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What is Screen Printing?

L. S. Wynn
L. S. Wynn
L. S. Wynn
L. S. Wynn

Screen printing or silk screening is a printing technique particularly suited for flat or relatively flat surfaces. The heart of the process involves a fine mesh or screen that is tightly stretched around a rigid frame. The areas that are not to be printed are masked out on the screen, and to create the print, the framed screen is positioned over the item to be printed, along with a dollop of thick ink. A squeegee is then used to press the ink through the screen.

The masked areas prevent ink from passing through, but the unmasked areas allow the ink to be imprinted on the material. The item is then sent on a conveyor belt through a heat-tunnel. This curing process ensures that the inks dry quickly so that they materials can be stacked or packaged. Properly cured inks will remain on the printed substrate even under harsh conditions.

The operator uses a squeegee to press ink through to the material in screen printing.
The operator uses a squeegee to press ink through to the material in screen printing.

If more colors are desired in the final design, the process is repeated with different screens. A design that requires four different colors would, therefore, require four different screens. The screens are usually placed on a rotary press that allows the different color prints to be properly aligned or registered with each other. Some screen-printers have fully automatic presses that do not require any manual labor other than set-up and loading/unloading.

There are a variety of ways that the screen can be masked. The most straightforward way is to apply masking fluid directly on the screen. This technique is suitable for simple one or two color graphics but is ineffective for more complex prints. For multicolor jobs, screen-printers often use photosensitive emulsions. First, the design is created on a clear piece of plastic film. A photosensitive coating is applied to the entire surface of the screen and then dried. The film is placed on the prepared screen and they are exposed to bright light. After a period of time, the exposed areas can be washed off the screen with water, which makes the screen ready to print.

screen printing frame with emulsion and squeegee

Screen printing is most commonly used for t-shirts, garments and other fabrics, but it is also used on all sorts of other substrates ranging from plastic to metal. Although small and intricate details can be captured, this technique is ideally suited for bold and graphic designs.

When a design is going to be printed on darker items, a base print may be required to ensure that the colors maintain their vivacity. A base color (usually white) is applied wherever the final print is desired; it is then flash-cured and the subsequent colors are printed on top. This flash-curing technique adds another step to the process, but ensures strong prints on on dark or even black materials.

The photo above shows the most basic components of a single color screen printing setup. The screen is tightly stretched around the frame, which in this case is made out of wood; the blue emulsion is dried on the screen and serves as the mask. The squeegee is nothing more than a strip of rigid rubber mounted in a wooden handle.

To begin the printing process, the operator positions the screen directly on top the item to be printed. Next, ink is be applied to the area directly above the unmasked logo, and the squeegee is used to press the ink through to the substrate. As the operator firmly presses down with the squeegee, it is slid along the surface to ensure that ink penetrates through all areas of the unmasked logo. If additional colors are required, the process is repeated with additional screens. When finished, the screen is removed and the printed item is ready for curing.

Discussion Comments

anon969251

What paint or ink do we used for screen printing?

elite

Screen printing can be a fairly inexpensive process. If you are wanting to do it professionally it will require an investment to buy the proper equipment. Once you are set up with your equipment, it isn't that expensive for supplies.

anon44123

You can screen print about anything. Now, having said that, the more detailed the design the more complicated the color breakdown and screen burning process. You can do simple single color design easily and with little expense.

anon18822

Is Screen printing an expensive Process?

anon15276

(1) Why are screen printed inks and colors considered attractive?

(2) What type of artwork is difficult to screen print?

(3) If a distributor called and asked for recommendations for a decal that could stand up to some rough wear why would you suggest a screen printed decal?

anon6438

can i print the word to a song on a piece of paper from my computer in the writing that i want and then take it in to a silk screening store and have them then transfer that onto my fabric....is that what silk screening is?

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    • The operator uses a squeegee to press ink through to the material in screen printing.
      By: burnel11
      The operator uses a squeegee to press ink through to the material in screen printing.