Screen printing is a more traditional way to print on shirts, but there are technological advances always improving the process. Screen printing uses a mesh screen that is placed over the shirt and ink is forced through that screen and onto the shirt. Screen printing uses plastisol ink. This method is good for larger runs and is more cost effective in quantity.
SCREEN PRINTING PROCESS:
ARTWORK
Artwork for screen printing must be reviewed before going to print. Each color in the design must be created properly so that it can be separated easily from the other colors. Read our artwork requirements here. We also offer full design services if you need help creating your artwork from scratch. Contact us to get your project started
PROOFING
In most cases we send you a digital proof via email for you to review the size and location of the print. We will also let you know of any potential issues that may occur and will work with you on solving those issues if necessary. After an approval from you we proceed to the production phase.
COLOR SEPARATION
Once your artwork is approved we start separating the colors in your design that will be made into individual screens. After the art is separated, a film positive is created for each color.
SCREEN BURNING
We take the film positive and burn that image onto individual screens. One screen for each color in the design.
INK MIXING
Plastisol inks are mixed to get the desired color you are looking for. We have many standard inks that are ready to go if needed. Pantone colors are also available.
PRESS SETUP
Each individual screen is put on press and the specific color ink is loaded on the screen.
PRINTING
The next step in the process is the printing. We force the ink through tiny holes the screens and onto the shirts. We repeat this process for each color in the design.
CURING
After the ink is apply to the shirts they need go through a conveyor drying in order to set the ink on the shirt. We can send several shirts through the conveyor at one time.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
- Artwork for screen printing must be properly set up in order to separate the colors for each screen.
- Screen printing uses a plastisol ink as opposed to a water based ink that is used in DTG printing.
- Screen Printing is good for larger runs and is more cost effective in quantity, if you have less then 24 pieces you may want to refer to our DTG printing method.
- If you have a lot of color in your design you may want to consider using a DTG printing method instead of screen.
GET A QUOTE ON YOUR PROJECT HERE