Screen Printing

Printing can be defined as a process of producing texts and images, typically with ink and paper by a printing press. Printing is an essential part of any publishing business and is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process. Printing as a technology has come a long way and has improved with time. The advancements have resulted in the development of various types of printing techniques. From the several techniques available, screen-printing is used most extensively.

Screen-printing is also known as silk screening and is a technique that is suitable for relatively flat surfaces. The process involves the use of a fine mesh or screen that is tightly stretched around a rigid frame, wherein the screen masks the areas, which are not to be printed. To create a print, the screen is placed over the item to be printed along with a blob of thick ink. With the help of a squeegee the ink is then pressed through the screen. The ink penetrates the unmasked area and creates the print, whereas the masked area prevents the ink from entering, thus creating the distinctions. The printed item is then passed through a heated tunnel to dry the ink so that the items can be stacked and packaged.

In case of multiple colors, the process is repeated by using different screens. Therefore, a four-color print will require four screens that are placed on a rotary press that allows proper alignment of different color prints and in coordination with each other. The improvement in technologies has resulted in the development of fully automated presses, which require minimum human intervention.

A screen can be masked in many different ways. The simplest method is to apply masking fluid directly to the screen. This process is ideal for two-color graphics, whereas a photosensitive emulsion process is used for multi-colored jobs.

Screen-printing is extensively used for printing on t-shirts, garments, and other fabrics. It is also used on all sorts of substrates, ranging from plastic to metal. Screen-printing is a unique process as it is simple yet achieves intricate and bold details.

Printing provides detailed information on Printing, Photo Printing, Post Card Printing, Commercial Printing and more. Printing is affiliated with Screen Printing Equipment.