What is Screen Printing and Its Benefits
Screen printing is a technique used for printing fabrics that include organza, silk, cotton, polyester, and other fabric materials. After printing fabrics with screen printing they are converted into different end products that include t-shirts, dresses, skirts, etc. This type of technique is very useful for fashion design. This is the best technique for printing bold canvas, posters, and artwork. This technique is used in different textile industries for the production of various customized clothing.
Other Name of Screen Printing
Screen printing is also known as 1) Serigraphy / Serigraph Printing 2) Silk Screen Printing. Both terms are used for screen printing.
Mechanism Of Screen Printing
In this technique, the woven mesh is used to support stencils. This type of printing along with mesh ink is very important. Ink is placed on the screen and a rubber roller (squeegee) is used to spread ink all over the screen. Then ink passes through the screen and is settled on the surface. Then with the help of air or heat ink is adhered to the surface.
The following steps should be followed carefully for perfect screen printing
Preparation of screen for printing
The first step for screen printing is preparing your screen for printing. In preparing the screen first thing to do is clean your screen deeply so that all the dirt and oil are removed and the screen can work properly. The second thing is the application of emulsion on the screen. Then, after applying the emulsion it’s time to dry it so that the next steps can be followed easily.
Preparation of artwork for printing
After cleaning your screen the next step is the preparation of artwork. You can create or edit any artwork that you want to use for your printing. Artwork can be created with the help of computer programs such as Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator. Handmade artwork is another option but the most used and popular one is artwork created by computer programs.
Film output
The next step is the transfer of artwork on transparent film to proceed to print.
Apply the Film on the Screen
Now the film is applied on the screen, then the light is shown on the screen for a specific period to make the emulsion hard. The screen should be dried completely before using it for printing.
Make Adjustments
In this step, the proper adjustment should be made to make your print aligned and perfect on your required surface.
Printing
The next step is printing; with the help of a rubber roller (squeegee) spread ink all over the screen ink will pass through the woven mesh and will settle on the surface.
Cleaning Up
Now you are done with printing here comes the most unwanted step which is cleaning. Clean the screen and all other equipment properly which will help you in the future and will keep your equipment safe from damage.
Three basic types of films used for screen printing are
- Inkjet
- Laser
- Vellum
Inkjet
It is a transparent film coated with an emulsion layer that helps to settle a large amount of ink on the surface. It is high in price as compared to laser and vellum, and it gives the best results.
Laser
This type of film is designed for use in more laser prints. Laser Marking Films is less expensive than an inkjet but their results are not as good as those of inkjet. They are mostly avoided because of toxic substances.
Vellum
It is a white or off-white paper product that can be easily printed with desktop printers. It is the least expensive film. It is not recommended for small detailed images.
Emulsions for screen printing are available in the following types.
- Photopolymer
- Dual-core
- Capillary Film
Photo Polymer
These types of emulsions are mixed with sanitizer and are ready to use, these emulsions have faster exposure time, so they are recommended for use in shops that have a controlled exposure process.
Dual-core
This product is available in two, separate parts sanitizer and emulsion. The user has to mix sanitizer in water and then put this mixture into an emulsion for printing. It is best for beginners.
Capillary Film
It is an easy-to-use and affordable type of emulsion. It is available in the form of sheets that vary in thickness and size. It is the best option for shops with huge customer demand.
Exposure units in screen printing have the following types
- Sunlight Exposure
- Led light Exposure
- Halogen Work Light Exposure
- Fluorescent Exposure
- Single Point Halide Exposure
Wash Out Booth For Screen Printing
Washout both have different types based on size and material. If you are looking for affordable options composite units are the best option and are available in different sizes. And if you are looking for a unit that is durable and easy to clean then stainless booths are the best possible option. The washout booth keeps the shop dry and clean.
The following types of the printing press are easily available.
1. Table-top – It is the least expensive press with slow production and a small footprint.
2. Stand-alone – It is an affordable press, easy to use with a large footprint. It provides faster production.
3. Automatic – This is the most expensive with the largest footprint. It provides very fast production that never needs any break.
Benefits of screen printing
- It has a low-cost affordable setup.
- It is easy to print in various color ranges.
- It is best for short print runs.
- It provides customized prints in different varieties.
- The design fits exactly on the required surface and doesn’t mess up on the screen.
- Screen printing gives high-quality output as compared to digital printing.
- Screen printing is more durable and long-lasting.
- It can be easily used on different surfaces such as glass, wood, banners, electronics, and much more
Conclusion
In short screen printing is a technique that has been used for many years. It is a suitable option for printing minute details on any type of fabric. Although it is time-consuming it provides the best possible results with clear and vibrant prints. This type of printing is useful for printing magazines, images, logos, and designs on different surfaces like wood, glass, fabric, electronics, and much more.
