Rising to popularity back in the 18th century, screen printing is at the centre of most high-volume printing operations today. Back in the day, silk mesh, a prime component of screen printing, could be easily imported. Gradually, in the 19th century, screen printing came to be associated with the advertising world. Today, it is widely used across industries because of its several beneficial features, easy customisation being the most preferred one.
While screen printing can be manual, automated screen printing is way ahead in terms of using advanced inks and materials, mass printing, and integration of state-of-the-art technology. The best thing about screen printing is that it works effectively on all kinds of surfaces, including paper, glass, wood, fabric, plastic and leather. Let’s discuss all about screen printing in Auckland, its process and its benefits.
What is Screen Printing?
Often referred to as silk screening or silk screen printing, it involves transferring a stencilled design to a surface using a mesh screen, ink and a squeegee or rubber blade. After the stencil is created on the mesh screen, the ink is pushed to create and imprint the design on the surface. This surface is usually made of fabric and paper but can be made of plastic, wood, and metal as well. Among the several good things about the screen printing process, the wide choice of colours stands out.
How Does Screen Printing Work?
Manual or automatic, the basic process of screen printing remains the same. The outcome varies based on the surface type, the type of ink and the effect it renders.
Step 1 is creating the design. Once you have selected the design, it has to be printed on a transparent acetate film. This is then used to create the stencil or screen.
Step 2 is about selecting and preparing the screen. It is also the time to decide the mesh count, which is the total number of fibers in one square inch. Remember that for printing finer details, choose a higher mesh count. With lower mesh counts, the screens let the ink flow because of wider openings, missing out the finer prints.
In this step, the mesh screen is coated with a light-reactive emulsion layer, too. There are three types of emulsion. Diazo, SBQ-based and dual-cure emulsions. Diazo is cheaper but not suitable for minute prints and requires longer exposure. SBQ-based emulsions are expensive and ideal for detailed work. They need no mixing and cure fast. The dual-cure emulsions are combinations of the other two varieties, are cheaper than SBQ, and require mixing and average cure time.
Step 3 calls for exposing the emulsion. Under bright light, the transparent acetate film is placed on the emulsion-coated mesh screen. Carefully done, it hardens and develops the emulsion. Separate screens must be used for different colours.
Step 4 involves creating the stencil. When the screen is exposed for a certain period, some of the emulsion is hardened, and the rest is rinsed away, leaving a clear imprint on the screen. After this, the screen is dried and touched up as required by the printer to make it as close to the original design as possible. This gets the stencil ready for use.
Step 5 is about making things print-ready by placing the material to be printed flat on the printing board and the screen right on top of it.
Step 6 entails applying the design. Accordingly, the screen is brought down to the printing board, and the chosen colour ink is added to the screen’s top. The ink is evenly distributed along the length of the screen with a squeegee. Pressing through the stencil’s open areas and transferring on the underlying silk, the ink prints the design on the product.
Once done, the emulsion is removed from the mesh using a special washing fluid so as to use it further for new stencil creation.
Step 7, the last one, completes the process by heat-curing the printed product through a dryer. The result is a smooth design that doesn’t fade away.
The Benefits of Screen Printing
Screen printing is a versatile and efficient printing method that offers numerous benefits. Here’s why it’s a popular choice for many businesses:
1. Versatility
Screen printing can be used on various surfaces, including fabrics, plastics, wood, glass, and metal. Virtually any design can be printed using screen printing, allowing for creative freedom.
2. Durability
Screen printing applies a thick ink layer, resulting in durable prints that resist fading, scratching, and moisture. Screen-printed products can withstand harsh outdoor conditions due to their durability.
3. Vibrant Colours
Screen printing produces exceptionally vibrant and bold colours that are difficult to replicate with other methods. Separate layers are used for multi-colour designs, ensuring each colour maintains its brilliance.
4. Cost-Effectiveness
Once the setup is complete, screen printing is a quick and efficient process, especially for large quantities. The more you print, the lower the cost per unit becomes.
5. Exceptional Speed
Screen printing is ideal for quickly producing large quantities of the same design. The process is straightforward, whether automated or manual.
6. Easy Setup and Maintenance
Screen printing requires minimal and affordable equipment. The process is relatively easy to learn and execute, as well.
Wrapping Up
Screen printing is a technique that is here to stay. At Upper, we excel in custom screen printing to decorate your garments. Good quality prints that last a garment’s lifetime and printing economically in high volumes are what we promise.