How Does Screen Printing Work?
Screen printing is a popular printing method for a variety of materials, including t-shirts, drinkware, and paper products. It’s durable and almost endlessly customizable. But how does screen printing work, exactly? It all comes down to three main elements: the screen, the stencil, and the ink.
The Screen
The screen is made of mesh that is stretched across a frame. The most common type of mesh is polyester, but there are also nylon and steel mesh. The mesh size will determine the amount of detail that can be printed. For example, if you are printing a design with small details, you will need a higher mesh count so that the ink can pass through the smaller spaces in the mesh. A lower mesh count will be less detailed but will allow for more ink to be deposited on the substrate, resulting in a darker print.
The Stencil
The stencil is similar to a negative of your design. It is used to block out areas of the screen so that ink cannot pass through. Stencils can be made from paper, foil, plastic, or even photo-sensitive emulsion. The most common type of stencil for screen printing is photo-emulsion because it provides the highest level of detail and can be reused multiple times.
Once screens and stencils have been created for your design, they can be reused multiple times! Most screen printers will keep them in storage so they don’t have to be re-created at an additional cost for future orders.
The Ink
Screen printing inks are different from other types of inks because they are thicker and can adhere to various surfaces. There are water-based inks and plastisol inks. Water-based inks are thinner and cure by evaporating, while plastisol inks are thicker and cure by chemical reaction. Our industry partners are experts at selecting the right kind of ink for your project! Inks can be custom-mixed to match your exact brand colors for the ultimate imprint impact.
If your project has multiple colors, then each is applied one at a time. This requires multiple screens and batches of ink to be created, which can impact the overall cost to create your order. If cost is a concern, then we can definitely help! Our team will work with you to identify or design a version of your logo using a single color to help cut down on production costs. We can also identify other imprint methods that may be better suited for your project or design like embroidery, sublimation, or laser etch. We’ll always keep your budget, audience, and branding in mind when we make a suggestion for your order.
Try Screen Printing Today!
Now that you know how screen printing works, you can appreciate all those amazing designs on t-shirts, coffee mugs, and more. Screen printing is a versatile printing technique that can be used on many different substrates to create long lasting designs. When choosing your next promotional product, keep screen printing in mind for high quality prints that will make your brand look its best. Ready to get started? Let us know!