| In the earlier days, silk was utilized as a screen for | | | | The screen or fine mesh is fixed firmly on a stand. |
| this conventional printing form. Therefore, the term | | | | Then the stencil is carved out that depicts a |
| "silk screen" came to be associated with screen | | | | particular pattern or design. This screen is fixed over |
| printing. In the world of graphics, it is frequently | | | | the fabric or material to be printed. There is a fill bar |
| referred as Serigraphy. After silk, polymer meshes | | | | which is used to fill ink into the stencil. The screen |
| were adopted in its place. With the development in | | | | doesn't come in direct contact with the substrate. |
| printing technology and printing machines numerous | | | | Then the screen is slid down slowly to conclude the |
| advancements has taken place in the printing industry. | | | | infilling procedure which is steadied by capillary action. |
| And this applies to printing application in various | | | | The movement is stabilized by the squeegee. Finally, |
| industries like graphics, fabrics, etc. | | | | the screen is moved up by the squeegee leaving |
| What are the equipments used for screen printing? | | | | behind the design created by the ink. |
| Initially, the screen has to be finalized and mounted | | | | Cylinder, Flat-bed and Rotary are the three different |
| on an aluminum or wooden frame. Then the stencil is | | | | varieties of press mainly utilized for screen printing |
| engraved on the screen to get the desired design. | | | | purpose. Among these, Rotary is the most famous |
| Depending on what is to be printed, the type of the | | | | one. |
| ink has to be decided upon. The material to be | | | | Same screen can be used again for printing similar |
| printed upon also matters when you are selecting the | | | | designs using different inks and material. However, |
| ink and designing pattern. | | | | for creating a different design, the entire screen has |
| In order to control the movement of the mesh, a | | | | to be reclaimed. You have to change the stencil by |
| rubber blade squeegee is fixed alongside. The material | | | | using liquid or powdered stencil removers. |
| is held firmly by the machine base so that the screen | | | | Stenciling is normally done by using photo emulsion |
| produces the print without any disturbance. | | | | technique which is a well established technique since |
| Applications of screen printing | | | | the past 50years or more. Different types of inks |
| The material on which the printing work is done could | | | | are used for creating different designs with beautiful |
| be made of silk, cotton, paper, polyester, plastic, | | | | effects. Design pattern and flexibility depends on the |
| glass, metal etc. screen printing is used for printing on | | | | material being used. |
| fabrics, posters, CD covers, t-shirts, snow board | | | | Plastisol is one of the most common inks used in |
| graphics, medical products, electronics etc. Screen | | | | screen printing. It gives a more durability and a |
| printing can be customized to suit various marketing | | | | beautifully plasticized texture. By enhancing the ink |
| and advertisement printing needs. | | | | we can improve the quality of the print to a great |
| Technique used for screen printing | | | | extent, thus producing superior quality printouts. |