How Does Screen Printing Work
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One of the best, most effective ways to create your own personalized products is screen printing. Screen printing is a process that has been around in some fashion since the year 960 AD. It allows artists and designers to place their artwork and designs adhere to just about any material. It can be something as simple as a monochromatic logo or a multitude of colors. Your options are truly only limited by your imagination.
The Step By Step Process
The first step for the mytshirtkings. Remember, there are few limits to what you can design, but to be honest, simpler designs usually make a better statement, so be careful not to overdo it. Once your design is complete, it is printed in black at the desired size onto a clear acetate called kodatrace.
A thin mesh?mostly like polyester?is stretched tightly over a wooden or metal frame. These screensare coated with photo sensitive emulsion that prevents ink from seeping through where it is not wanted. For each color in your design, you will need a separate screen.
The kodatrace is placed onto a device similar to a light box, while the screens?one for each color?are placed on top of that. It is then exposed to light for a predetermined period of time.
After light exposure is complete, the emulsion is washed away leaving only your design on the screens. Once the screen is dried, it is again coated with emulsion and re-exposed. This is done to solidify the emulsion.
The Technique
Depending on the size of the project, screen printing can be done by hand or automatically using a carousel. A basic carousel might have room for up to four screens at a time, while more advanced ones have eight. A four-arm carousel prints up to four colors at one time, while an eight-arm version can do up to eight.
Each arm of the carousel has a different part of the design and the ink required for that of the design. When the product to be printed on reaches each screen, the screen lowers and the colored ink is press through the mesh placing the design on the product.
After the product?s design is printed completely, it is placed into a large dryer, essentially baking the design into the product.
The product is then checked for quality. Once approved it is shipped to or picked up by the customer.
Finally, screens are then stripped completely of emulsion and prepared for a brand-new design.
Tips For A Successful Design
It bears repeating that simple artwork makes for a more successful design. One-color designs that can be placed on slightly different areas of the product without losing its flair are best.
Paying attention to detail is important, but you never want to overdo it. Your message can get lost if you worry too much about small insignificant details. Keeping it simple is a sure way to a classic design at least that’s been the experience custom t-shirts near me.
