Screen printing
Screen printing technology – a technique where ink is applied through a stencil onto the printed material; this basic principle of screen printing has remained virtually the same for centuries. However, what has undergone dynamic development, especially in the twentieth century, are printing matrices, printing inks, and most notably, screen printing machines.
Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a mesh in a frame to transfer ink onto an object. The ink is placed on the mesh and then pressed through it onto the product, but only in areas where the print is intended to be. Only one color is printed in a single pass, so several screens must be used to create a multi-colored image or logo. After printing, the product is placed in a drying tunnel to cure the ink on the item.
In 360 rotary screen printing, the same technique is applied to a cylindrical object. The object is rotated during the printing process, resulting in a circular screen print.
About Screen Printing
Materials Suitable for Screen Printing
- Cotton and blends – the most common textiles for high-quality and durable printing.
- Polyester and functional textiles – possible, with the selection of appropriate inks and procedures (due to dye migration).
- Paper and cardboard – posters, packaging, POS materials.
- Plastics and boards – PVC, PP, PET, or other substrates depending on the application.
Processing and Execution Options
- Single-color and multi-color printing – each color is a separate layer, ensuring high durability of the result.
- Large area printing – suitable for simple motifs and solid colors.
- Mass production – ideal technology for medium and large runs of the same motif.
- Color mixing according to swatches (if offered) – unification of corporate identity.
Why Choose Screen Printing
- High durability and long life – the print is strong, stable, and suitable for frequent use.
- Excellent coverage and saturation – great for solid colors and printing on dark substrates.
- Economical for higher volumes – the larger the series, the more advantageous the price per piece.
- Special inks and effects – options that other technologies often cannot provide or are significantly more expensive.
Printing Matrix
Today, the printing matrix most often takes the form of an aluminum frame with a special fabric stretched over it, known as mesh. The quality of this permeable mesh determines the use of the matrix for printing on specific materials; thus, we have many types of matrices for various materials. A printing matrix for screen printing is not permanent; the customer only pays for the exposure of their motif using a light-sensitive emulsion on the matrix, which is used repeatedly and has a much higher value than what is charged for the mere production of the motif on it. The lifespan of the motif depends on the type of matrix and is in the range of several thousand prints, or in the case of agreed storage for reprinting, in the range of months.
Screen Printing Inks
Printing inks are classified by their curing method or chemical nature, such as water-based, alcohol-based, solvent-based, plastisol, sublimation, two-component, and UV inks. Their use is always tied to a specific printing application, the type of material being printed, and the requirements of the client.
Screen Printing Machines
Screen printing machines undergo development to achieve the best possible printing results and labor productivity. Again, it is the materials that predetermine the screen printing technique. For absorbent textile substrates, modern carousel screen printing machines have been developed; these apply all necessary design colors in a single placement of the material on the moving print table. Non-absorbent materials, however, require the existing print to dry before each subsequent printing color is applied, so they are printed on single-position machines and are removed from the print table after each print to have the inks dried in a drying tunnel. Continuous lines can be assembled from such equipment. Cylindrical surfaces must be printed using rotary screen printing, which exists in many forms, from simple manual tables to sophisticated lines for large volumes.
Our Products
A wide range of printing products for your screen printing business
- Printing on T-shirts, hoodies, and polo shirts – durable printing for corporate clothing, merchandising, and team collections.
- Workwear – printing of logos and markings on clothing for operations and services (depending on material and placement).
- Sportswear – printing of club motifs and simple graphics in higher volumes.
References
View some of our projects