Screen Printing Equipment

Screen printing techniques primarily require a fineframes. Amateurs may consider using clamps or
mesh or screen securely stretched around a stifftapes to hold the article to be printed, in place. While
casing. Segments that are not to be printed areusing a photosensitive indirect screen printing film,
blocked on the screen. To create a print, the screentabletop printers or garment printing machines have
is placed on a piece of dry paper or fabric and ink isto be used.
placed on top of it. A rubber blade is used to spreadOnce the printing process is completed, it is important
ink consistently across the screen. The ink passesto cure the ink. For this, a textile dryer, flash dryer
through the open spaces in the screen onto theand a drying board is required. After the printing
paper or fabric below after which the screen isprocess is completed, a fabric cleaning brush is used
removed. This method is usually used for flat orto clean the screen. In some cases, a fast screen
moderately flat surface printing.wash may be needed to remove ink stains. Instant
This process is a combination of preparation,screen openers may also be sprayed on a dry area
installation and orientation. In the initial stages, oneof the screen to dissolve the inks and open the
needs to use cutting tools to create a design. Thesemesh after two or three ink coats.
include art knives, scooping knives, multiple blades andIn order to observe the minute details of screen
scalpels. One can use these to create a design on aprinting, flash bulbs are used. Equipments may be
monofilament or multifilament nylon or polyesterpurchased as needed or a screen printing kit
surface or a photosensitive indirect screen printingcontaining all the necessary items can be purchased.
film. One needs to have a collection of screen printingUntil an amateur artist gains a better understanding
inks. With the help of blotting pens, an artist mayof the process, one may use ready-to-use stencils or
block the parts that are not to be printed.designs in the initial stages. Kits often come with
The next step involves spreading the ink withmanuals, which are indispensable guides for beginners
spatulas, rubber blades or squeegees. After this stepand advanced users alike.
is completed, the artist needs to use screen printing