Many bulk printing operations today are centered around screen printing. When it became simple to import silk mesh from the East, a necessary component of screen printing, it initially gained prominence in the 18th century. Due to the simple customization options it provides, screen printing gained popularity in the advertising sector in the 19th century and has since been widely employed across numerous industries, including electronics and retail. Btw, Prints R Us is among the best screen printing service provider in Jacksonville, Florida.
Screen printing: What is it?
A mesh screen, ink, and a squeegee are used in the process of screen printing, also known as silk screening or silkscreen printing, to transfer a stenciled image onto a surface (a rubber blade). Screen printing’s fundamental procedure entails making a stencil on a mesh screen before pressing ink to form and imprint the design on the substrate underneath. Although metal, wood, and plastic can also be used, paper and fabric are the most typical surfaces for screen printing. There are several reasons why this technique is so popular, but the most convincing one is the enormous range of colors that may be employed.
Six primary screen printing techniques
Screen printing techniques come in six varieties. Understanding the various categories is vital because different strategies will yield various results.
Spot color screen printing.
Spot color screen printing is the most used screen printing method. Spot color screen printing utilizes the stock color of the ink by printing it via the mesh’s stencil. This method results in a vivid, solid area of color. Comparatively speaking to other screen printing techniques, it is more easier to use. For example, it might be a great alternative when printing on t-shirts, jackets, and hoodies.
Halfone printing
Single colors in gradients are printed while using halftone printing. One color of ink is used throughout the process, and when viewed from a distance, this color seems half-toned and has a different hue. The best application for this approach is to mimic multi-color printing without actually doing it. Additionally, because only one color of ink is utilized, it is a cost-effective solution.
Grayscale printing
Printing full-color images as halftones or grayscales in one color is a great way to use grayscale printing. If the halftone has more dots, the print will appear more detailed. It is not a black and white method; rather, it just extracts the CMY or RGB or color scales, but in various degrees of grey. One of the most economical screen printing methods, grayscale printing is frequently used to print black and white graphics on textiles.
Double-sided printing
To print the same image in two colors using duotone printing, two halftones are combined. A black halftone is first printed with black ink, followed by the printing of a second halftone using colored ink. Similar to sepia-toned prints used in photography, this method. It produces a polished, artistic impression.
Cmyk (4-color printing)
It is the most intricate method of screen printing. The four primary colors—cyan, magenta, yellow, and black—are used. To create the necessary color tones, these four colors are blended. Although it can be done manually, for optimal results, it should be done automatically.
