Printing is a process of producing images and text, ordinarily utilizing ink, paper and a printing press. Over time, printing technology has improved significantly. Various techniques are available, but screen-printing is used most of the time.

Screen printing, also called silk screening, is ideal for printing on flat and even materials. A thin screen is stretched taut around a wooden or metal frame, and ink is pressed through the uncovered areas of the screen to create an image. To create a print, the silk screen is placed on top of your material and the image is covered with a thick ink. The ink is then pressed with a heavy piece of rubber through the image and the screen. The print is created where the ink is pressed through the unmasked areas. A heated tunnel is then used to dry the wet print; the prints can then be stacked and packaged.

When more than one color is involved, the process is repeated, utilizing different screens. So, four screens would be necessary for a four-color print; they can be placed on a rotary press or done by hand, allowing each color to print in its proper place.

There are a number of methods for \’masking\’ a screen. The easiest technique is via application of masking fluid right onto the screen. This is the perfect procedure for dual-color graphics, while for multiple-color tasks, a photosensitive emulsion is the proper procedure.

If you are unsure what to request when ordering, remember that a screen printer\’s t-shirt printed with ink with plastics will be hot and tacky afterwards. It might be wise to request water-based inks if you prefer a softer, vintage-look screen printed shirt. But if you are interested in a heavily laid print, you should request ink containing plastics to be applied with a hot press.

A lot of screen printing pros utilize plastic-based inks, since they are gentler on the screen printing gear and are often stronger, more vivid and bold. Inks containing plastic may begin cracking within a brief time. Choosing natural inks creates a more attractive and longer-wearing appearance.

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