The process of screen printing involves the application of a liquid emulsion and a mesh screen. The printer chooses a mesh screen that matches the texture of the print surface. Then, he applies an emulsion to the screen that hardens under bright light. The acetate sheet with the design is then placed on the emulsion-coated mesh. The printing process is complete when the emulsion hardens.
The basic equipment used in screen printing includes a screen and a printing machine. The screen is the most important piece of equipment. The simplest screen consists of a mesh stretched across a wooden or aluminum frame. A stencil image is drawn on the mesh, and certain areas are coated with an ink-blocking substance to prevent the ink from passing through.
After the stencil is placed on the mesh, the printed product is placed under it. The ink is pushed through the areas of the screen that are not blocked by the stencil. This results in an impression that follows the direction of the matrix. The printmaker must use a different stencil for each color and take precautions to ensure proper registration. It is also important to note that the six different types of screen printing each produce different results. For example, there is an emulsion-free method.
Despite the differences between the techniques, screen printing is a popular method for custom clothing printing. Its ease of use and color choices make it an excellent choice for large quantities of garments. With an experienced screen printer, you can even produce intricate, multi-colored designs. Screen printing has many limitations, however. It is not possible to produce as many colors as digital printing does, so screen printing is an ideal solution for custom clothing production.
Screen printing was once limited to a small group of commercial uses, but the Pop Art movement helped bring the technique into the mainstream. It was also widely used in other art movements, including Fluxus. It became a popular medium for many artistic subcultures, including fine art and contemporary textiles. Aside from clothing, screen printing is also widely used on fine art and movie posters.
The process of screen printing uses thicker inks than other printing methods. As a result, the colors will pop more because of the thicker ink. This method is also less expensive because of the higher quantity of prints. It is also better for designs that only use a single or two colors of ink. For more details visit Tacoma printing the best custom print shop in Tacoma.
Screen printing is a fast process and is used to produce hundreds of thousands of items every year. The process involves several stages, including internal preparation and drying. The entire process takes more time than digital printing, so you should be patient when you decide to use this method. Fortunately, you can choose between water-based inks and plastisol inks. The former are more durable and allow for greater color vibrancy. And while water-based inks can be tricky to apply, they can produce incredible results.