What is Screen Printing?
Screen printing is another type of printing used in printing. But this type of printing is very different from all others in that it allows you to apply any full-color image on any surface. Whether it is paper or cardboard, polyethylene or oracal film, wood or metal, fabric or glass, any base is suitable, and the image on it will be bright, clear and beautiful.
Silk-screen is a rather complicated technological process that requires high skills of specialists. To apply an image with all the features of the material, you need a lot of experience and skill. This process is most often used for printing on posters, fabrics and packaging. However, it has been adapted to a larger number of objects, as the technology is much more advanced today.
It has been used for over 100 years in the commercial and art sector and is mainly used for printing images and drawings on T-shirts, bags, paper, wood, ceramics and other materials.
There are different types of screen printing, depending on the purpose and process used. These include screen printing for the graphic design sector, for the art sector and textile printing, which interests us most.
Custom screen printing is optimal for creating brand recognition through the use of various advertising products.
Different materials are used for screen printing. To begin with, a printing frame is created, more precisely, the pattern is printed on the sheet so that the paint can be carried.
The frame is placed on the T-shirt and the squeezer is used to squeeze the colors (one layer for each color).
After applying a coat of paint, the frame is left to dry, after which it can be used for another application.
Despite their skill, in recent years screen printing has become more modern, ink and equipment have appeared, allowing to get results of ultra-precise quality.
Screen printing machine
A screen printing machine, also known as a screen printing press, is a piece of equipment used in the process of screen printing. The machine typically consists of a screen, ink, a squeegee, and a platen. The screen is mounted onto the press, and the garment to be printed is placed onto the platen.
There are various types of screen printing machines, but they generally fall into two categories: manual and automatic. Here are some key differences between the two:
Manual Screen Printing Machine:
- Requires the operator to manually move the screen and squeegee across the garment
- Less expensive than automatic machines
- Suitable for smaller runs and shorter print jobs
- Requires more skill and practice to achieve consistent results
Automatic Screen Printing Machine:
- The screen and squeegee are moved automatically by the machine
- Faster and more efficient than manual machines
- More expensive than manual machines
- Suitable for larger runs and longer print jobs
- Requires less skill and practice to achieve consistent results
When choosing a screen printing machine, it’s important to consider factors such as the size of the machine, the number of colors it can print, and the level of automation it offers. It’s also important to choose a machine that is suitable for the size and type of garments you will be printing, as well as the volume of prints you expect to produce.
