Screen printing is a uniquely satisfying thing in a world slowly but surely being overtaken by digital designs and instant gratification. This ancient art, whose origins date back centuries, remains a giant in the realm of bespoke clothes, advertising memorabilia, and even in fine art. So, what is screen printing, and what has made it so popular?
Screen printing is essentially a stenciling technique. It is a process through which a stencil is created on a mesh screen, most commonly polyester or silk. The ink is then forced through the uncovered regions of the stencil onto the substrate (which may be t-shirt, poster, or even a circuit board). Screen printing also makes it possible to have vivid, distinct layers of ink with a separate screen being produced per color of the design.
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing is the process in which ink is forced through a mesh screen (or stencil) to get onto a cloth. Individual screens have individual colors and enable bold, layered designs to be created with remarkable r precision. The result? Durable prints which are less likely to fade, crack or peel off.
What Makes Screen Printing So Popular?
Durability: The screen‑printed designs are resistant to repeated washing, and thus optimal with uniforms, team uniforms, and daily use.
Brilliant Colors: Screen printing inks are very thick and rich, making the colors to be very bright on a light or dark fabric.
Versatility: Screen printing can be applied to cotton t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags and even posters.
Inexpensive in Quantities: Screen printing makes bulk purchases of shirts or items less expensive, and it is best suited to companies or occasions.
Reasons why Screen printing is best:
Bright and Long-Lasting Colours: One of the biggest strengths of screen printing lies in the ability to print opaque layers of ink, making the colours appear to be bright and real.
Flexibility: T-shirts are the most frequent user of screen printing but this technology can be utilized on numerous materials such as hoodies, tote bags, posters, signs, and even some hard surfaces.
Economical in mass printing: After the screens are ready, the actual printing itself is quite swift and economically efficient. This makes screen printing a very economical alternative in larger scale production, which reduces per unit costs heavily.
Distinctive Textural Effects: Screen prints usually have a fine, raised texture that may make it a distinctly physical design when compared to digital prints. This might be specially attractive on high-quality shirts or artistic prints.
Specialty Inks: The inks that can be used with screen printing include specialty inks. Consider glowing in the dark, metallic, puff, or even high density that gives 3D impression. Such specialty inks create a realm of imagination that is more difficult to accomplish in other forms of printing.
The Process (Simplified):
- Artwork Separation: The design is divided into solo color layers.
- Screen Preparation: The screen can be prepared by stencilling each color layer on to a mesh screen, typically using a photo-emulsion technique.
- Printing: The screen is positioned on top of what is to be printed and ink is forced through the stencil using a squeegee.
- Curing: The print is finally passed under a dryer or in a heat press to set the ink permanently.
Although direct-to-garment (DTG) printing now offers advantages on smaller, detailed, multi-color jobs, screen printing is still the most commonly used technique when working on large runs due to its unsurpassed durability, color vibrancy, and cost. It is a testament to a timeless fascination with craftsmanship and a process that actually brings designs to life.
What we make;
We offer quality custom apparel to order and specialize in expert screen printing with many options of printing solutions to print your designs on a t-shirt, hoodie and many more.Whether you’re looking for custom merchandise for your business, team uniforms, or personalized gifts, Tee Prints combines years of experience with state-of-the-art equipment to deliver exceptional results. We work closely with our clients from concept to completion, ensuring your vision is perfectly translated onto fabric with vibrant colors and lasting durability. Get in touch with Tee Prints today to discuss your next custom apparel project!
