Screen Printing
Screen printing, also known as silk screen printing, is a versatile and widely used technique for applying designs and graphics onto various surfaces, including fabric, paper, glass, ceramics, and more. It's commonly used for creating custom t-shirts, posters, signage, and other promotional materials.
Screen printing is a versatile technique capable of producing high-quality, long-lasting prints. It's popular in various industries, including apparel, promotional products, and fine art printing. I picked up this skill during our country's 2020 quarantine.
A light-sensitive emulsion is applied to the mesh. This emulsion is sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light and allows for the creation of stencils. Once applied, the emulsion is left to dry in a dark room.
A film positive is a clear sheet with the design's positive image printed on it. It is placed on top of the coated screen. The screen is exposed to UV light, and the areas of emulsion that are not covered by the design on the film positive harden, while the covered areas remain soft.
Ink is placed onto the screen above the stencil. A squeegee is used to pull the ink across the screen, pressing it through the open areas of the stencil and onto the material below. The squeegee is typically pulled in one smooth, consistent motion to ensure even ink coverage.