized for jobs involving multiple colors.

Screen-printed T-shirts using plastic inks are often stiflingly hot if you aren’t sure of what you’re getting as you order. For more subdued and vintage-looking screen-printed apparel, inks with a water base might be preferable. For a bold and heavy printing, application of plastic-based inks using heat might be a wise choice.

Many printers prefer the plastic-containing inks for several reasons: they are easier on the printing equipment, their colors are brighter, they are heavier and more visible, and they are more durable than thinner inks. Plastic inks may begin to show cracking after only a brief period of time. Natural inks look better and last longer than synthetic ones.

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