What is screen printing?

Screen printing has been around for centuries, and surprisingly, the process has not changed much since its earliest origins. Its longevity is due to its simplicity and versatility. You can find examples of screen printing in all industries, from screen printing of conductive metals on circuit boards and computer parts, CD labels, skateboard decks, posters, artwork, and of course T-shirt and clothing printing!

Screen printing is achieved by making a template on a fine mesh film. Then use a squeegee to evenly press the ink through the template mesh onto the substrate (shirt/paper). Each different color is a different screen. Screen printing has not changed much, but tools and equipment have been improving since the beginning. The screen is no longer made of silk, the rubber scraper has a variety of rubbers, and the presses range from simple desktop hinge clamps to huge 50-station automatic presses.

Direct plate making

Method: The method of direct plate making is to first place the photosensitive film of the wrist base coated with photosensitive material on the work surface, and place the stretched wrist screen frame flat on the base, and then place it in the screen frame. Fill in the photosensitive paste and apply pressure with a soft squeegee. After it is fully dried, the plastic film base is removed, and the photosensitive film wrist screen can be used for printing. After development and drying, a screen printing screen is produced.

Process flow: stretched net-degreasing-drying-peeling off the film base-exposure-development-drying-revision-sealing

Indirect plate making

Method: Indirect plate making is to expose the indirect film first, harden it with 1.2% H2O2, develop it with warm water, and dry it to make a peelable graphic film. The film surface of the graphic film is tightly attached to the stretched screen during plate making. , By squeezing to make the glue film and the wet silk screen adhere to each other, peel off the film base, and dry it with air to make the screen printing screen.

Process flow:

1) Stretched net-degreasing-drying

2) Indirect film-exposure-hardening-development

1and2——fitting——blowing-drying——revision——screening

3) Direct mixed plate making method

The photosensitive adhesive layer is first pasted on the screen frame with water, alcohol or photosensitive glue. After drying with hot air, the base of the photosensitive film is peeled off, then the plate is exposed, and the screen is formed after the development process.