Product Decoration Guide: Screen Printing

SCREEN PRINTING FACTS

Screenprinting techniques have come a long way so this popular printing method continues to be one of the most commonly used decoration method in the promotional products industry. Screenprinting provides vibrant colours and can be PMS matched to a logo for brand accuracy. It is economical when printing a single colour.

Why is screen printing so popular?

There are many reasons why screen printing is a popular technique, but the most compelling of these comes from the extensive choice of colours that can be used. Screen printing is effective on darker fabrics too.

Aside from this, the printer can quickly reproduce a design many times. Because a stencil can also be used to replicate a design repeatedly, it is ideal for creating bulk garments and accessories.

Compared to digital printing alone, a professional printing company will be able to achieve a far more intense colouring.

However, due to the complexity of the process overall, there are limitations to the number of colours that can be used in a design.

How does screen printing work?

The most basic screen printing method will involve making a stencil on a mesh screen.

Then, pushing paint or ink through that stencil to create the imprint of your design onto the surface of the chosen material.

One of the most interchangeable factors involved in this process is the various stenciling techniques that can be used. So, while the actual process of printing remains largely the same, there are many ways to create the stencil.

Any designs that are created with the screen printing method can use multiple shades of ink.

However, with a multi-coloured design, it is necessary to apply each individual colour with a separate stencil.

Here are some tips that can maximise the end result, when using screenprinting as a decoration method for T-Shirts and other Promotional Items.

Cotton Fabrics

Cotton and cotton blends are popular choices for most textile screen printers. Cotton yarn is typically multifilament and as such, tends to absorb ink more readily than synthetics.

Silk Fabrics

When printing on silk, particular care is reuired to prevent the fabric from moving around on the print table or platen.

Wool Fabrics

Wool fibres generally offer a less absorbent fabric surface for screen printing. It is not uncommon for wool fibres to retain a coating of lanolin (wool grease).

Acrylic and Polyester Fabrics

Synthetic fibres, including nylon, acrylics and polyester for example, are typically less porous than natural fibres, so one challenge can be getting the screen print ink to actually adhere to them.

Jersey Fabrics

T-shirts are typically made from pure cotton or polyester/cotton blends and constructed as a Jersey knit; this stretchy fabric tends to print quite well. Water based textile inks will provide a superior result compared to plastisol inks that sit on top of the fabric.

Here is a list of the types of items that can be screen printed:

T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Backpacks, Aprons, Flags, Binders, Paper Bags, Ceramics, Glass, Wood, Balloons, Electronics, Medical devices, Signs and displays, Sports equipment like snowboards and skateboards.

Tips

• When printing light colours (e.g. yellow) on dark garments it is necessary to print a white base underneath.
• Screens are cleaned off and used for other designs. This is why repeat orders need to be set up again.
• Surfaces with undulating textures cause screen printers the most concerns
• Depending on the design, normal halftone reproduces at 45-65 dots per inch.
• The industry standard reject rate for screen printing is about 1-2%
• Items multiple layers of fabric thick cannot be printed in more than one colour. The product may move before the next colour is applied and accurate registration is not possible.
• Printing “around the side” or “off the edge” of t-shirts is not possible. Products need to be laid flat in order to print. In this case select T-Shirts without side seams.
• Whenever possible, a sample should be sent with repeat orders to ensure an identical product
• Garments cannot be printed across a seam. If a print up to the seam is required, the flat panels should be printed before the item is made up.

(Courtesy of JEM Promotional Products)

If you have any questions relating to promotional products, please don’t hesitate in contacting us.
JEM Promotional Products
Phone: (02) 8205 1334
E-mail: enquiries@jempp.com.au

Website: www.jempp.com.au