Articles

Types of Screen Printing Method

by Alice Smith Professional Writer

What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing, or what is popularly also known as silk screening is a method of applying images on a material. This material can be anything from a mug to a t-shirt. The process is quite simple and can even be performed at home. Hire reliable screen printing Victoria services.


What Does the Process Involve?

The basic idea behind screen printing is to use a wire to create a mesh or stencil. The open area is the one which is stenciled, while the other area remains covered with a non-porous material. You lay the mesh over the material on which screen printing is to be done and then squeeze the ink through the open area. This prints the image on the substrate.


There are several types of screen printing. This process of creating a mesh or stencil remains the same throughout any type of screen printing. The major difference lies in the type of ink used and the effects of these types of ink render. Make the most of professional screen printing Victoria services.

  • Spot Color Printing

This is one of the most popular types of screen printing. You don't need to make any adjustments, and the image is printed on the substrate via a stencil. Spot color printing produces a dynamic color spot and is usually the most affordable way of printing. When you are printing 3-4 colors, this technique proves to be quite effective.

  • Half-Tone Printing

When you want to print one or several other colors in gradient, you prefer using this printing method. The method basically involves employing a single color to produce more than one color. The tone of the printing can then vary from that of halftone to that of a solid spot. If you are looking forward to creating a multicolor effect without actually using different colors, this is the best technique. 

  • Duotone Printing

Duotone printing involves the blending of two halftones of the same design, but here they are printed in two different colors. It works by combining the two colors and giving the final he somewhat like the second color's halftone.

  • Colour Printing

Colour printing is the most complicated of all the screen printing methods. Although color printing can be accomplished using manual presses, you get the best results when you use an automatic press. The entire color image of the picture is broken into the four main constituent colours, and these colors are then recombined to get the original image.


Screen Printing Methods are also Classified Based on the Type of Ink Used. 

  • Plastisol

This is one of the most commonly used inks in screen printing. Plastisol is basically a suspension of PVC particles which is also known as a plasticizer. This is generally used as a chemical additive to increase the flexibility of any material. With the use of plastisol, you might get a good image quality, but it will give you plastic-like feeling.


  • Discharge Inks

It is a water-based product which works by deactivating the normal dyes used on any fabric. If you have t-shirts of soft colors, they are made by discharge ink screen printing. This method can also be used to print light colors over dark colored garments.


  • Flocking

Flocking is used when you want to provide a 3D look to your printing. It is also called flock printing and has served as a great alternative to embroidery. Flock printing uses a versatile material that sticks to the garment giving it a velvet kind of feel. Materials like nylon, rayon, and polyester are used to create flock fibers.


  • Water-Based Ink

When you want to achieve softer prints, you employ water-based inks for screen printing. These inks are better able to penetrate the fabric giving it softer hues.


How to Choose a Particular Screen Printing Method?

The method of screen printing that you choose to employ will have a great effect on the quality of printing. Therefore you should choose the method wisely taking into account the following things.

Run Length - What is the number of copies you want to print. This is important because some methods are can have high initial costs, but are economical in the long run.

Substrate or Material -  The material that you will be printing on plays a crucial role in deciding the type of screen printing method. You have to be extra careful when you are using paper or glass.

Design - The design that you are looking forward to also plays a crucial role in deciding the screen printing method because a lot of things depend on the color and pattern of the design.

Budget - Different printing methods have different costs associated with them. So choose the one that fits into your budget.


Conclusion

Screen printing has been like this for years now, and it will continue to be the same in the coming time, with little advancements here and there. Get reliable banners Victoria services.


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About Alice Smith Freshman   Professional Writer

11 connections, 0 recommendations, 38 honor points.
Joined APSense since, March 28th, 2019, From Aptos, United States.

Created on Apr 16th 2019 02:21. Viewed 806 times.

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