What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a woven mesh to support an ink-blocking stencil. The stencil forms open areas of mesh that transfer ink or other printable materials, which can be pressed through the mesh as a sharp-edged image onto a substrate. A roller or squeegee is moved across the screen stencil, forcing or pumping ink through the mesh openings to wet the substrate during the squeegee stroke. Screen printing is also known as serigraphy, and is commonly used in the production of posters, textiles, signage, and other products.
What You Need to Know Before You Begin
Before you begin screen printing, you should familiarize yourself with the materials and equipment you will need. You will need a screen frame, a squeegee, emulsion, a light source, a transparency film, screen filler, a screen press, ink, and a substrate. You should also become familiar with the various techniques for preparing the screen for printing and for transferring the image onto the screen.
Preparing the Screen
The first step in screen printing is to prepare the screen. This involves attaching the screen to the frame, coating it with emulsion, and drying it. Once the emulsion is dry, a positive image of the design is placed on the screen and exposed with a light source. The light source will harden the emulsion that is exposed, while the unexposed areas will remain soft. The screen is then washed with water, which will remove the soft emulsion, leaving a stencil of the design.
Transferring the Image to the Screen
The next step is to transfer the image onto the screen. This is done by creating a transparency film of the design and then exposing it to a light source. The light source will harden the emulsion that is exposed, while the unexposed areas will remain soft. The screen is then washed with water, which will remove the soft emulsion, leaving a stencil of the design.
Filling the Screen With Ink
Once the screen has been prepared, it is time to fill the screen with ink. This is done by using a squeegee to pull the ink across the screen. The squeegee should be pulled in a single, smooth stroke, starting at the top of the screen and moving across the design. This will ensure that the ink is spread evenly and that it adheres to the substrate.
Printing the Design
Once the screen is filled with ink, it is time to print the design. This is done by placing the substrate underneath the screen and pressing down on the screen with a screen press. The screen press will push the ink through the mesh of the screen, leaving behind an image of the design. The screen press should be pressed in a single, smooth motion, starting at the top and moving across the design. This will ensure that the ink is spread evenly and that it adheres to the substrate.
Removing the Screen
Once the design has been printed, it is time to remove the screen. This is done by carefully lifting the screen off of the substrate. The screen should be lifted straight up and away from the substrate, making sure not to touch the substrate with the squeegee or any other object. Once the screen has been removed, it should be cleaned with water and stored away for future use.
Finishing the Print
The last step in screen printing is to finish the print. This can be done by using a heat press or a curing machine to dry the ink. If a heat press is used, the substrate should be placed on the press and heated until the ink is dry. If a curing machine is used, the substrate should be placed in the machine and heated until the ink is dry.
Conclusion
Screen printing is a great way to create custom prints and designs. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily create beautiful prints with professional-looking results. With a few tools and a bit of practice, you can become a master screen printer in no time.
