This makes screen printing very cost-effective for large print runs, especially as the image reproductions are amazing. Using this method, each screen can only be used for one colour, although it can be used more than once. This prints it onto the fabric below, where the gaps in the stencil are. A squeegee is then used to pull the ink across the screen, which pushes the ink through the stencil. Ink is added to the top of the screen-stencil-sandwich. The stencil is then placed on top of a mesh screen, which will have the fabric underneath it. The hardened bits would be the parts that are left unprinted. The spaces were the parts that you wanted the design. Think back to when you were a child, and you could get those alphabet stencils you coloured in the gaps. You harden the stencil in the areas that you don’t want your design to appear. This is done using an acetate sheet and emulsion. The screen printing process relies on that stencil, first and foremost, to actually create your design.Ī stencil is created of the design that you want to print. However, when working out how to screen print shirts professionally, trust us, they are exactly the right ones. When trying to answer the question of how does screen printing work, a stencil, some nylon mesh and a squeegee don’t necessarily seem like the best tools for the job. So, what is screen printing, exactly? How is it done? Well, read on to find out more. These can be weighed up to see if it is the best method for you. As with all printing methods, it has its pros and cons. They require mixing and cure faster than diazo emulsions, but not as quickly as SBQ-based emulsions.Screen printing – also known as silkscreen – is arguably one of the most common processes used in the textile industry. Dual-cure emulsions are versatile and create very durable stencils. As a result, they are not as well suited to waterbased inks.ĭual-cure emulsions combine diazo and photopolymer emulsions. Pure photopolymer emulsions have long shelf lives, but most are not very water-resistant. These emulsions tends to create a thinner stencil, but multiple coats can be layered if a thicker stencil is required. The more delicate bonds created make them a good choice for detailed work. They are pre-sensitized, meaning that they are ready to use right out of the package with no mixing or other preparation required. SBQ-based or photopolymer emulsions expose within seconds, making them much faster than diazo emulsions. Once mixed, diazo emulsions will last a few months on the shelf. The resulting stencil tends to be thicker, making diazo emulsions a poor choice for detailed prints or prints that require halftones. However, diazo emulsions are less sensitive to light than other types of emulsions and require longer exposure times. Diazo emulsions change color during exposure, letting you know visually the degree to which your stencil is exposed. They require the manual mixing of photosensitizer with resins. The three main types of emulsions are diazo, SBQ-based or photopolymer, and dial cure.ĭiazo emulsions are a good choice for novice screen printers because they are affordable and easy to use. Ideal for beginners and great for busy artists, these all-inclusive kits make it easier to produce multiple copies of the same design. Shop for screen printing supplies and screen printing equipment such as inks, frames, screens, and machines, plus screen printing chemicals, apparel and other items to decorate, and screen printing kits. The resulting print is then dried or heat-set to cure the inks and set the design.īlick has everything you need for your next screen printing project. A squeegee is used to push the ink through the mesh screen one color at a time. For both photographic and non-photographic screen printing methods, one screen is required for each color being printed, and the screens must line up precisely to produce an accurate, cohesive design. Our Guide to Screen Printing Stencils provides more information on the three types of stencils used in screen printing. Screen printing is a technique that employs ink and mesh stencils to create vibrant designs on a wide range of surfaces and textiles.
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