Printing & Embroidery

The Basics of Screen Printing

The process of screen printing involves the combination of stencil and ink on a flat surface. The job will not be put on the print schedule until the artwork is approved and passed to the screen department. After the design is approved, the stencil is passed to the screen department and the screen printing process can begin. The printing process is simple and involves the use of stencils and ink to create unique designs. This process is popular with both small businesses and creative types, but it requires some basic understanding of the processes involved.

Ink + screen = screen printing

When we talk about screen printing, what are the two most common inks used? Plastisol inks are the most common in the United States. They’re both easy to mix and durable, providing crisp graphic detail. Both are made from PVC plastics and are resistant to washes. They also can be heat-cured to produce the most vibrant prints. Plastisol ink sits on the screen for a long time without drying, making it a popular choice for many people in the industry.

Ink is applied to the screen in layers, with separate screens used for each layer. The screens are aligned carefully and the printmaker must use separate stencils for each color. The resulting impression follows the direction of the matrix. To ensure proper registration, the screen must be washed after the proper time period. Once the emulsion is removed, a clear imprint is left on the substrate. Screen printing is a process that uses multiple colors in a single print.

Ink + stencil = stencil

To begin screen printing, lay out a t-shirt or other surface on which to print the stencil. Position the stencil on the fabric, placing its ink-well side upward. Place your stencil over the fabric, ensuring that it is sandwiched between the mesh and fabric. Before pulling the ink-filled stencil through the mesh, place a piece of cardboard or plastic sheeting between the front and back sides of the t-shirt. This will prevent the inks from seeping through the stencil.

There are two main methods for making stencils for screen printing: block-out and tusche. Block-out stencils need a screen filler and drawing fluid. Emulsion stencils require more intricate photographic images. When printing, be sure to choose the right spray adhesive. If the adhesive is not repositionable, you will have to start over with a new stencil and waste hundreds of dollars on ink. For a temporary solution, masking tape can be used to hold the stencil in place.

Ink + screen = stencil

A stencil is a design which is created by blocking off portions of the screen that correspond to the colours of the design. These spaces will be where the ink will appear on the substrate. The process of creating stencils involves applying a layer of black acrylic paint onto a semi-transparent screen. After this has dried, the stencil will stick to the screen securely. The stencil can be fixed to the screen using an iron, if necessary.

The process starts by laying the screen onto a printing board. A layer of ink is then placed on the top end of the screen. The ink is then pushed through the stencil openings with a squeegee. This process is repeated for each item. After the printing process is complete, the mesh of the stencil is washed away with a special washing fluid to remove the emulsion. The stencil mesh can then be used again to create a new stencil. To find out more visit https://www.orlandoembroideryandprinting.com/.