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Printing Types
Screen printing
Also known as silk screening, this process forces ink through a screen, like a stencil pattern. Often used for non-flat goods, this method is best equipped to print on items like mugs, clothing, ring binders, bumper stickers or billboards.
Screen printing has been used for centuries and although there have been many improvements with the technology, the process still consists of forcing ink through a stencil covered fabric or wire mesh which has been mounted in a sturdy frame. The ink goes through only the open areas of the stencil and is deposited onto a printing surface positioned below the frame. Screen printing is very versatile and it is often the only printing process capable of handling certain applications.
The equipment costs for screen printing are lower than other printing processes, but the rate of production is usually slower. Manual screen printing can be accomplished with only a few simple items: a sturdy frame, screen fabric, stencils, squeegees, and ink. Automatic press equipment is available which greatly speeds up the process, but it is no match for the output delivered by press equipment used for other print processes.
Screen printing can be performed on almost any type of material including paper, glass, fabric, plastic, wood, and metal. Products as varied as signs, posters, circuit boards, mugs, clothing, and soft drink bottles can be printed using the process. Screen printing is very useful when an image needs to be wrapped around an object or when images need to be printed onto oddly shaped manufactured objects.
