When it comes to printing on a variety of different surfaces, there are many methods available. One popular option is screen printing, a technique that uses a mesh to transfer ink onto the surface of a product, such as a T-shirt or piece of paper. While digital printing has a number of advantages, screen printing still offers some unique capabilities that make it an ideal choice for certain projects.
While there are a number of different ways to create a stencil, this method is typically used for a more detailed print job. It involves putting a layer of light-sensitive material on the mesh screen, which then allows ink to pass through the open parts of the stencil when the screen is exposed to light. This is also known as photo-reactive screen printing.
The process of creating a photo-reactive stencil starts with selecting a stencil design that will be used on the final printed item. This design is then printed on a sheet of transparent acetate, which is then placed over the mesh screen. The screen is then coated with either Diazo or SBQ emulsion. Diazo is cheaper, but it requires a longer exposure time and is not suitable for detailed work. SBQ emulsion, on the other hand, is more expensive but can be cured much faster and can be used for a wide range of print applications.
After the emulsion has spent a set amount of time under the light, it is washed off to remove any unhardened areas. The screen can then be ready to use, although it may need a final touch-up or two. This is called dehazing, and it removes any ghost images left behind in the screen. Ghost images are faint outlines of previous prints that remain in the knuckles of the mesh and can cause problems when printing multiple colors on a single item.
Once the screens are ready for printing, they can be loaded onto a commercial printer. The item being printed is then positioned under the mesh, and ink is pumped through the open mesh apertures using a blade or squeegee. This wets the substrate, but is pulled out of the open mesh apertures by capillary action as the blade passes over the screen. The screen is then rinsed, and the item is allowed to dry. Unlike digital printing, which can print multiple items at once, screen printing is best suited for printing small runs of products, and can be used for all kinds of substrates, from fabric to paper and glass.
Despite its slow deposition compared to digital printing, screen printing is highly efficient for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is extremely cost effective for large print runs, and can even be cheaper than digital printing for smaller runs. Secondly, it is the only print technique that can produce high-build fully patterned printing/coatings and is therefore the perfect choice for applications such as textured wallpapers. In addition, the fact that it is easy to produce multiple copies of a design makes it a popular choice for t-shirts and other garments.
A good Orlando print shop should be able to help you reduce costs by offering customized solutions, such as personalization capabilities that can significantly boost the ROI of your direct mail campaigns. They can also provide CASS address verification services that can enhance the accuracy of your mailing list and ensure that all your mailers reach their intended recipients. They can also help you minimize waste by tracking and analyzing your stock management and distribution systems, which will save you both time and money in the long run.