Silk Screen printing is the most traditional and authentic printing process. Tracing back to a few years back, it’s the most precise and on point printing method. It is being used by several manufacturers and merchants all across the globe. Screen printings have been successfully and evidently used for the past 100 years. It has been used for commercial printing and other designing methods. Although there are alternative methods of printing being used, still this traditional method is used quite enough.
Concept of Screen Printing
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Screen printing can be replaced with other methods such as digital printing as well. But with new techniques and concepts of printing coming to the market, silk screen printing’s scope declines. Beautiful patterns of silk weaving are used here. Except that several other techniques of weaving, helps create a fine and rich pattern. That is why silk screen printing has been a constant important method of printing. It creates a finished product which is extremely well done. Thick layers of ink being used in such printing methods, stick to the material strongly enough.
Silk Screen printing has been the oldest form of printing in the world. It is being used by famous designers and models. This makes their brand and product stand out. And bringing the old used techniques back to the age of digital printing is unique. These brands might have a chance to generate higher profits.
Materials Used
Natural fabrics such as cotton or mainly silk are correct material. This means, this material naturally gets imprinted with thick ink. It doesn’t need any major efforts to get imprints done. Another reason for choosing silk screen printing and majorly natural fabrics is to control imprint quality. The quality of prints being made are simply controlled by the kind of machines being used as well. Silk screen printing is a faster and quick way of getting printings done.
Steps of Printing Process
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Screen printing is being widely used these days. But at the same time, there are several ways it is being used. Below mentioned are the steps for silk screen printing-
Step 1- Design Making
This means the first and foremost step to getting the printing process started is by deciding the design. And making it in the right kind of method. A transparent and clear acetate film used to create the starting initial design. This is then directed to create a stencil or screen.
Step 2- Making the Screen Ready
Not one size is accessible with all kinds of printing. Therefore as per the requirement, this pattern also needs to change. A mesh screen is being used, a light reactive emulsion is used to coat and then it is used.
Step 3- Emulsion
The film or screen is now finally used to get it exposed with an emulsion coated mesh. It helps to get its colour and design efficiently. The emulsion dries, hardens and then can be used as a print stencil.
Step 4- Creating the stencil
Before letting the emulsion dry, one must see that all areas are covered nicely. Position of the stencil depends on how precise the print will be. The stencils need to be precise. That is to make sure the prints are quality wise and rich enough.
Step 5- Preparing
The next step is to prepare for the final printing process. Screen is to be placed at a right position, where the final print is to be done. A layer of ink is being spread over the stencil. The stencil is then placed over the material. And the print is finally made. Then it’s left to get dried through.
Benefits of Silk Screen Printing
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Being the most used and famous printing method in the world today, it is an extremely important one. There are a lot many benefits and advantages of using this. It can be enlisted as-
1. Several Types of Inks
One need not use the same category or colour of ink. Silk screen printing allows you to explore as many as possible inks. This also enhances the types of prints that can be made. The piece being made is finished off nicely and is of rich quality.
2. Cost Friendly
This implies how big the order is. Based on that, the printing cost can be controlled and saved. The bigger the order, the cheaper or controlled spending levels for raw materials.
3. Long Lasting and Good Quality
This means that the imprints are there to stay for long. And also, they allow a fine and rich quality of prints to be made. Quality of print remains intact over time. Unlike how other printing methods might dull the print. With time prints dull, but this might not happen here.
4. Special Kind of Garments
The ability to print the ink and make it an easy print is difficult. Due to this, special kinds of garments like scarves and pillow cases might face difficulty. To make prints on these garments, it is important to get the way through. And silk screen printing is the best way.
5. Effective Printing
This implies the texture and good quality of the prints. Silk screen printing allows a fine print to be done on the cloth. That is why sometimes, even the price of such pieces are higher in the market.
Final Word
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Silk screen printing is being used for several kinds of printings. The t-shirts, canvases, posters all around. This is a widely used method. But at the same time, it is a method that needs to be used with utmost care and attention. It has now been almost above 100 years for which this method is being used in the market.
It is a printing technique which uses brand awareness to create better products. And thus offers implemented results in returns. Earlier years, canvases were used with simple stencils to create art. As time proceeded, it went on to other levels of printing. It became necessary to realise the need and importance of silk screen printing.
Marketing methods these days involve usage of such printed canvases on a grand level.
You can also read more about printing for beginners.
