Screen Printing Shirts & Silk Screen Printing

What is Screen Printing?

The silk screen printing method involves creating a design, transferring it onto a fine silk screen, and pushing ink through the screen to create the design. Silk screen printing can be used on a variety of materials, in this case, it will be used for custom apparel items, such as a t-shirt or hoodie.
Once the silk screen is set up with the custom design/logo, it can be used over and over again, on different apparel items, with varying ink colors.


Check out our step-by-step process below.

 

What is it used for?

Silk screen printing is extrememly versatile. It can be used for sports team jerseys, family reunion t-shirts, school or work uniforms, branded business apparel, and so much more! The technique itself is ideal for designs and logos that use a single color, or multiple(ideally, 2-5 colors). Whether it's 12 or 1,200 t-shirts, silk screen printing is ideal for families, businesses, teams, organizations, churches, non-profits, schools, etc. Custom screen printed apparel has the power to shape a business, inspire pride in people and what they do, build connections and unite communities.

Check out some customer examples below.

Step-By-Step

Step 1: FINALIZE DESIGN FOR SCREEN PRINTING

The silk screen printing process begins with a design. The design is printed onto a *transparent film, at the size specified.
If the design has more then one color- each color or "layer" will get it's own transparent film. Each transparent will need to be exposed on it's own screen, in step 3.

Step 2: SELECT & PREPARE SILK SCREEN

Select a screen to suit the complexity of the design, and the texture of the fabric being printed. Prepare the silk screen by coating with a layer of light-reactive *emulsion, which will harden when developed under bright light. The transparent film we printed in step 1 will be used once the emulsion has dried.

Step 3: EXPOSE SCREEN

The transparent film is laid onto the prepared, emulsion-coated screen, and the whole thing is exposed to light in the *exposure unit. Light hardens emulsion- so, the parts of the screen not covered by the design will harden. The parts with the design- remain in liquid form.

Step 4: RINSE & DRY SILK SCREEN

Once the silk screen has been exposed, carefully rinse the screen until the design starts to emerge. Continue to rinse until it is clear for ink to pass through. Stand the silk screen up and let dry. Once dried, the screen is ready to test. *If the final design includes more than one color, repeat step 3 with each color.

Step 5: SILK SCREEN TEST PRINTING

Set up the silk screen on printing press and a lay a test garment flat on the printing board, underneath the screen. Check all of print details, ink colors and color placement. Test the design until perfect placement and correct color alignment is achieved. This ensures that the final design will be seamless.

Step 6: FINAL PRINTING

After achieving a perfect test print, the silk screen printing process can begin. Load the custom apparel onto the automated machine as it pulls the ink through the silk screen and prints the design. Run all screen printed apparel through a *coveyer dryer and inspect for perfection.

Definitions:
*Transparent film- A thin sheet of transulcent, flexible material used to transfer
*Emulsion- A photosensitive chemical in semi-liquid form that is applied to a screen
*Exposure unit- A machine that emits UV light to expose screens
*Conveyor Dryer- A steam-heated multistage dryer with conveyor belt

TIP: Silk screens can be reused!
Once the screen has served it's purpose, wash off the emulsion with a spcecial emulsion remover fluid. Rinse and dry, and the screen is ready to be used on another great custom design!

Customer Screen Print designs

Let's bring each other together! Custom printed t-shirts are perfect for families, teams, organizations and more! 

Want to learn more about printing processes?

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