What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is a printing technique that involves pressing ink through a stencil, or “screen,” to create an image on paper, fabric, metal or glass.

Take a look at your t-shirt. It is likely that the image on your t-shirt was created through screen printing. Ever wonder how it got from computer and design to the item of clothing on your back?

A Brief History

Screen printing is one of the earliest methods of printing. It was first used by the Chinese and then adopted by the Japanese to earn the name it’s known for – silk screening or silk screen printing. This is due to the woven silk the Japanese used for the mesh, or “screen,” in the printing process. Since then industrial screen printers have revolutionized the print industry, but all require the same basic equipment that the Chinese and Japanese used: the screen, frame, squeegee, machine base, textile to be printed on and, of course, ink.

There are many applications of screen printing, but most common are on smooth, non-porous textiles, such as metal, glass, paper and t-shirt material.

The Screen Printing Process

1. Create the artwork in vector file format.
2. Transform the artwork into a film positive.
3. Choose a screen. Different screens are used for different ink colors and detail in the image or artwork.
4. Place the film positive on the substrate side of the screen.
5. Mount the screen.
6. Place the substrate to be printed on beneath.
7. Apply ink by flooding screen and squeegeeing downward.
8. Allow ink to dry.

The Benefits

Screen printing offers more vibrancy in the coloring on dark shirts. The ink is thicker than in digital printing. The printer can also print on curved and uneven surfaces, such as coffee mugs or water bottles.  It also has the ability to print on a large scale, has a wide range of utility and is a quick process.

Curious to see what Alexander’s can do for you and your business? Call our office at 801-224-8666 or fill out the contact form below. Talk to you soon!