The basic process of screen printing is still the same today. A stencil is mounted on the bottom of a fine mesh screen stretched over a wooden frame. A viscous ink is applied to the screen, and glue is applied to the non-printing areas beyond the stencil. The ink is then pulled through the screen with a squeegee. As a result, the design is transferred to the printed material. Screen printing is no longer the sole means of making prints, though it can compete with offset lithography and gravure.
Screen printing takes much longer than digital printing because it involves a lot of internal prep work. It requires a high level of skill and is a highly labor-intensive process. In fact, it may be the best option for small-scale, simple designs. However, if you plan to produce high-quality, long-lasting custom clothing with a wide range of colors, screen printing is the best option for you. If you’re not sure if screen printing is the right method for your project, check out Tacoma Printing.
To begin screen printing, you must make a stencil. You can make a stencil yourself by drawing a design on paper and cutting it out with a sharp blade. Next, you’ll need screen printing ink. Screen printing ink is readily available in art supply stores. You can purchase ink in both liquid and solid form. Once you’ve purchased ink, you’ll need to mix a small amount of water with it to make a thin paste. Then, you’ll need to evenly spread the ink across the stencil’s surface with a consistent pressure and speed.
The history of screen printing can be traced to the Song Dynasty. It first developed in China and Japan, and it made its way to Europe in the eighteenth century, when silk became more affordable. Screen-printing has since become an extremely popular way of printing fabrics. It has a long history and has helped to change the face of advertising. You can learn more about the history of this unique art form. You can even explore the history of screen printing and its impact on the advertising industry.
In contrast to digital printing, screen printing is a more affordable and versatile option for large-scale custom garments. The process is also very efficient, as the same stencil can be used for multiple printings of the same design. Screen printing is also more flexible than digital printing, as it can print on different types of fabric. Unlike digital printing, screen printing can be used on any material except polyester or moisture-wicking fabric. The only drawback of this process is that it cannot print on fluorescent colors, but that doesn’t mean screen-printing can’t be used on any fabric.
Despite its low cost, screen-printing is still a popular technique for graphic t-shirts. The ink is transferred onto a flat surface by means of a mesh screen. A stencil is sometimes used in combination with a blocking stencil to prevent the ink from being transferred to the surface below. The screen is then pushed through the mesh, one color at a time, until it is completely saturated. The resulting image is a vibrant, tactile, and durable one.