Screen Printing

Screen-printing is previously known as Silk screen-printing because the first mesh or screen was made of natural silk.  Today the  mesh or screen is made from polyester or stainless steel.

The basic method of screen-printing has not changed since its inception.  It is where a stencil is placed on the screen and ink is forced through the screen onto the item being printed.  Different stencils are used for each colour.

Today the process is much more precise and sophisticated using computers and photographic equipment.

The Stencil and mesh are one structure today, which consists of a frame onto which the mesh is attached.  The mesh is coated with a photosensitive material.  The image to be printed is created on the computer and photographically transferred to the mesh. This process leaves open areas on the mesh through which the ink can pass.  Because it is computer generated the images on separate screens can be exact and colour placement is very accurate.

Ink is placed on top of the screen and the Squeegee (a flexible rubber strip held in a handle) pulls the ink across the screen.  The ink flows through the open areas of the mesh on to the substrate (item being printed).

A separate screen must be used for each colour in the process.  It is also important for the item to dry between printings so that there is no smearing or mixing of colours.

The print is then fully set by putting the printed item through a drying machine.   If the item is washable this ensures that the ink does not “run” during the washing process.

It is vital that a reputable screen-printer is used as the quality and longevity of the print on the item is based on what inks they use and how they set them.  A quality printer understands the individual needs of each item and what its end use will be, and chooses the correct ink and fixing methods.